LCG

I like a 4/0 EWG

Focus on accuracy over distance. As well as smoothness of the cast over the force of the cast. Learn to use your thumb as the break more and loosen the spool tension over time. Distance will come in time but accuracy is still far more important.

I like 10lb braid in hi viz yellow for spinning rods. As mentioned earlier, add a leader of 6-8lb fluorocarbon and you have a great system for line watching, sensitivity, and invisible leader. For casting I have used 30lb braid, again hi viz yellow. This year I am trying 15lb big game mono, just for something different.

I think there is sensitivity advantages, some say casting distance (debatable), lighter rod blank. Braid to a leader could be an issue. Icy conditions also may be an issue.

I personally use a St Croix Avid X 6'6 Mh-f casting rod, great rod but micro guides so that may be an issue. The Carbonlite 2.0 is a nice rod, Dobyns gets good reviews as well. Shimano has the new SLX that feels pretty good. Lots of good options out there.

The fight is fun in a medium light rod, but if you're near any cover or weeds a medium power is much better in my experience.

I guess it really depends on the size of the lures you using and the size of fish your targeting. But in general terms a stout medium, fast action rod should cover you pretty well I would think. I am a fan of st Croix, they have shorter handles that your looking for, pick your price point.

The 6'8" length is good for bank fishing where you deal with brush and overhanging trees and also good in a boat situation. The action offers a good quick hookset with a stout backbone but not so much that your overpowering the fish. Casting accuracy is really good with the extra fast action as well. St Croix makes a quality product as do some others such as gloomis, shimano, fenwick, and I hear that dobyns and some bps house brands are good as well.  I use the st Croix mojo 6'8 m-xf spinning for the following techniques...  Ned Neko Drop shot Wacky Curly tail grubs on light jig heads Shakey heads Light texas rigged worms Light finnese jigs And believe it or not inline spinners The rod has enough give that I have not lost any fish with it, even with treble hook lures. I use 10 lb yellow braid to a 8lb fluorocarbon leader. For heavier jigs, Texas rigged creatures, chatterbaits, and spinnerbaits I use a St Croix Avid X 6'6 Mh-f casting rod. 

Ned rig Drop shot Neko rig Chatterbait / spinner bait

I would highly recommend a st Croix 6'8 m-xf spinning rod. Pick your price point. I have the mojo and its a great rod and very versatile.

Another vote for kastking. I use the super power 4 strand braid in yellow, 10lbs for spinning and 30 pound for casting. Decent color retention, a little thick but not too bad. For the price it's hard to beat.

If you have the money go for it, too rich for my blood. I think there is a point where you get the most sensitive bang for your buck. For me that's $200.

I think it will work but if the worm turns then the hook is exposed and more likely to hook into the brush more, although the shank of the hook does keep the neko rig surprisingly weedless. I usually neko rig a senko and Texas rig a trick worm, mostly cause if the thicker diameter makes it easier to get the weight in and o rings are easier to find for senkos. There is a video on you tube of how to rig a weedless ned rig using a mushroom head by threading the TRD onto the line first and sliding it down to the jig head once it's tied on. Haven't tried it yet but worth a shot. I have had great experience with the TRD, great drop shot bait as well.

I think a neko would work better than a ned or shakey head. But I would try Texas rigging a worm or even a TRD with a small size 1or 1/0 ewg with a small 1/16oz weight. Similar effect and won't get hung up as much. I would probably peg the weight though. The unsalted trick worms will also float and give that tail up action. I usually use a 4/0 round bend worm hook for those.

It's a stout rod for sure, which is what I wanted for bank fishing, under tress, fishing cover. The avid x hit the mark for comfort, weight, and sensitivity. I am still adjusting to the micro guides though.

Probably fishing for catfish or carp. Pretty easy but hope you enjoy sitting watching nature :). Circle hook, egg sinker, and bait of your choice, live worm, corn, bread, chicken liver, boilies, etc. The fish takes it and hooks itself, fun fight but watching paint dry is pretty accurate.

Sounds like a pretty good set up to me. I have a similar set up myself. St Croix Avid X 6'6 Mh-f casting rod, St Croix mojo 6'8 m-xf spinning, and a Fenwick hmg 6'9 ml-f spinning rod (currently on loan to a friend). I am actually finding with the two st Croix rods I can do everything I currently do just fine. I too fish multi species bass, carp, catfish, trout, pike, etc.

Another option that I am playing with this year is to color the braid with a sharpie or color the braid in alternating colors ie camouflage. I prefer hi viz yellow braid myself. Leaders can be a pain sometimes, especially with micro guides. I did an experiment last year and drop shotted at a pond with straight 10lb yellow braid, no issues catching bass at all.

I don't think it will effect it, but I will test it later today. Have to be a home test as we are under a foot of snow

My go to hook. Ewg and offset worm hook. Picked some of the Berkley ned rig jig heads too that look really good, have not fished those yet. Far cheaper than some of the higher end hooks.

Crocs all the way. Don't care how they look, very comfy and protected my feet a few times from hooks left on the bank.

Welcome to the forum. Over the years these have become my go to confidence baits... Zoom trick worm Senko 5" Zoom fat albert grubs Zoom brush hog / baby brush hog Havoc Pit Boss Zman TRD Roboworm 4.5" I keep colors simple, some shade of watermelon, white, black, black and blue and junebug. Dark colors used in darker water, lighter colors used in clearer water. Don't fish a ton of hard lures but a Mepps inline spinners #4 gold, chatterbaits, and jigs with skirts have produced very well for me. Good techniques to start with are ned rig, drop shot, Texas rig, and jigs.

I have had good luck with creature baits such as zoom brush hogs and reaction innovations kinky beaver here in the bigger lakes if Ontario. Smallmouth in the 4-5lb range pretty consistently. Finnese can work well too at times. Don't sell short a drop shot or ned rig during those hot summer days.

I keep it simple. Watermelon, junebug, black and blue, black, and white. Covers the basics whether clear or dirt water conditions.

If your looking at ned rigs, drop shot, neko rigging I would lean towards more of a medium light. If you looking at more wacky, Texas rigged worms, shakey head, etc a medium would probably be better. Also depends on cover and general size of fish your targeting. As for micro guides, I think they offer benefits but only for if your using straight line of your choosing. If you tie a leader then mico guides can be a pain. I am more of a st Croix and fenwick guy. I have a fenwick hmg 6'9 ml-f and a st Croix mojo 6'8 m-xf spinning rods and they are both very good.