LCG

I use a brown sharpie. My thinking is it matches the bottom better, but that's probably just in my head. I am sure black works fine as well. I also fish stained to muddy water so I doubt it matters.

For finnese applications I use a long leader of copolymer line, about 9 ft or so. Enough that the connection knot is between the reel and the first guide. For reaction applications or jigs I use use straight braid with a sharpie. Color the line a day before you fish to let the smell dissolve. I only use yellow braid now, so much easier for me to see the line, especially for the super light bites where you line just starts swimming away.

Are you closing the bail by hand after casting? If casting into the wind, I also find casting with a low trajectory helps a lot. 4 strand braid will make noise going through the guides, that's pretty normal from my experience.

The HMG definitely runs heavy. I had a medium spinning rod and sold it for a medium light. You may want to consider a medium as opposed to medium heavy.

I played with a few of the elite tech rods and while they are nice two of them had stripped reel seat screws. I have the previous hmg is spinning and it's a great rod. The new Hmg baitcasting rods feel nice. I would go hmg personally.

Lure: Mepps agila #4 in line spinners in gold color. Plastics: Zoom Trick Worm, watermelon w/chartreuse tail.

The effect of the bait monkey on my wallet But seriously, how about the effect of various plastic bait profiles on the rate of fall? Water displacement vs density / volume / mass of the bait? Not a science guy, but I love me some mythbusters.

Which model did you purchase? Curious about these rods and how they will do with finesse applications.

I have used a st Croix mojo 6'8 m-xf spinning rod for treble lures, mainly mepps spinners #4. If you set the drag a bit looser than normal it works fine. I don't generally throw a lot of lures, more of a plastics guy so I don't have a dedicated crankbait rod.

I would take a serious look at the st Croix mojo 6'8" m-xf spinning rod. Perfect for single hook plastics. Love mine.

I have the 6'8 m-xf mojo and an avid x 6'6 Mh-f casting rod. I love the 6'8 mojo, great rod. My favorite spinning rod so far. I just got the avid x and it is more refined for sure. American vs Mexico built is an obvious quality difference. I have not fished with the avid x yet. But I have been practicing casting and its a really nice rod. I imagine the 6'8 in the avid x would be heavenly.

This ^

I only use size 1 vmc drop shot hooks. Always sharp and always hook up well. If it ain't broke don't fix it.

Too much

9 Sorry, just noticed it was already posted.

I am dedicated to learning how to fish a hollow body frog this year. I have read about people adding a few BB's inside the body of the frog to add weight so the frog sits a bit more in the water and adds casting distance. Just curious how many of you do this or if you noticed a difference? Thanks in advance.

I appreciate everyone's opinions and respect that some people have different points of view. I have decided to go with the fuego.

How about a medium light? I have a fenwick hmg 6'9 ml-f that's decent, but it may not be able to throw super light baits. It's rated for 1/8-5/8. Soft tip, with good backbone. I have caught sunfish, bluegill, rock bass, smallmouth, largemouth, smaller catfish and carp with it. It good if your not fishing a lot of vegetation or wood. Would be better if it was rated 1/16-3/8. St Croix has some nice medium light rods as well.

I just saw the BPS Carbonlite 2.0 in a 6'9 MH-XF with Winn grips, looks like another rod is going to be added to the collection soon.

I have a avid x 6'6 Mh-f casting rod, but I haven't actually fished with it yet. I have been practicing pitching inside for the winter and I can feel the rubber practice plug dragging on the smooth floor, so that should be a good indication of its sensitivity. The craftsmanship is outstanding, not a single flaw. It wouldn't be good for weightless plastics being a mh-f, but I bet the medium powered rod would be perfect for you.

I use a ned rig on a st Croix mojo bass 6'8 m-xf and a fenwick hmg 6'9 ml-f. I have no problem casting with it or setting the hook. In my opinion it's too heavy of a bait for an ultralight.

Thanks for the input everyone. Looks like it's unanimous for the fuego. Appreciate your help.

I have only used spiderwire braid, red packaging. Spooled two spinning reels with 10 lb braid yellow last year. Color ran pretty fast but no fraying or break offs. Good line. This year I went with kastking in 10 lb and 50 lb, had to try it for the price.

What's people opinion on these two brands of casting reels? Looking for something for an all around reel. Thanks.

Currently I have my bagged plastics in a shoe box. I keep my go to plastics in a Plano 3620 box for easy access to various types of baits and colors. I also will only bring one box of plastics and one box of lures.