NYBasser

I wouldn't call the E6X series as Gloomis's "creme of the crop". For the $200 you pay for the rod, you're mostly paying for the brand name, not the for the fishability. At the $200 price point, I would either check out some Dobyns rods or Kistler rods. I have also heard some good things about Phenix rods.

Tatula CT or Casitas. Both are awesome reels

You can find a used NRX or even a new GLX for that price. IMX and below on the gloomis series rods are overpriced and overrated imo.

I use 4lb vanish for ice fishing leader. Never had any problems with it, but then again, I probably never pushed it to the max.

Dobyns Champ Extreme HP + Curado 200I HG

I'd go with the Dobyns. I find that they balance so much better than the St. Croix rods

Always use a leader if you are fishing braid for bottom contact baits. The braid will not stand up to rocks/timber and you risk the chance of losing a good fish on chaffed up braid. Mono/Fluoro leader is much more abrasion resistant and will help you out in the long run.

Upgrade the rod first, then the reel. Casting distance between high end reels and low end reels usually don't vary too much, whereas the sensitivity of a rod can vary greatly.

Depends on of you are fishing from boat or bank. I'd go with option 1 if you are solely bank fishing, as you might need the shorter rod for tight casting spots. Otherwise, the longer rods from option 2 will help with better control over the fish.

If you are OCD about the cosmetic condition of your reels, then covers are a must. They also help boost the resale value of the reels if you do decide to upgrade one day.

I have both reels, love them both. If you have the chance to pick up a Curado 200E7, do it. Otherwise, the 200I is a fine reel as well.

Dobyns Fury 704CB or Shimano Crucial CRCC70MHB. Have used both, and they are awesome, prefer the Dobyns slightly more though.

From what I've heard, the GLX is much better than the Expride. I currently own an NRX as my jig rod, and it's awesome. The new GLX rod isn't far off from the NRX. If you can find a good deal on a GLX, I'd definitely go for it.

Had a GL2 dropshot rod that I sold off. Liked it while I used it, but my buddy's Dobyns Fury felt much more sensitive. The GL2 series rod is a good rod if you can get them for under $100, otherwise, there are much better options for the price.

You should really cut the OP some slack because as he stated in a previous post, he's only 16 years old. He still has much to learn, and if he wants to start a new post with a question, then let him. This a community that was built with the intent that we all help each other learn more about our common passion: bass fishing. Telling people to "relax" and "stop" only creates unnecessary tension that is looked down upon.

Still way too expensive...

Not really liking the grips on the new Exsence. Darn thing also costs a fortune too.... $673??? Would rather buy 2 Met MGLs for less... lol

A step below, but close enough. Nice combo you got there

+1 for the Dobyns Fury. Amazing rod and value for the price.

I prefer braid with a leader for most applications. It increases the sensitivity of your rod almost tenfold. I usually use 15lb braid on all my spinning setups and 20lb braid for most casting setups, except for my frog/punch setup which is 30lb braid.

The 4 power Dobyns rods are best used with 3/8 and 1/2 oz lures. If you are looking to throw heavier, definitely go with a 5 power Dobyns.

Depends on what kind of boat you like, Aluminum or Fiberglass. At $20k, you have a lot of options. For Fiberglass, I'd recommend either a nice used Triton or Ranger. If you opt for the Aluminum boat, you can get a new Bass Tracker for around $15k.

What's your price range?

Just go with the bass boat. Can't learn how to use a bass boat without using one first . Also you will save money in the long run, that is, if you are considering purchasing a bass boat in the future.

You have more than enough rods to cover 99% of bass fishing techniques. I would even recommend to cut down on some of the combos you have and upgrade some of the cheaper quality rods you have. I have the Daiwa samurai 6'6", but I use it to mess around with carp, and I would definitely not regard it as a bass rod at all. The rod pretty much has no backbone and if you hook a nice fish, you are going to be in for a ride. Many techniques in bass fishing overlap, and you can use one combo for many techniques. In theory, your Jig/T-rig/Plastics rod can be the same, so instead of buying 3 separate combos, why not use one rod to cover the 3 techniques and then use the money to upgrade some of your other combos? It only takes a minute or so to tie on a different bait. Just because the Pros have 15 combos on deck doesn't mean you need that many, especially if you are young and money is going to be a limiting factor.