HoosierHawgs

6'6" for longer cast. This is very important when it comes to smallmouth in clear water IMO. I go to a shorter 6'0" when I'm hiking into the creek I wade because I don't need to make such long cast, and I don't want to bust the tip.

I use my flipping setup (7'6" Heavy Baitcaster W/ a 7.1:1 Reel and 50# braid) because I usually fish them in pretty thick cover. Braid will help the chatterbaits action IMO.

Accuracy= increased. This is due to less line slap. Distance= decreased due to the increase in line creating friction with the guides. Just my 2 cents

Also, I use 12# mono on the first, 50# braid on the second, 12# fluoro on the 3rd and 20# braid w/ an 8# fluoro leader on the spinning

I fish from a kayak, and I usually take about 6 combos w/me. This is a bit much, bit it covers everything. But if I had to take three, it Would be a 6'6" medium Casting paired w/a 6.4:1 Reel for all around (spinnerbaits, topwater, jerkbaits, ect) a 7'6" Heavy castong w/a 7.1:1 reel for fliping, pitching, swimbauts, and frogs and either 6'6 or 7' Medium Heavy casting w/a 7.1:1 reel or a 6'6" medium spinning w/a 5.4:1 reel for plastics. Obviously you would tailor this to your style of fishing

With a lipped crank, you will catch SOME fish without hitting anything, but your crank will be MOST effective when it is hitting something. Whether its digging into the bottom, ripping out of weeds, bouncing of rocks and stumps, or crawling through deadfall. What this does is cause the action of the lure to change, or be "erratic", which is what causes a fish that is interested/following to strike your lure.Don't be afraid to get snagged or rip weeds w/your baits. It's annoying, but if you don't fish these area, you are missing out on a lot of fish, and a lot of dun!

Lew's Tournament or Tournament MB. All my other reels are good.

In terms of the amount you will fetch for them, I would keep them. I don't know about the new ones, but I've seen one sitting on a combo w/a Falcon rod used for like $100, maybe less.. And it has been sitting there for a few weeks.. Just my 2 cents.

There is just a point in terms of price where it is not going to fish any better. It might last longer, or be lighter, but the fact is if you take a $50 rod, and pair it with a $100 reel, and take care of it, its going to fish just as well, and last a long time. There is a point where price and quality meet, and you just have to find that place.

I would get any where from 1/16 all the way to 12 or 3/8, but no heavier. This all depends on the depth you are fishing, what tackle you are using, what the wind speed is, and the mood of the bass. But I always throw the lightest weight that I can get away with. You want just enough weight to be able to cast, feel, and keep contact with the bottom. The slower the fall, generally the more strikes you will get. Especially the initial drop.

Or rubbing alcohol and a shop rag worls just as well. I clean the handle at the end of every season

I always use cheaper rods. The most expensive rod I own is $50. I also really enjoy Berkley Rods. I fish all Lew's reels, but refuse to buy one that is more than $180. Most of them are $100 or less. I usually buy them used at half price for the more expensive ones. Never had the kinda money to throw at 6 Shimanos. Its just not worth it.

Same here. To me EVA just feels cheap. I think a good quality cork balances just as well. Plus, EVA holds onto fish slime and dirt a lot worse. I don't mind quality EVA reel grips though.

Honestly, I'd by a Lew's. The lowest model can be had for $80... I picked up two lightly used for $40 each. But they're are models from that lowest price, all the way too $200+. But the best $/feature is probably the LFS for $100. I would say that's comparable. Or the Tournament MB, which ways in at 6.7 ounces, and has extreme castability.

It depends on the use of it. If you use braid as a main line while throwing lipped crankbaits, you'll just end up with a frustrating day. Also, you are probably using a bad crank, or your rod just isn't that sensitive. I throw lipless baits w/12# mono, and can feel them and set the hook just fine. Braid is OK for topwater, but I would not fish it with treble hook lures. I use mono exclusively for topwater, spinnerbaits, ceankbaits, and lipless baits. I only use braid when I am flipping heavy cover.

Bang for the buck is the biggest thing I look for. I'm definitely willing to sacrifice certain things to get others. I prefer an aluminum frame, but I have fished with Graphite frames, and they work just fine. I like a reel to have at least 8 bearings. I prefer to stay w/ one brand, that way I can go from one to the other w/ ease.

There are all kinds of reels you can find in this price range. *** has a great article about low cost casting reels, but the one I would recommend to you is a Lew's Speed Spool Reel. At $99 they are I your price range, and are loaded with features, including 10 bearings, 14# of max drag, custom knob handles, and are quite lightweight and palmable. They are very solid reels. I would also recommend the Bass Pro Shops Reels, or Cabela's reels made by Daiwa. They have less of a following than the BPS brands, but they are feature loaded for the price. Many of them are on sale right now. But the best in my opinion is the Lew's.

It surely is!

Hello to all from Central Indiana! I just joined the forum, and figured I'd post here. I like to fish mainly for largemouth, but I do mix a lot of smallmouth techniques into m bag of tricks. I like to power fish when the conditions are right, but I find my strenght is finesse. I'm usually the kinda guy who downsizes his presentations, fishes w/ natural colors, and fishes baits w/out rattles. This all changes in dirty water of course! My biggest weakness is dragging the bottom w/ a Carolina Rig or a Football Jig.. I've never been good at it! I usually fish small reservoirs in the area, but I do find time to get out onto big water, Eagle Creek and Racoon (Cecil M Harden) Lake being my favorites. I also do quite a bit of surf fishing when visiting family in Florida. Hope to contribute and learn from others! Thanks, Jake