Glaucus

The moment I can't remember what set up has which line, is the moment I know I have way too much gear.

Lol well to be fair this past season was my cheapest in awhile because I didn't get to fish much.

Going for the Darwin Award.

I solemnly swear to put up a fight next season.

That's why "they" want us to overthink and over complicate things. From lure colors, to line choices, to everything being technique specific, to the little things like balance. It = $$$

It's as simple as a properly balanced rod should balance well with any reel within reason.

Your YZH diameters are a little off. 6lb is .010, 8lb is .011, 10lb is .012. 6lb on spinning is the sweet spot if you only picked one.

T-Wing looks and sounds funny but it makes a little bit of a difference, not as much as one would think though. We a Fuego can be had on Amazon and other places for $70 and a Tatula tends to maintain $130 I can't blame anyone for going Fuego. They're almost the same reel.

YZH is a great line if you're looking for something that's all purpose and you don't want to use leaders. I've had it break on me exactly one time ever. Regarding spinning, to be more precise, if you're fishing an exposed hook use the 4lb, but if you have to come through the bait, use the 6lb. 4lb would be just fine for the savage beasts we call bluegills.

I'm not sure there's a single Abu reel I'd take over a Tatula.

4lb YZH for ML spinning - breaking strength of about 8lbs 6lb YZH for M spinning - breaking strength of about 11lbs 10lb YZH for M casting - breaking strength of about 16lbs 12lb YZH for MH casting - breaking strength of about 19lbs YZH is a little thicker in diameter than what is typical for the poundage, and it's a lot stronger than listed. Don't use the 15lb and up. Too much memory. It's great up to 12lbs. I use it a lot.

Don't. E6X is not worth the price. Tatulas and Sierra's are better for the money.

FishUSA ships in sturdy tubes like TW and they're fast. Don't worry about it. They're great.

Sitting here eager to fish once I'm feeling better and the ice melts, constantly thinking about being on the water. I got to thinking about spinnerbaits and how I like to fish them. Typically people talk about MH/F or MH/MF for spinnerbaits, but I prefer a strong M/F with a little bit of tip. I usually fish 3/8 oz spinnerbaits. I only move to a MH during the rare times I add plastic to the bait. They just fish, cast, and feel a lot better to me on my rod type of choice. Anyone else use a "weaker" than typical rod for spinnerbaits? I don't have any problems hooking them.

I second the Trion.

I've never considered that I could be a lot different than most people. My entire hand grips the rod above the spinning reel. None of my fingers hold the stem at all. I have small hands though.

Literally all consuming. All I can think about is fishing and that should be the least of my priorities and concerns. The bug is real. The last bass I caught was on a finesse jig and I'm just itching to pitch a jig and get my arm dislocated.

For an unskilled thumb they can't hurt, but I see no reason someone with a skilled thumb would want them. I wouldn't even recommend them to a new(er) angler because, while it helps short-term, it won't advance them.

I got really sick during the summer. Then I got better, and for a couple months now I've been dealing with more serious illness. My wife had to go back to work as I've been bound to the house on medications. Humbling really, what's taken for granted.

I cut out the entire Googan Squad long ago. They hardly fish anymore. These days it's shenanigans and product pushing. I stopped following guys like Kickin' Their Bass TV and LoJo because they're annoying; the dude bro style is insufferable. They fish, but they teach nothing. They behave like clowns. DEBO is a good channel too. He's just an ordinary guy.

I typically use the basic colors: greens, browns, blacks, blues, whites, reds. Crazy colors and a plethora of choices is primarily to get into your wallet.

Set the spool tension absurdly loose and make good use out of your thumb.

I have one. Tatulas and Sierras are better for less.

10 or 12 lb YZH depending on the rod and location.

That's something that makes the DC seem so worthless to me, for lack of a better word. It's better for bigger baits and yet bigger baits are much easier to cast, making the DC kind of pointless since it's marketed as an easy to cast reel.