blckshirt98

Look into the Phenix Feather line of rods. Bang for the buck is arguably the best on the market right now.

Shimano's been doing some strange things to their customer service the past few years, from no longer honoring warranties on older rods that had "lifetime" guarantees, to newer rods not having the lifetime guarantee altogether. I guess they're phasing out support for their older reels as well.

PowerPro and Sufix 832 - both are easy to find everywhere and usually on sale. Haven't found anything bad about them that would make me want to try something else, and the other superlines I have tried (Slick8, Nanofil), I didn't care for.

The lowest I've tried is 8lb PowerPro and it's worked fine for me. I've used it straight attached to smaller bass reaction baits like squarebills, and also with a fluoro leader for dropshotting and trout reaction baits like Kastmasters and spinners. No issues with the line for me that I can recall. Also 8lb test is much stronger than the 8lb rating, it'll slice through skin before it breaks.

"Best" is kind of subjective, it depends on what suits you. I tried a Powell Max 3D Composite crankbait rod for smaller squarebills that I got at half price, and absolutely hated it because it was too light and the handle was short. For smaller and lighter squarebills (up to KVD 1.0/1.5 size) I get the best control and cast distance using my spinning gear with straight braid, you might want to give that a shot for your smaller crankbaits before buying a new setup. KVD 2.5 size and up I prefer to use casting gear, though what one person may amazing, another person may dislike.

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Has anyone tried using a front pack, like they use for fly-fishing? I'm curious because if you don't need to bring too much stuff, having everything there in front of you so you don't have to keep taking your pack off and on would be really convenient.

I always have a quick snap of some sort attached - Norman Speed Clip or Decoy V-Snap. If I need to use a leader I'll use a swivel (usually smallest size Spro Power Swivel) and connect it to the quick snap.

Drop shot something small and just twitch the rod tip without reeling in. Put on enough weight so the wind/current doesn't move it. Just leave the plastic out there for 1-2 minutes, almost like bait fishing, barely moving the rod tip every 10 seconds or so.

Depending on how many squarebills you have you want to swap out hooks on, it can get kind of expensive. I've compromised where instead of swapping out both hooks I'll swap out the rear hook with the ones that KVD uses (the Mustad 2x Short Triple Grips). Choosing the rear one is to put the extra weight towards the back of the lure for casting purposes.

Phenix XG-3 glass rod!

I have some Vibragrubs and like I do with most of my plastics - dropshot!

I throw my chatterbaits on a Phenix XG glass rod with a full fluoro spool and haven't had any noticeable problem with fish throwing the hook. What kind of line are you using with your chatterbaits?

In my experience any kind of line burn ruins the integrity/strength of fluoro. Is it possible that when the backlash occurred it caused line burn on a spot where the tangle was, or, when picking the backlash out you caused a burn spot?

Blanks can be made "to spec" and it's up to the company to make sure they're manufactured to spec. I'll put the Phenix blanks/rods up against any that are American made. The reputable companies I have no hesitation about buying, it's the smaller companies that won't disclose information where I'd have my doubts.

My first tackle bag was an old soft sided Army Signal Corps radio bag - it had a shoulder strap, fit Plano's, had a divider on the inside, and had two inner side pockets for pliers/personal items. It was perfect until I started to buy more tackle/plastics and needed more space. I still use it to hold scents and misc tools.

More rods than reels for me, especially when it comes to spinning gear. With casting gear it's more even, but would still skew it towards rods. using braid with a leader makes it easy to interchange techniques with different rods with fewer types of spools.

Yamamoto Kut Tails for me, use them on the dropshot and easily have over 1,000 of the things...

Fishing specific backpacks/bags are over-engineered and overpriced, though if you can afford the luxury they have some nice features. Any backpack will work but I recommend getting one that fits comfortably and depending on how much you take/how long you'll be fishing, to get one with padded shoulder straps and a chest strap for better balance and to take some of the load off your shoulders.

I tried it once but I had issues with wind knots but the bigger issue was it was breaking on me in random spots, like someone took a pair of scissors to the line. Just clean cuts in the middle of the line during a hookset.

Flylining live minnows in junior high was how I started bass fishing. Stick on on a hook and toss it out, wait for the limp line to suddenly shoot out/straighten out, and set the hook. Was the closest thing to a guaranteed fish next to dough bait for bluegills!

Live minnows might be arguably the best bait for bass, real or artificial.

Agree 100%. I don't see any situation where a LMB would cause a flex or a failure in the reel housing. I do have a couple of rods where I hear some creaking on reel seat screwdown because the screwdown is made of plastic (or graphite composite?), but the reel itself is solid.

So I'm trying to convince some friends to take a chartered fishing trip up to Alaska next year. One grew up in Michigan and fished growing up, but 2 of them have never touched a fishing rod. We might have a weekender up in Tahoe sometime this summer/fall, and as a feeler to see how they like fishing I'm thinking about getting a private 4-pack boat up in Lake Tahoe. Anyone know which guide service up there would be the best for a group like that? It looks like mackinaw is best in the wintertime so it would probably be a kokanee trip. Also in case they don't like it and want to spend the weekend gambling or other things, are there any good shore fishing bass lakes up near South Lake Tahoe on the California side (not looking to spend the $$ for a non-resident Nevada license)? If not bass then I'm okay with floating some PowerBait for trout too. Would just be looking for the best chances at catching something.

2 piece rods are there for storage/portability but selection can be VERY limited (pretty much just spinning rods). If you have the means to store/transport 1 piece rods, stick with 1 piece rods because it's easier to find the rod you need without having to jump through hoops. If you need to stick with 2 piece rods don't think you're putting yourself at a disadvantage against a comparable 1 piece rod, there are some fantastic 2 piece rods out there, just know you'll be limited in your choices.