LionHeart

Totally a good point man. I wouldn't recommend anyone learning a baitcaster to turn the brakes off, which is why I didn't, but I would say that turning them way up may actually increase the time it could take someone to gain proficiency. Heavy lures and high setting brakes can cover up improper casting and lack of thumb control, and actually delay the learning process. Whereas having your brakes set up to a moderate level, and using lures that are aerodynamic, but on the lighter side, will actually force you to use the fundamentals required to use casting equipment. Thumb control is 99% of learning to use a baitcaster, and I just think that the best way to develope any skill aint by not having to use it.

IMO keeping the fish pinned is done with the rod. I use braid for chatter baits and love it.

Still haven't mastered them. I may be going against the conventional advice, but just for the sake of practicing in your yard (which you definitely should do), I'd recommend learning with a 1/4 weight, 3/8 at the heaviest. Learning to be proficient with lighter weight first, will make casting a 1/2 weight effortless. Everyone learns differently though, so what worked great for me may be terrible advice for you. What rod specifically are you using?

Crap, I meant use the Mojo as your only Jig rod, not the KVD. Keep the KVD for frog. IMO, the Bass X could do the work of the Lunker Stik. Basically this. KVD as is. Mojo Bass as is, use it for all jigs. Put the KK back on the Aetos and use for spinner/chatter. Take the Citica off lunker stick, and use it for cranks, and jerk baits on the Bass X. Leave the lunker stick at home till you get a reel for it.

I'd leave the KK on the Bass X, and get a new reel for the Aetos. Something faster if you use the rod for jigs and such. Although, you could also use the KVD as your rod for all jigs including 3/8, and use the Aetos for spinner baits and chatter baits. In which case, I'd put a 7 speed reel on it.

Tell me about the Aetos. Power? Action? nevermind. I gotcha

Looks like every rod has It's own reel. What am I missing?

Don't feel bad. Worms were great for me a month ago, but last few trips, not a nibble on one.

Were you dragging, hopping, or what? Congrats dude, nice fish for sure.

These. I have the Prism H2O, Prism Tungsten, Chrome Iridium, and a set of Bronze Polarized lenses from FUZE that I have been wearing exclusively since I got them. The Prism Tungsten lenses are fantastic for low light, and the Prism H2O are my go to for all around.

Most likely what you described means a blue gill or other bait fish. If a bass has to make 4 attempts to eat your lure, it is a dink, or just simply investigating what your lure is. At any rate, the fact that you can't hook up with it ain't exactly your fault.

Not really sure I understand the question man, but I'll try to answer what I think you are asking. Short and simple answer comes down to weight and sensitivity. Using a light weight, balanced rod is more enjoyable and less fatiging than not. As far as sensitivity, I can't think of any situation other than maybe top water when it wouldn't be desirable to have a fishing rod to be as sensitive as possible. An Ugly Stik will certainly catch plenty of fish, but will not have the same qualities mentioned above.

6 for cranks. Just the right balance of torque to overcome the drag of larger crankbaits comfortably, but plenty of speed so that when you want to burn them you wont have to struggle to do it. To me, a 5 speed is too slow. 8 for jigs. With jigs, you move the lure with your rod, and use the reel for collecting slack line. I can't thing of any reason you'd not want the ability to take in slack line quickly. Never tried a 9 speed, but one would think it would be even better. I just have never felt that I needed faster than an 8 speed though. I don't fish frogs, but the idea is the same as for jigs. If you could only have 1 speed, 7 would be a good mid point in my experience.

Literally everything but crankbaits bigger than a 5xd.

I have spent many many hours trying to fish jigs (casting, pitching, dragging, hopping), and have had very little success. I have gone out often with only a jig rod in hopes of forcing myself to become more effective. What have I learned? I prefer Texas rigged plastic. It doesn't snag as easily, is cheaper, and maybe it is just the water I fish but for me it flat catches more fish under the same conditions, fished the same way. I still toss a jig every now and then but when people talk about how successful a jig is at catching bass I have to wonder why I haven't had that experience at all.

Lol, Diego.

Have been fishing in out right down pours with mine. Meh, big deal. Just let them dry out and keep going.

Diawa Diego CT on EBay right now for 70 bucks. Done

This. Last quote I got from a shop was 12 bucks. Kinda a no brainer.

Dude I think taking a drive is the only way to go. With the gear you plan to buy, you will have it for a long time, and nothing beats seeing it in person before you buy.

I've fished the Sierra 734, and it is a great rod. I have no experience with the Curado but it seems to be widely accepted as an awesome reel. I'd doubt you would regret owning one. If you are right handed, think about whether or not you want to go with a left handed reel vs right. I know it seems weird to have the reel handle on the opposite side as what you are used to, and I thought I would prefer left handed, but I wound up preferring right handed reels. This is a personal thing, and some righties do prefer left hand reels, but the Curado would be a pretty big purchase (for me at least), and you don't wanna get it wrong. As for reel speed, that's easy. Go with a 7 speed. It will do just about everything well (except for big baits like 10xd, which I hope you wouldn't throw on that rod). A high 6 speed would work as well, and some may prefer it. It really comes down to how fast you prefer turning the reel handle during retrieve. For the lures you listed, I say 7 speed all the way.

This fish jumping are possibly, if not likely the Carp. I hate carp. Try dragging a big worm dude.

In my understanding, a rod with a lot of tip or 'tippy' has a good bit of bend down the blank. As you know, power and action are not standard measurements or ratings, so if I say a rod is fast action, with a lot of tip, I would mean that it is on the slow side of fast. Simply stating the action doesn't mean a whole lot. I may be alone in this understanding but it's just what I always figured the consensus was on what that meant.

4 vs 8 strand: 8 is supposedly smoother and I have heard that 4 strand is supposed to be more abrasion resistant but honestly never understood why. If the line is made of the same material, how can one be more durable? I must be missing something. Anyway, 4 strand has never left me wanting. I really enjoy 50 lb braid to leader for a few reasons but mainly because it is easy to see my line. For me, it is very difficult to watch my line with anything smaller than 40 lb test. Has nothing to do with strength for me. If I ever needed a line that strong to pull in a fish, I'd take a spear instead of a fishing rod. The best leader knot I know of is the FG knot. It is very smooth and thin, and will last for a very long time if tied properly. All my leaders are now 8-10 feet, and it passes through my line guides easily. There is a YouTube video by 'Salt Strong' that does a fairly good job of showing how to tie the knot. Check it out. The FG, will take some practice to get right. Even though there is a load of videos about how to tie it, I've thought about making one, as I feel like none of them get it completely right. Give it a try though.

I mean the spool braking. It's meant to control the rotational speed of the spool during casting to help prevent backlash and frustration. You're cracking me up dude.