Kidflex

The Berkeley havoc series bottom hoppers float. They moved that line to the powerbait series and of course increased the price. Find some regular havoc bottom hoppers

If I’m using a true stand up shakey head I like using floating worns like the Berkeley bottom hopper and grande bass air tail. If I’m using football or round heads I’ll just use the zoom trick worm.

30lb braid. Not too hard to break off if snagged. Will probably get most of your baits back if snagged. It’ll blend in with the grass and you’ll get solid hook sets. That’d be my choice.

Your logic is fine with the use of a heavier powered rod for better hooksets. If it’s working, stick with it. If you want to try a medium heavy that’s longer than what your using-go for it. The extra length will move more line and generate more speed when setting the hook. If your wrist never gets back it’s full strength you might want to consider using your other arm and changing your retrieve side. Ie- switching to a left handed reel.

If the drag is slipping while setting the hook then there’s the problem. Tighten it where it doesn’t slip with hookset. I’m assuming your rod has the backbone to drive the hook.

Try a Plano 3607. It’s a medium sized box with no dividers. It’ll hold plenty of spinnerbaits and buzzbaits (loosely of course) and not take up much room.

I wouldn’t bother going to a 7’1” in the same power, really not much of a difference. If you do get another rod get it in medium/heavy. Idk what kind of hook & soft plastic combo your having issues with, I’ll suggest using owner J light hooks or their all purpose hook. Minimal effort for the medium powered rod to penetrate with these lighter wire hooks.

Hammer 7’3” hvy or 7’3 xhvy. Strong and super light. Nice bend along the blank and can do what you need it to do.

Hammer rods. My 7’3 hvy hammer is as light as my nrx853.

I’ve caught plenty of bass working the bottom with a Texas rigged D bomb

They both do. They are the top 2 in the industry. It’s all personal preference.

Use those at night too. Ive caught some nice bass on jigs at night. Couple of my favorite night time baits are baby brush hogs & 10” worms.

I’d recommend forgetting copolymer and go with braid and whatever leader you want. I love using yellow braid and a fluorocarbon leaded for wacky rigs. The bright line helps detect those subtle bites.

If money’s that tight, just use the lightning rod. It’ll work just fine.

I’m not catching nowhere near the numbers as bassfanatic but I’ve been catching more fish every year since 2015. I started when the lake was full of grass but I’ve had better luck with the lack of grass.

Try using a 4/0 size hook. You’ll have to go up in weight though. The hook thickness shouldn’t be noticeable. Also can try a different brand. There are many companies that use the same design.

It is amazing brand. The jigging and popping guys love it. It is smooth and reliable. Is it worth the money? That’s debatable. I’m not familiar with their freshwater lines but the saltwater lines were top notch. My experience with their lines were 10 years ago and they were ahead of anybody in PE lines at the time. Nowadays many manufacturers are making great lines.

The curado 70 will be perfect for the fluke. I like using a med/heavy rod vs a medium. I also use 4/0-5/0 gamakatsu skip gap hooks for them. 15lb quality fluoro line also. They catch many fish, good luck.

Problem with senkos and other weightless techniques is somethings the bass take the lure deep and the line can rub across the teeth. This happens more than we like to admit. I lost a very nice fish recently using 15lb tatsu and my hook was deep in its mouth. after a few jumps and heavy head thrashing the line was cut as I tried to lip it. I’d use braid to leader and upsize your leader.

I love fishing red colored worms. Redbug, plum apple, red shad. Especially mid to late summer.

Night fishing time!

I like the ultra speed craw for t rigs pitching into brush and working the bottom, mainly because they hold up and are cheap. I like the rage craws on football jigs. I really don’t like the long loose arms of the v&m wild thang craws.

I have the CT, CT type r and the 100’s. The 100’s are better to me palming wise. Cast and retrieve- they are all similar. All great reels.

I agree it’s an amazing rod and even better with a bantam mgl on it!

Assuming your fishing from the bank, I’d use flukes, trick worms and sluggos around vegetation. Also would try a light mojo rig with a French fry or finesse worm