CroakHunter

Definitely pass. I could probably set you up with 2 better combos, for less money.

Rod is more important than reel when it comes to casting. Someone was probably trying to cast an 1/8 ounce shaky head on 25lb fluoro, on a mh rod and blamed it in the reel

Nope. Copoly Or mono would be perfectly fine. I doubt fluorocarbon is any less visible than cxx Crystal clear. Plus your 8# cxx is more like 12lb breaking strength, where 8# fluorocarbon may break at 6# if you tie a decent knot.

Never ever drop shot a booyah poppin' pad crasher. Doesn't work.

Poppers and jerkbaits Is what I use mine for, if we're talking casting rods. Could also be a good senko rod if around light cover

@WRB What presentations make you choose big game over sunline or maxima and vice versa? I have recently switched to copolymer/mono in situations where most would use fc and couldn't be happier.

I don't think you'll struggle between weeds and bass if you watch your line and also put your finger on your line above the reel. Bottom contact baits require 100% attention and focus. Watch your line, feel the line between your fingers, and give a quick hookset when a strike is detected. The other things like trimming things and trailers are all personal preference. I also agree with @Jason Penn 1/4 ounce finesse jig with a twin tail grub and find a body of water where the bass population is good and only fish a jig the whole time you're there. You may struggle a few times, but once you get it down it will be all worth it.

What a "duh!" moment I just had.

I have some jigs at home that I bought without seeing in person first. I like to flip jigs into nasty cover, the length of the weedguards is perfect but they are quite flimsy and get hung up more than my go to jigs. Is there a way I can stiffen the weed guard without trimming it?

Not bare bones for me But definitely on the low side. And yes 25 cranks is unheard of for me. Don't think I've ever bought that many in my 26 year life.

What did you end up buying?

May check out prides creek campground. Pike county indiana. Or patoka lake.

754 too heavy for 1/2 ounce jigs?

What about a cabelas tournament zx cranking rod. 7'5 mh. Love mine

I have started using braid to a copolymer leader. My breakoffs have decreased and landed fish have stayed the same Or gotten better.

Do you have Any of these rods?

It's 99% where I'm at. I hope to be asleep when it happens.

I literally lol'd

Any rod that is rated up to 1 oz will be fine. Something with a fast action to drive the hook in. And probably braided line with or without a leader

How do you know they are pregnant?

I love it. Back your drag off a touch and use a moderate action rod and it works nicely. Helps me free grass or leaves that will get snagged on the hooks

I have one of if not the cheapest Kastking baitcaster. The royale legend. I own three of them and paid full retail for all of them. 1 on a frog rod 50lb braid, 1 on my big worm/carolina rig rod 17lb copoly. And one spooled with 15lb copoly I keep as a back for any of my reels that may malfunction before I can fix them or buy a new one. I am very pleased. Have landed multiple catfish and gar up to 20 pounds when we made a random trip to the river.

Yeah I found them on sale for under 5 dollars from cabelas I believe.

Siebert outdoors is the way to go. Quality conponents, great price. If you look in the tackle forum, there's a thread called jig fishing questions or something similar. Great thread. Read all of it and you will have a good idea on where to start and the correct retrieve/rigging/location/colors. Pretty much all you could ask for. I love fishing jigs and it's what I do best. Still read every word of that thread monthly. Constantly learning.

Z-man chatterbait. Replaced with seibert fogy. Senko. Replaced with bps stick-o. Strike king 1/2 oz spinnerbait. Replaced with northland tackle reed runner. Lead worm weights. Replaced with tungsten. I'm sure there is more but Thats the most popular baits I've replaced with less popular ones.