CroakHunter

I will fish1/4 ounce cranks and jerkbaits on spinning gear if need be.

I see. I'm a fan of the lews tp-1 speed stick 7'mh. Sorry no experience with st croix

Why not just get a 704 or 734?

I'm a fan of 15lb braid to a leader or 6-8lb mono/copolymer

I'm in southern Indiana and find that the 735 is a super versatile rod. Frogs, swimbaits, jigs, and pitching, just to name a few techniques. I can throw a frog farther than ill ever need to with my 735 and 50lb braid.

-6'10 heavy fast-50lb braid-jig -7' mh mod fast-15lb mono-bladed jig/spinnerbait/squarebill -7'3 heavy fast-65lb braid-frog/pitching -7'6 mh fast-17lb copolymer-texas rig/Carolina rig -6'9 medium light-10lb braid to 8lb leader-dropshot/wacky worm/shakey head

Lews makes a 5'9 medium heavy tp-1 speed stick. Although I dont have experience with this exact rod, ive had a few of the other lengths and tapers and have been satisfied.

Anything 17lb fluoro or mono and above I use straight shank flipping hooks.

Nylon 66 or bow and arrow with small game broad heads.

Should be fine. I feel that lews rods run a bit heavier powered than other manufacturer's.

@TOXIC should know if they are being sold anywhere, although I dont believe they are

Magnum rage bug. Prefer to pitch it to cover.

Great write up. Glad everyone stayed safe and had fun. Would love to make it up there and chase some smallmouth.

I use 4/0 owner flipping hooks for most of my soft plastics in heavy cover. Menace, rage craw, magnum bug, senko, I would say it is most versatile

Why switch if you are catching them?

Are you wanting to rig weedless? Or open hook?

My favorite is the magnum rage bug, then the menace, then craw. Haven't used the worms.

In always fishing for the biggest bass in the lake. But that doesn't mean ive always got "larger" baits Tied on.

Best chance is somewhere with florida strain lmb. Although I have caught lots of northern strain over 5lbs. Texas would be my choice because of the diversity. Somewhere like lake fork

I feel like you could get a much better rod for the money than the e6x

We killed it 2 weeks ago throwing a weightless zoom horny toad. Watter temps around 62

50lb daiwa j-braid 17lb sunline assassin

Seaguar senshi is great if you can find some. Very small diameter compared to other mono or copoly lines. Handles very well. I use 20lb for heavy spinnerbaits and chatterbaits

4-7 iron would suit your needs well

I'm a fan of the 735 and also the tp-1 speed stick mentioned. The 7'3 heavy speed stick is a great frog and pitching rod. It is much stouter than the dobyns which is why I prefer it for frogging heavy vegetation