Boomstick

I like 15lb or 20lb braid on spinning reels because it's far less susceptible to line twist issues than mono or FC, and that's the only reason I use it on my spinning reels (excluding the larger ones I use for catfish).

Give it a shot. I am not sure it works as well with the CT or not but there is only one way to find out.

Since I don't own a boat, I find most places I fish a crankbait will be shallower so I use 17lb mono and that gets me 2' to 3' deep, depending how fast I fish it with a 1.5 squarebill and gives me the power to pull it through weeds as well.

I have found crankbaits can be annoying in lakes with tall grass and weeds, they'll snag and pull out every weed in their path. In such cases, I'll switch to a spinnerbait, chatterbait, swim jig, soft plastics etc. which all take in a lot less weeds. Topwater also may be an option if the weeds don't extend near the top of the water.

Since I don't own a boat, most of the places I fish are shallower water so I fish crankbaits on the same 17lb mono line I would use for a spinnerbait, chatterbait, buzzbait or a Pop R. I can still get a 1.5 squarebill a good 3 feet deep if I need to but I have the strength I need to pull my baits through weeds too.

The swing impact fat 3.8s are probably a solid choice to start with but don't be afraid to try different sizes and colors too.

I usually don't use a spinnerbait trailer just a trailer hook when the bite is slow, but the Kaitech's are one solid choice if you do. They also work well with a swim jig.

So far I haven't had any issues with any Z Man baits. Let's hope it stays that way.

At the very least, I would add in some spinnerbaits. Since you fish in shallower lakes, a 3/8oz and maybe a 1/2oz would do -- get a Colorado blade if it's muddier water and dual willow or a willow/colorado for clearer water. Probably a chatterbait and some soft plastic shad or minnow trailers and a swim jig or two and some netbait paca chunk for trailers.

I have fished frogs in lily pads with 15lb mono, and it worked okay but I would step up to 30lb or 40lb braid, then you can easily pull the lily pads out if you land a fish.

I agree with Big Game being a quality affordable line. I have recently picked up a Tatula glass cranking rod and I decided I would try Suffix Siege 17 lb line on that and so far I am finding it has notably less memory than any Berkley line I have ever used. If I feel the same in a few more weeks, I'll likely use it for all of my heavier lines, although I'll probably stick to Big Game on spinning reels and lighter line applications.

I caught the largest bass of my life on my 6'10" Tatula MH/F rod with 40# braid, no leader for moving baits. The hook practically sets itself on that rod. Although if I was fishing only spinnerbaits on the rod, I would probably just run something like 15 or 17lb mono which has enough strength to drag it out of most grass just fine. I also strongly prefer a casting rod for a moving baits as well as I can get more casts in and cast more accurately as well.

I have two Tatula SV's. The one thing I find with the Tatula SV that sets it apart from other like priced reels or even several more expensive reels to me is that I can use the brake around 6 to 10 and I set the spool tension knob to the point right before it begins to click and it's ready to go for any lure I will throw on it.

I have a Daiwa Tatula with the SV spool, and I saw a video on youtube where Brett Ehrler said you don't need mono backing with braid on the SV spool, which I find true with 50# and up, but 30# and 40# braid really needs the mono backing or it will dig into itself something awful. Plus a spool of braid lasts quite a bit longer with mono backing, and it still gives me enough line for bass fishing so I throw roughly 30 yards of mono on, tie it to my braid with a double uni knot and I'm good to go.

Well relatively it is thin for its rating, but you are correct. I've had a 12lb line that must have held at least 20lbs on me before.

The Abu Garcia Veritas or the Berkley Shock comes to mind. If you are willing to spend another $15, you can often land a Daiwa Tatula on amazon at that price, and I also hear very good things about the Dobyns Fury as well.

Spinnerbaits, crankbaits and jerkbaits are usually great fall fishing lures. If the bite is slow, try a different spot, maybe find a better dock, weeds or fallen tree to fish under etc.

A lot of FC will also have a decent amount of stretch as well. But I do agree that the Red Label is thin for its ratings and I wouldn't have a problem with it where I fish where I don't need too get too deep. That said, I use 15 or 17lb mono to be able to pull it through weeds and grass, but I would run 10lb FC for max depth or 12lb for a happy medium between line strength and depth. To confirm what others have said, I also haven't had any major issues with knot strength from lower diameter Seagar line either but I might spend another 15 seconds making sure the knot is cinched up tightly.

I'm considering picking up a 2 piece casting rod as well and tossing a cheap reel, the reason being I work 40 minutes away from home, but also by some of the closest lakes with bass fishing and I don't want to leave my one piece rods inside my car in a sketchy parking garage where someone could easily swipe them. The only thing I really find for a 2 piece casting rod is an Ugly Stik GX2. I am not sure if I could fit a 7'6" rod in my Cadillac Brougham! Maybe if I go from the passenger's seat to the rear driver's side seat, but I put my rods in the front middle to the rear middle so my other seats are still usable and I have a few inches to spare on a 7' rod but there's less space on the way in and out too. I am hoping the 7'2" rod I just picked up is going to fit, I think it should be fine.

I don't think there's a right answer other than maybe a little of both. If you fish one type of lure and it's just not getting bites in any color or presentation, you will definitely want an alternate plan. Plus it's simply more fun to mix it up and change your pace. But nothing wrong with limiting your bait selection to those you have confidence in, but also nothing wrong in learning something new either.

From what I have seen, people seem to like it as leaders but not as their mainline. I have only used it as a leader and have had no issues using it in 8 and 10lb for soft plastics. I will probably try Sunline or Trilene Professional Grade Fluoro next as I hear those are much better, but they had Vanish at Walmart so it was convenient.

Grats! The Mojo Bass rods I've seen are great rods and at $109, that's a great price but $69 was quite the steal that I wouldn't pass up and I'm not even actively looking for another rod!

I like the x8 (8 strand) Daiwa J-Braid the best to date. The reason I like the Daiwa line is simply because it frays less than some others I've used, although I didn't have any issues with the line fraying to the point it was breaking either. Power Pro, Suffx, and Spiderwire (minus the EZ braid) are all fine - I'm sure there are others as well.

I agree with Catt. If one bait isn't working, try another one. Sometimes baits you think should be good in cloudy water kill it in clear water and vice versa. The summer daytime bite is often lazy, so a slow falling bait is the way to go to wave it in their faces. In the fall, faster moving baits are usually the way to go.

I agree that 20-30 ft is a reasonable pitching distance and nothing to be ashamed of. 100 is a full cast but if you know people who can pitch 100, I will personally stand on their coffee table and salute them. I also find I pitch better on a longer rod. It's not even that you can't pitch on a 7 ft rod just fine, but I find that my mechanics are better on a longer rod.