FishTank

Not a huge fan of braid but it's great for topwater. What the OP is using sounds fine. I might suggest going 20lb instead though.

Both have worked fine for me but my personal preference is XF. My favorite spinning rod is an NRX 803s but I have also used casting gear for with a fast taper.

Never seen this..... You can make something like this with two rubber bands and a wacky ring.

One technique I use in the kayak >not sure what it's called but it's outlawed in a few of the tournaments I fish. Anyway, the idea is you cast (not a long distance 30-50 feet) as soon as you spot fish on the finder, letting line out, troll or row, in my case, away from the fish around triple to four times the depth (so 150-200 feet) of the fish and then start your retrieve. This works best if you are using a crankbait and you can sort of mark your spot. I use this technique when it is super windy or as a last resort and have done well. I also use this in different patterns, figure 8's and and boxed X have worked so far.

I hit them up again and wiped them out of all the Trokar hooks they had. I have had good luck with them. They dull up quickly compared to others but for $2.50 a pack, you can't beat it.

I saw this and thought it was pretty cool. I always enjoy their videos. It's cool to watch these guys work as a team and the kid knows what to do and how to cast. There are a lot of basic things things going on here that everyone can learn from.

Sounds like it time to return it and move on to something else.

No trailer for me. I don't see how this adds anything to a bait that already has a ton of action and noise going on. Bass seem to inhale it or try to destroy it and not taste it.

Another to check out is the Bedrock Cairn 3D. I know of a few guys that bank fish and hike that use them and say they are the best shoes ever.

I use these, the Teva Strata. The soles are supper grippy. I have yet to fall or slip in wet or under water conditions. I tried several shoes and sandals but these have been the best so far.

I do enjoy and love all the Loomis rods I have but I have always said the fun begins with the IMX line up. Hopefully this new series will change my mind. The previous offerings at this price point (GL2, GL3, and the E6X) just didn't do it for me but I know several people that fish these rods and love them.

^7 Great but not totally my thing. The venue is as good as it gets...... How about some new Maiden....

We caught and released 14 last year and 8 this year and I am not the only ones trapping them in our neighborhood. The city won't do anything to help.....We take them to a friend's farm about 45miles away. They eventually become food for the other creatures near his property.

Did I miss the memo? When did this happen?

15lb Abrazx and occasionally 15lb Tatsu. For the heavy stuff, 20lb Invizx. I like that it's not as stiff as Abrazx or Tatsu at the 20 lb rating but you do loose some abrasion resistance. Still tough line though.

I can deal with squirrels. They don't tend to bother anything and we have tons of them. It's these are number one on the death list in my neighborhood. They look cute but the destruction they cause is unreal.

I picked up a couple at BPS about a month ago and they don't look like that. I have only fished one and it has done fine so far.

5in GYCB Senko black with blue flake Texas rigged or wacky.

I use Sunline Xplasma 16lb and 10lb Seaguar Premier with an Alberto knot.

Baitcasters tend to last the longest for me. I fish spinning gear harder than I should and l am more prone to do something stupid with it, like step on it or drop it in water.

No. I have been using some hi-viz orange for topwater and doesn't seem to stop the fish from biting.

These things are magic on a shaky head jig. Try to find ones with the smallest screw heads. I can't remember if I have the ones from VMC or BPS. I also like Spot Remover jigs as well.

For sure..... I have seen codes show up from time to time and I am thinking of a larger order this go around. They usually show up around the holidays. No big deal though.

I like both but for what the OP described, Abrazx would work just fine. I have been using it for jigs the last few years in 12lb and 15lb and have no complaints. It last long, knot strength is good, and it has been good on abrasion resistance. A small downside of it to me is that it doesn't cast as well as other FC. It could be just me though.

I stopped by local DSG and they have several on clearance. I held two of the exact same rod, one in my left hand and the other in my right. I shook both of them. One was like noodle and the other was stiff as a pool cue. Both rods were marked MH Fast. All of them seemed like cheap gimmicky rods but to each their own. I had my doubts when I felt one last year but this closed the door for good.