bigturtle

Looks like a norman bait https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/catpage-NRMNBTS.html?from=basres

braid with mono leader

I use alberto knot for 30lb braid to 14lb mono. 5 wraps up, 5 down. I usually tie a 15-20ft leader, and I retie my leader line every few trips. havnt had it break in quite a few years.

LV500

I have the honeycomb finesse spool for my tatula, works pretty good. I might give the HLC one a try

Fenwick has that kind of rating on certain rods as well, its probably an error, I dont know how you can make a rod with that kind of tolerance.

I use a beaver, a craw with no action, craw with lots of action, worms and flukes.

inline spinners

of course you have to account for the weight of the worm, its not like worms are weightless. depending on the size of the worm, it may or may not matter. For example, most 5" baits weigh around 1/4oz-3/8oz. If you put a 3/8oz sinker, you will get a total weight of around 3/4oz. if your rod if only rated to 1/2oz, it might break when you cast it.

if its deformed, throw it away. the deformity may cut your line

SK space monkey

Used uni knot for almost 10 years, only had knot failure once

Lucky craft pointer, lighting pointer, and daiwa sp minnow

With a swivel, you are just adding more points of failure to your system. Instead of 1 connection knot, you now have 2 knots and the swivel itself to worry about. Not worth. Learn a connection knot, like alberto knot, instead of using a swivel. Some of us here spent a lot longer than 30min perfecting their knots, and its worth the practise.

Topwater

Depends on what type of guides you have. Low end stainless steel guides may get grooved, ceramic guides shouldnt be a problem

That rod is fine

veritas rule??

i use a 7.3:1 for all swimbaits, hard or soft, under 8". I dont find it hard to grind in a fish or hard to work the baits.

AGS guides have SiC inserts, you treat them like any other guides, run whatever line you want, nothing is going to break. My friend has the steez AGS, used braid to fluoro and braid to mono for close to a year, no sign of wear.

slowly rotate the glasses in front of any screen, like your phone. if it slowly turns black as you turn, its polarized

If it bites, I sets. Fish, frog, dog, seagull, human, all fair game.

really? most of the jerkbaits I know suspends nose down. its suppose to do that

read your owner's manual on how to open the side plate. if you like the brakes at 1/2 setting, then do the same thing here, push half of the pins in, half out.

Fenwick eagle is also a good entry rod