MasonV

Falcon

I've had luck with jigs, wide wobbling cranks and bladed jigs in that situation.

I'm not really sure what others, I just know the Smoke because I have 6 of them. The only other Quantum I've used is the Accurist, which I didn't like and it's made in China. Maybe one of the people that have an EXO can tell us where they're made. I'm betting most of their higher end reels are made in Korea.

Not all Quantum is made in China. The Smoke for example is made in Korea. Quantum does make some cheap crap reels and some good ones just like anyone else. And even if all the brands you named were made in the same factory, what matters is the specs the reels are made to. You can make a POS under the same roof you make a high end reel. For the OP I have 6 of the Smokes and really like them. Have had no problems. They feel like a good sturdy reel and are smooth.

Jig, bladed jig and square bill

War Eagle. The general guideline I use is Clear water = double willows Stained = willow/Colorado Dirty = double Colorado or Colorado/Indiana

I think you can get a BPS Pro Qualifier combo for around that. Pretty good value.

Definitely 7' at least and MH. I use a fast action because I feel most often with a deep crank you're gonna have long hooksets so you can use a little help getting a solid hookset. I don't have a problem losing fish with it.

Yes I always use rattles. Most jig rattles are very subtle anyway compared to a crankbait and not constant noise, which I like. I wouldn't want my jig sounding like a crankbait or anything.

-Zoom Trick Worm in watermelon purple glitter on a 3/16 oz War Eagle Shakey -V&M 1/2 oz Adrenaline flippin jig in black/blue with a Zoom Super Chunk trailer in flippin blue Those are the only 2 things that I have tied on no matter what.

Yum Dingers

Exactly

Zoom Super Chunk

I second the Falcon Bucoo

I'd say I'm using Yum 90% of the time

It is definitely the time of year for them. I've had my best luck with a medium paced steady retrieve using the twin tail trailer that comes with the Zman chatterbait. I'll trim the skirt down a bit but that's it.

I would also make sure you're waiting long enough before setting the hook. It's hard because a topwater strike is so exciting your natural reaction is to jerk instantly but I always try to wait a full second after the strike.

Great rods at that price. I have 5.

That's the best way to do it so you don't have to switch hands to cast and reel. I'm a lefty with all right handed reels.

If the water is clear and there's a lot of fishing pressure I'll go silent.

Here in Oklahoma the state wildlife department website does weekly lake reports.

I'll reel if I need to until my line is tight and then lift into the fish.

A Spook in the fall for me.

Yum Dinger in watermelon red or watermelon purple flake is what I throw most of the time

For flipping and swimming I usually prefer a 1/2 oz. I also like a 3/8 oz for swimming. I like the running depth of the 3/8. Just a personal preference really and I don't want it falling too fast. I feel like that's the perfect weight for a good feel and workability for those presentations. For football jigs I'll go to a 3/4 oz to get better bottom contact on those longer casts.