RandySBreth

This is a question that really depends on what size spinnerbait you're gonna throw, and what kind of line you're gonna use to do it - a lot like the "which combo for crankbaits?" question. It depends. For compact spinnerbaits up to about 1/2 ounce (which is what I use most of the time) I like a 7' Med/Fast to Fast action, Medium Power casting rod. Seems a little soft at first, but that's O.K. because I use braid on this set-up, so I need a little "give" somewhere in there. For bigger lures like the 3/4 ounce compact "burners" or big full 1-ounce slow rollers I like a Medium Heavy power, again with braid. For tiny buzzers and spinnerbaits (like the "Pond Magic" ones) I like the same spinning combo I use for inline (Mepps style) spinners. No one rod will work very well for all these different lures.

Zell Pop for me, too. Any color.

You said "favorite" instead of what catches the most fish, so I'll say one of my own Bass Bugs, either Deer Hair or Foam. Most Fish? Clouser Minnow.

It's good to have back-ups. What happens when you break a rod during the last day of practice before a tournament? Or when you take a buddy along and the fish are really keying in on a specific technique best presented with a certain set-up?

Powerbait craw on finesse jigs. http://www.texasbasstackle.com/ProdImages/Berkley%20Power%20Craw%203in%20Color%20Chart.jpg

I guess I'm the heretic on the whole trailer hook thing, as I never use one. If the Bass are striking short or missing, your retrieve, lure size, or color is off.

I use a 7' Medium power spinning rig for those and soft jerkbaits, and don't have any problem with getting a hook in the fish, but I'm also using the superline/fluoro leader thing, so that helps. 8-)

The did have a rough patch there for a while, but some of the new ones feel and look pretty nice, especially considering the price.

I use super glue and a regular straight shank Gammy ball head jig. Works better, for cheaper. ;D Actually , I don't know what those cost, so I guess if you're allergic to the super glue (or are prone to gluing yourself to stuff or yourself ) it looks like a good option.

I like the finesse jig advice. You'll catch everything on them. I've caught Crappie on an Eakins before, that's just plain funny.

I fish lots of small-to-medium rivers over here in the Ozarks, but of course my rivers tend to be pretty clear. When they are a little muddy, I like to use cranks and spinnerbaits, well, I like to use cranks and spinnerbaits when they're clear, too! But I think you'll do good using some lures with a little more noise and vibration in off-colored water. One thing that lot's of folks don't get about Smallmouths in current is when the water is warmest they can be super-aggressive. July, August, and September are my best months for big Smallies from these rivers, and I usually catch them burning a spinnerbait, bouncing a crank though flooded timber, or aggressively working a topwater or wakebait. When the water is at it warmest, think KVD and fish fast. Some days you'll have to slow it down a notch, but a majority of the time speed works.

All of the "large arbor" spools are basically the same idea.http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.protackleoutfitters.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/5e06319eda06f020e43594a9c230972d/a/r/arbor_sp.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.protackleoutfitters.com/fishing-reels/pflueger-arbor-series-7430x-spinning-reel.html&usg=__ON0ITVwwNojTALoDrrIwvcASS_Q=&h=300&w=300&sz=14&hl=en&start=2&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=6R8gHV8s_SNqDM:&tbnh=116&tbnw=116&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dnew%2Bpflueger%2Barbor%2Bspinning%2Breels%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26tbs%3Disch:1http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.reelreporter.com/freshwater-reels/bass-pro-shops/images/Bass-Pro-Shops-Pro-Qualifier.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.reelreporter.com/freshwater-reels/bass-pro-shops/bass-pro-shops-pro-qualifier-spinning-reel.php&usg=__x2HNtaNBtMstGhC_Nr4tuUs64TQ=&h=250&w=250&sz=11&hl=en&start=2&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=7FHM9h_Qum-EGM:&tbnh=111&tbnw=111&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dbass%2Bpro%2Bpro%2Bqualifier%2Bspinning%2Breel%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26sa%3DX%26tbs%3Disch:1

I heard about 49-50 in the backs of South-facing coves, mostly mid-40's everywhere else. Should be warming up this week. Which would be nice.

Yeah, that stuff is VERY visible. One of my "ocular challenged" (coke-bottle glasses) buddies uses it. I told him "I can see that stuff in the dark with my eyes closed!"

I use superline (Fireline or PowerPro) with a fluorocarbon leader for finesse stuff, and most everything else, really. No line issues to speak of, great hook-sets, and I don't have to use much of the more expensive fluoro at one time, so a "filler" (100-yard) spool last quite a while. Of course, you do have to learn to tie a couple of new knots well to do it that way... 8-) Fluoro is great, but kind of a pain on spinning gear.

I just use cheap 8 or 10-pound mono, and attach my main line to it with back to back Uni knots. That's it. 8-)

North of the Missouri River? Not so much. If you look at a map of the geologic region called "The Ozarks", you're pretty much looking at the range of Smallmouth Bass in the region. http://ozarkcritters.net/img/OzarkOverview.jpg

Everything already listed.

I fished it a little last late summer/fall. It does come through wood really well, and the color I bought (Chartreuse Purple Shiner) got plenty of attention from the Smallmouth. One tip, if you get one with the Sure-Set hook, either replace the front one or turn it around so the longer tine of the treble is trailing behind, the longer front hook will hang on everything if you don't. After fixing that, it bounces off wood and is pretty hard to snag.

They're O.K. I prefer Kalin grubs to either. Less expensive, and better tail action at low speeds.

It's like using a spinning rod for casting fly line- it can be done, but there are plenty of inexpensive light action spinning rods out there that are meant for that purpose. I'll echo the response above - don't give up on the fly rod. Go and get a casting lesson or two. If I had to choose the perfect tool for catching panfish out of water shallower than 4-5 feet, it's a good fly rod set-up.

This is the advice you are really looking for. ALL suspending baits require "tuning" if you want perfect suspension - even Lucky Craft. Water density varies according to temperature, so a lure that suspends perfectly at 50 degrees may sink in 60 degree water, and float up if it's 40 degrees. That's why God created lead. ;D

I have one of the Browning Safari spinning rods, the 7' they rate as Med/Fast, 3-piece. I'd rate it as Medium Light/Fast. One of my favorite rods for smaller cranks and jerkbaits and topwaters. Although a 3-piece, it's very sensitive.

If you do buy rods in person from BassPro (or any retailer) don't buy the display model out on the store floor. Who knows how many times people have tried to pole vault with it, dropped it, sword fighting - whatever. Have them get one out of stock in the back. Most folks I know that have had a "catastrophic failure" (rod breaking on a hook set) bought it off the store rod rack. Don't do it.

For cold water (letting it suspend for 30 seconds or longer by a piece of cover) the XCaliber XS4. For the more traditional "twitch-twitch-pause" thing, XRap.