KP Duty

I have more confidence in it than any other line. It does have some memory, but it is manageable (starts getting bad at 15lb+ tests). I use the 8lb (.012") for several crankbaits in light cover, and use the 10lb (.014") for wobblers in medium cover.

I did for years, and probably still would if more options were out there. I used a 723c imx for a few years, then a croix 6'M avid. Neither are made anymore. I jerk to the side, with my arm extended out, and short rods keep me from hitting things on the boat. I have a 6-6" M Tatula rod now, and I'm getting used to it.

Its good line....used it for several years and have considered going back. I remember thinking it stretched less and had more abrasion resistance than inviz-x (no abrazX at that time). TT's review might give you some info... http://tackletour.com/reviewtrilenefc.html

For soft plastics, the laminate colors get me. For hardbaits, I go for ayu/herring/shad and their ghost counterparts. Lucky Craft's new ghost minnow crack is stellar....

Stumbled upon some Team Daiwa baits on the 'lbay with 'buy it now' prices of 2 baits/ $14.95.

I'm also guilty of rarely throwing a T-rigged worm....seems like I always go for the beaver (no pun intended). Flukes also, even though I used to fish the sluggo all the time. Swim jigs...don't even own one. Paddletails.

The new Daiwa Blazon looks pretty sweet for a budget friendly jdm stick. Shipping will cost you $50-$60, but you avoid tax. Duty fees are a possibility, however. https://jdmtackleheaven.com/products/daiwa-21-blazon-c72h?_pos=5&_sid=544ead828&_ss=r

FFO-Tackle (pure fishing outlet, fyi) has 3000yd spools of Trilene XT for $19.88 https://ffo-tackle.com/collections/fishing-line/products/trilene-xt-1285557

I remember when he went through this phase (although I thought it was all MH's). All it showed me was that no matter how old you are, you continue to go through different phases in your approach to bass fishing.

Underwhelming as a whole, but the $3.99 bombers and 400yd spools of Trilene fluoro for $19.99 would be worth grabbing. I used that Trilene 100% for several years....good line.

A slider worm for me....rigged on a weedless 1/16oz slider head.

Jerkbait. I have back-boated my boater several times in tournaments while drifting down the bank. With a good breeze, you don't need to reel in any slack....just drift and twitch with my bait parallel to the bank. Gets your bait deeper.

For bottom contact, I'd be focusing mainly on the rod blank. My pic for a $300 jig/worm rig... Falcon Expert 7'H ($199) w/ Daiwa Fuego CT ($70ish) I'm sure one of those 40T Arks would do well, just never held one.

6' to 6-6". I'm also a 'side sweeper', and with anything longer I start hitting things.

I would say it depends on your intended purpose for the setup. For moving baits, I want a softer, easier casting fluorocarbon. For bottom contact baits, I want less stretch and more sensitivity, which you get with stiffer fluoros (unfortunately). Each brand seems to offer both.

Small compact spinnerbaits are my ticket when the bite toughens. Post bass spawn when bluegill are spawning, they are dynamite. Micro spinners like the Booyah pond magic can unskunk you on a tough day.

I like a hard grip- either carbon fiber or cork. I'm going to put my silicone wrap on there anyway. And no foregrip. On my jig/worm rods, I prefer a finger on the blank.

Like a lot of you I suppose, I've been using jigheads long before they became 'shakeyheads'. What rod I use depends on the weight of the head, but most often it is my 803 nrx/og daiwa ballistic combo spooled with 8lb fluoro. I'm going to try some straight braid this year on my 852.

My most asthetically pleasing/well built rods are... Daiwa BLX... '16 Poison Glorious... '21 poison glorious... Edge black widow...

Yea....I figured it would end up brown, but was thinking a gold metal flake would spice it up.

With soft plastics getting more and more expensive, I'm considering saving all my used/torn baits and melting them down when I get a stockpile. Besides elaztech, do regular soft plastics melt down nicely to pour into molds?

Ebay

DVR'd it....Watching it now. VERY good and well made. Even history buffs will learn something new.

3.5" D-bomb

I don't have a preference, and honestly don't know the position of the nose after I rip it. I usually just tie on a couple of my favorites and see which one gets more bites.