Mr. BattleArmor

Keep mine in the bags because of how hot it is down here, they tend to bleed into each other if colors are together and with the amount of plastics i carry, its more more space efficient to keep them in the bags anyway. Although in my saltwater box i have them in the box, thats cause I only use a few artificial lures compared to when bass fishing.

In the morning if the water is calm I will always use top water. I will stop if they just aren't hitting it, or until they stop hitting it

Bluegill, Chrome blue back, and chart. black back

Check out Kevin Bullington on youtube, i'm pretty sure he has reviewed them.

Agreed, I never use a weight when fishing a fluke, and it's been one of my most successful baits.

3/0 offset worm hook. just works for me, i use this hook for most of my worms including 6 and 9 inch ribbon tails. never had a problem

If you really can only have 1 combo i'd say go for Ugly Stik inshore lite, which is a much more sensitive rod than the gx2, then get the Penn in 3000 size. Either way i'd still recommend just two different set ups. i don't really believe in targeting a small fish when the same fish has the ability to be big. as in i've caught huge fish on lures you'd think would target smaller fish. I caught my biggest bass on a 5" worm, and my biggest red on a 4" doa, you just never know. but if it had to be one combo, it'd be the one i listed.

I'll be in the office!

I'd just save a few extra pennies and grab a Pflueger President

Understandable, well if it's from those two I'd still get the second option, you are right about the XF action.

I rinse off my rod, reel and lures when saltwater fishing. Not everyone does the lures but thats just how I was raised, and it's what I do. I don't know what rod you use for bass now, but it probably won't be well suited for saltwater fishing down here. It's hard to target "light saltwater fish". you could be going for some smaller trout and hook a huge snook or red. trust me, it happens, you just never know down here lol. that's why I would recommend (if your wallet allows) just trying to get something saltwater specific. Ugly stick lite is a fine option and even has a rebate right now which would made it like 30$. just leave the bass gear at home for bass fishing. hope this helps, its just my personal experience.

I mean I guess technically one rod could do anything you want it to, it's just a matter of if it will be suited to perform what you ask of it. But for a budget I'd suggest starting off with three, something for plastics : I use a 6'9" Carbonlite something for jigs and frogs or heavier stuff in general: I use a 6'6" Medium Heavy Fast action. I prefer the shorter length for the fishing i do. something for treble hook lures: I use a 6'6" Medium parabolic action glass rod. Wide range of options there but those three pretty much cover what you'll need when starting out. and as you get more experienced you can add from there depending how your fishing evolves. but those three have worked for me for quite a while. And to be clear, I almost never carry all three at one time, unless on my kayak. the most I'll carry is two, and thats depending on the spot I am fishing. 99% of the time I have my Carbonlite, and then I'll add one of the other two depending where I am fishing at.

in my opinion if you are looking to add a rod for a specific purpose, why does it also need to be versatile? pick the rod that suits your purpose better, and you will be happier in the long run. especially when you catch fish!

I've done similar and experienced mixed results, but it's worth a try

Browning Silaflex

If weighted, do you usually just drag it along the bottom or hop it? Or just kind of see what the fish prefer?

Nice, the usual haha. With a weight or weightless?

Anyone down here have any luck with brush hogs or lizards? What colors? I've never tried them but was interested in trying something new this summer. I almost always have a worm or frog tied on.

Carbonlite and Pflueger President is what I always suggest for people in the price point. Fantastic set up, that you won't be wanting to replace any time soon.

I bring 3 rods with me. First is 6'9" Medium lights Fast action for plastics. Second is a 6'6" Medium heavy Fast action, which I use for frogs and jigs, anything heavier. And third is 6'6" Medium Moderate action, thats for anything with treble hooks, crank baits, topwater, etc. I tend to go a bit shorter because of the spots I fish, there are times you don't have the space to cast, or, with the rods standing up in the back it adds that hazard of them hitting branches or brush, etc. Depends on the spot you fish too. Accessories wise you seem ok, is the anchor rigged with a trolley system? that is something to consider. Also maybe another rod holder depending how you see fit. i fish all kinds of presentations, and yes I do fish finesse from the kayak. Actually probably 70% of the time I'm using plastics. The other times are frogs or topwater/ crank baits, depending on where you are fishing, and the conditions. One of my favorite things to do is actually drag a worm from the bank into the water. However I've never fished drop shot on the kayak, no particular reason. But shaky heads, wacky rigs, ribbon tail worms, it all works great for me. Most people use a milk crate to keep all their gear in a kayak, which is one good option. I usually just throw my tackle bag in right behind me and i'm good to go. Depends how much gear you bring, I usually just pack for the spot I'm going to. If I know I'm going somewhere with lots of lillypads, I'll be sure to bring all my frogs, etc.

As was said before, spinnerbaits don't require as hard as a hooks et as t rigs. For texas rigs i actually suggest hook setting hard but not keep it straight up. Lots of school of thought on this, but for me I set the hook up, and then go to more to the side. if I stay up, then if the fish comes towards me, or jumps, then I have no leverage to keep pressure on the fish, besides trying to anticipate it with my reel. When I set the hook and go a little bit to the side, maybe like at 3 o clock, I have the extra ability to pivot my torso, and play the fish to keep pressure on. It's hard to explain through text, but in practice it works for me. Again, lots of people have lots of different opinions, but thats just mine. If you can see the fish take your bait, try just letting him move with it, and then set it. For t rigs I know a lot of beginners tend to prematurely set the hook because the feel the bite, but I usually suggest just wait a split second, let them get the bait in their mouth, and then set it. You could be just pulling the bait out of it's mouth.

Nothing like a good ole' top water strike!

3/0 offset worm Gamakatsu for me

Nothing in fishing is definitive... sometimes they strike again, sometimes they don't. I've never noticed a consistent pattern.