Shimano_1

I think the rod and line are fine. The reel would take some getting used to for me. I use a 7 ratio and feel its plenty fast for buzzbaits. I'm sure yours will work just have to slow down.

As some have already stated, the day I need permission from my wife to spend money I've earned is the day she probably wont be my wife any longer. I tell her if I'm going to spend a chunk just to be polite. I understand some people operate a little differently but this seems absurd to me. Maybe if she made all the money and you stayed home I could see her having more "control". My advice would be to tell her you're buying fishing gear that you've been saving for and refuse to argue about it. Good luck

I'd vote spinnerbait for sure. Flat out catches fish and does so in varying depths, cover etc. Plus fairly snag proof.

Like has already been stated I think you're overwhelming yourself with all the options and techniques. If your not catching fish it can be mind boggling as to why or where or what you should do. I would ask myself if I actually enjoyed being out and the act of fishing. If I didn't then I'd sell all that gear. If I did then I'd quit looking at it like you're failing if you're not catching. If you enjoy the time on the water and putting the puzzle together...the catching part will come. Personally I'd focus on say a jig and maybe a spinnerbait this time of year and leave everything else at home. Once you start catching fish and continue to try new things it will all start falling into place. Good luck on your journey!

I think the tatula 200 would work just fine. I fish some decent sized glide baits on a lews super duty and have never had any problems. I think the rod is much more important for handling big baits assuming you get a decent quality reel with enough line capacity

I've fished the 7'6 and love the carbonlite rods but I dont fish anything over 1/2 oz usually. If I were going to be using those heavier weights a lot I'd go with the 7'9. The 7'6 would do the job tho and probably be a little more versatile and of course lighter

I can use anything from 26 to like 31 ipt for lipless baits. I find the faster more to my liking but with the slower I just crank a little faster. For me it's not so much the cranking speed as it is having the speed to catch up to it when I RIP it out of grass or a fish inhales it. U should be fine with that speed

I've used the basspro brand ones for years. The tw covers are kind of a pain to put on some reels for me. I cut a slit in the top for the line to go thru and they're like 5 bucks a piece.

I'll usually find whatever it is I'm looking for or high percentage areas. Once I start fishing or on the way to the spot I'm always watching my graph for the things you mentioned. The graphs are definitely helpful if you pay attention to them

I use 15 or 20 fc on my jig rods and 12 or 15 on everything else

I fish that color a lot but rarely fish any deeper than 15 ft so I can't comment on really deep water. I've always assumed it to be more of a clear to slightly stained water color.

X2

I usually try to do a little research on the lake prior to going. Pair that with seasonal patterns and what I expect to work and try to come up with a starting point. I'll use my graphs to find channel swing banks etc. I don't spend a lot of time running around though I usually go with my gut and start fishing. If it's not working I'll spend some time looking. Good luck

As already stated it's going to be suggested that shimano and daiwa are it. Yes they both make fine reels and you really can't go wrong with any reel in that price range. Pick some u like and research them and if there are problems you're sure to find them online. I agree with the above that the lews tournament pro for 139 is unbeatable at that price point. I have 3 and they're awesome. Go to a store and handle several and I'm sure some will feel better than others for you. Good luck

As already stated for me the tatula is easier to just set and forget but the k has other advantages. I like the ergonomics of the k a lot better and to me it feels a little smoother. If I had to pick one it would be the k but they're both excellent reels.

I prefer a slower ratio for crankbaits. I feel like they have more torque and just feel better. If I wanna burn a squarebill I just crank faster. I think a higher speed just feels bad with a crankbait.

A jig would be my vote. So much versatility and something I have tied on year round anywhere I go

Most of mine have no fore grip but I honestly could care less. I don't think it would help to have one....while other than a lil added weight I see nothing wrong with them.

Yeah we concluded that with thousands of shad around they just weren't hungry lol. We threw everything u guys are mentioning extensively and we aren't pros by any means but we do pretty decent on the local scene. Never seen anything like it or quite so frustrating

I will slide the weight under the hook keeper if the rod is designed with a clip style keeper. If it's a solid hook keeper then I'll put my spinning reel cover on the reel...it has a lil loop at the bottom of the cover and I run the weight they the loop a cple times. Always worked great for me

Curious as I had a similar situation happen to me last weekend. Tons of bait, graphing fish under them with the occasional bass blowing up on one and we couldn't buy a bite and we threw the tackle box at em. Every shad imitation, topwater, jerkbait, a rig...nothing. left us bummed and wondering if we could've done things differently or a way to know that those fish aren't catchable

The only 2 baits I have tied on anywhere and everywhere I go are a jig and a senko. I fish and catch on a lot of other things but i feel confident in most situations i can catch em on some form of jig or senko. Ledges on ky lake....football jig or Carolina rig senko. Thick heavy vegetation...flip a jig in and around pockets or hip a finesse jig above it or fish a weightless or wacky rig senko. I honestly think a lot of the time I could do better on either of these and I choose to fish other things simply because I'm bored with the same things lol. I do agree with the above tho that everyone's situations are different so what works for me in my area may not at all be the best for others in different areas

I use them exclusively for flippin hooks. Only ones I use are straight shank tho so there's that. I use Gammys and mustad for all my work hooks etc.

I agree with most of the above. I do believe once the water starts cooling down the bigger fish tend to roam more and are easier to catch. At least that's my experience. I've caught bigger fish in the spring but fall would be my next choice for quality fish. I think by nature the bigger fish are shallower in the the fall than summer and winter the majority of the time which lends itself to catching more simply because a good portion of anglers fish shallow more than deep.

As much as I hate to admit it....absolutely easier. I do agree time on the water has no equal. But...when I started I just had what I learned from my old man and a couple of friends. Now you have the entire world in ur front pocket. Fish not biting...let me Google how to fish these conditions. This definitely doesnt put the fish in the boat but it gives anyone who wants to try and learn a good place to start. I've been fishing for 30 years and there are high school kids that could teach me quite a bit I'm sure...especially about electronics. I wont say any of the technology makes anyone a better angler...but it is definitely a useful tool to have and the younger generation use it for sure. I do agree with the above post that in a lot of ways it may be harder. Flood of tackle and opinions plus the major increase in fishing pressure I'm sure makes for a different dynamic.