Yudo1

I use daiwa sv variants to skip: alphas sv and t3mx sv. It is more technique than reel, but it doesn't hurt having a reel that has more control.

Deep cranking: 5.7 Lipless/medium/shallow cranks: 6.3 Jerk baits/topwater: 7.1 Jigs/plastics: 8.5

I use a mod/fast graphite rod for my cranking needs.

x2

Get a Tatula CT or if you want something a little more compact then try a curado 70.

My first bait casters were Lew's and BPS PQ's. I liked them ok, but they didn't wow me. I bought my first shimano curado 51e and immediately sold everything and went totally shimano/daiwa. It sounds like you should do the same.

The stradic would be my choice as well.

My advice is to buy a quality, aluminum reel. You can get a daiwa tatula ct for under $100. If you're used to spinning reels with a left hand retrieve then get a lefty bait caster.

Great little rod. It's lowest rating is 3/16, but it handles 1/8 with the right reel. My favorite was a 51e with shallow avail spool.

I use braid with leader on all my spinning reels.

Unfortunately, soaking a worm on a bobber is what most people think of when you mention the word fishing. This is exactly how I got introduced to fishing and also the reason why I only did it once in awhile. It wasn't until a friend introduced me to the world of bass fishing with lures that I became obsessed. The techniques, strategy and the feel of actively hunting for the fish really struck a chord in me. I'll bet your friend will see fishing in a new light too.

For your intended use (3/8 jigs, light cover, bank beating) IMO the 873 is the rod. If you were fishing heavier cover or also using more 1/2oz then I'd say 894.

I'd go with the 873crr.

With reels, I use only daiwa/shimano. With rods, I'm more open to multiple brands although right now I'm mostly loomis, kistler and megabass.

I use a 6'8" medium/moderate fast with a 7.1 gear ratio casting reel and 30lb braid/copoly leader. I use the shorter rod so I can't walk the bait without hitting the water. The moderate/fast action gives so I can keep the fish pinned. The fast gear ratio helps me take up the slack. I prefer braid and the leader helps keep from getting the hooks fouled in the line.

I wish I had a local tackle shop that carried high end gear. Unfortunately, I only have some big box stores that carry your typical stuff. I haven't bought a rod or reel hands on in years. I've used the recommendations of others I read here and other forums and they've given some good advice. If I had a local shop that offered the stuff I like, I'd probably be in big trouble.

I'd put a curado 70/71 on that bad boy.

I wasn't a fan of the previous generation mojo, but I hear the new mojo is much better. The new mojo blank is much better because they use sc3 graphite which is the same as the avid.

The original post is from last May. I'm sure the op has already made a choice.

The lews should be fine. I usually prefer aluminum reels for frogging, but I don't think it would be an issue. I'd put a 6.xx gear ratio reel on the medium for reaction baits. It's a good general use speed for shallow to mid-depth cranks, spinner baits, chatter baits, etc.

2009 was the first post. That thread is still going strong. Check it out because there is some awesome stuff in it. As for me, I prefer daiwa/shimano reels and loomis, kistler and megabass rods.

I really like Kistler KLX rods. Take a look at either the heavy or x-heavy depending on the amount of cover. The blanks are from Gary Loomis northfork composites. They are light and sensitive.

Fishing from a yak is going to open up a whole new world compared to shore fishing. You'll have the opportunity to fish different types of cover and structure. If you already have a medium spinning combo, I'd want to know when you plan on completing your 4 combo arsenal. If it's much later on down the road, then I'd rather have a medium/heavy. If you plan on building your arsenal sooner than later then keep the medium casting combo and add a MH after. I'd be lost in yak without a MH on board.

For cranking and other reaction type baits, I'd definitely opt for the Met MGL.

Some 6.xx reels have very similar "inches per turn" as some 7.xx reels. Check the "ipt" to be sure.