RandySBreth

I'll agree with the wise folks above- both. For heavy flippin' it'll be casting gear, but for an 1/8-ounce bullet weight and 4" finesse worm it'll be spinning.

It should be hot enough by now to ditch the waders and wade wet. Much more comfortable. Nice fish, too! 8-)

Remember you can color your braid any color you want with Sharpie's. Even before it fades...

The Bass Pro outlet store (returns, discontinued, overstocks, etc.) has them all the time for about 30.00 -40.00, so I wouldn't pay more for that for a used one. That being said, I have a couple and although they aren't the finest or best or flashiest, they are definitely a good, solid, and dependable reel. I have one in the 40 size I've used pretty steady for about 2 years and it seems to get smoother as time goes on.

I like a leader about 1-foot longer than the rod I'm using it on- 7' rod, about a 8-foot leader.

As long as you don't weaken the line up from the end with the heat, and it puts your mind at ease, I don't see the problem.

There are other titanium spinnerbaits out there (Strike King, Stanley) but the Terminator are just more well known. I used the bleep out of the Terminator Custom Compact Tungsten models for a few years, but I really don't like their hooks. Seems kind of cheap to me for paying that amount of $. The frames do hold up really well.

Fluoro is all I use for jerkbaits, but it's as a leader on my superline, whether it's Fireline or Braid.

This is right on. I just sweep the rod a little on the side I'm already retrieving it on. Of course, I'm using braid, too. ;D

This line was rumored to be Toray, but I don't think it's made by the same folks, and the contact I have a Bass Pro won't (or can't?) tell me who makes it for them. I've used it, and it's very strong. I only use it for leader w/superline, so I could't tell anyone how it works "full spool".

Look at cufishin, the master of the ironic statement! That has to be the funniest thing I've read in weeks. ;D

2/10 Spiderwire Stealth and Orvis "Mirage" 2X leader material, tied together with a barrel swivel.

I can cast with either hand, spinning, casting, or fly, but I'm better in the accuracy department with casting left handed. I was probably supposed to be left handed, but I'm old enough that they used to try to "cure" you of using your left for writing and whatever in school, and since I could write with my right I wound up using both pretty well. Not necessarily a bad thing.

I haven't used one the BPS carbonlite rods, but they are light and feel like a much higher-priced rod. No matter what you choose, I'd go 6'6" or 7' and medium action, the most versatile spinning rod for most Bass fishing.

I think you mean medium POWER fast action versus medium POWER moderate/fast action. I think. Anyway, most people like a faster action for soft plastics, jigs, in other words, lure you feel the bite, then set the hook. Some people like a more moderate action for moving baits like spinnerbaits, crankbaits and things that you are already reeling and the fish takes its as you are retrieving it, the theory being that the softer powered rod gives the fish an extra second to "get the bait in it's mouth". I don't necessarily agree with that theory, but as far a spinning gear goes I think a faster actioned medium power rod is more versatile, but the difference between one brand's "Fast" action and another's "Moderate/Fast" can be hard to tell apart.

The last time I asked, the Shimano Rep said the line capacity you see at their web site and on their packaging is their recommendation. It's not like you have to use that, but it's a starting point.

Superline (Fireline or PowerPro) with fluoro leader. But you knew I'd say that.

Whatever is the line diameter the reel manufacturer recommends in mono, don't go smaller than that. Like most have said, I had the best results with line that equals the diameter of 10- or 12-pound mono as a minimum.

Kalin's 5" grub, matched to the color of the lure. My favorite. 8-)

Absolutely false. With 4/10 Fireline I can get lures 2- to 4-feet deeper than they are rated for with 10-pound test diameter line. The diameter of the line, and the water resistance created by it are they elements that determine diving depth of a lure. Braid (or fused, Fireline isn't braided) doesn't float enough to make a difference any more than Fluorocarbon sinks. Cranking is about line diameter and it's ability to "cut through" the water under tension.

What these already guys said is spot on. I consider my 6-weights good for creek Smallies, and for fun fishing, and my 8-weights better for general Bass fishing. 7-weight splits the difference. For really big fish, or heavy cover, the 9-weight comes out to play. Most folks consider an 8-weight a basic Bass rod. Tapered leaders will work for bigger flies, you just need the right leader, no little 4X type stuff.

3000 huge? Hmm. I use 4000 size spinners all the time. Less line twist longer casts, etc. 2500 size reels aren't bad, but they aren't really anydifferent than 3000. Maybe you need a lighter reel instead of size being the issue? Steez, or maybe something easier on the wallet like the Pflueger Supreme?

x2 X3

I love the whole XRap line of lures. The Shads are really good, I like the shallow version as a jerkbait for when fish are busting smaller shad on top, or as a river lure, or really any time I'm fishing shallow. The deeper versions I use like any other crankbait, but I have had success with reeling it in, then twitching it near a specific piece of cover, like a jerkbait, in cooler water. Colors? I like that Purple in clear water, but really all the colors are good.