roadwarrior

No

This is my #1 and will be yours, too! https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Strike_King_Rage_Twin_Tail_Menace_Grub_8pk/descpage-SKRTTMG.html Start with Smokey Shad. You will need a pack of 3/0 Gamakatsu EWG hooks and 1/4oz bullet weights.

Our pet brown fish in the Tennessee River are ALWAYS in current, there are no options.

+10

I don't know why you wouldn't fish them. Assuming you are in a boat they can almost always be recovered.

That's not a bass. It looks like a gizzard shad,

Great review!

That is quite a collection!

I don't know which came first or which is a knockoff: https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Daiwa_Yamamoto_Neko_Macho_Worm/descpage-DYNM.html Can be fished weightless or on a drop shot, too.

A big issue even for experienced fisherman is casting this rig.

IMX 844C

Rage Tail Eeliminator, Craw, Rage Hawg and Lizard.

The Jika Rig helps keep the bait just off the bottom. My most effective presentation is with a Rage Structure. This looks like a baitfish feeding on the bottom.

I have both. The PR844C is my designated topwater and crankbait rod. For me it's too long for jerkbaits and too heavy for small, light lures. I consider this one of my "must have" rods. If you like round reels the Conquest 100 is a perfect match. I am currently using an Aldebaran 50Mg or Core 50Mg7.

Realis Rozante 77SP is THE BOMB!

https://majorleaguefishing.com/anglers/leon-tidwell-102202/ My late friend Leon was the King Of Cheap. Most of his gear was trade-ins purchased at local bait shops or pawn shops. He was one heck of a fisherman!

My biggest smallmouth caught on topwater was with a Spook.

BPS has eliminated most of the competition in the Memphis area. We have two Dick's without fishing departments. Walmarts around here have a very limited selection of basic tackle. Academy is about a 5/10, but they surprise on occasion. I don't know of any independents.

Sorry to hear that. With such a broad range of budgets on the Forum, someone should be helpful at every pricing point.

I would rather get recommendations from our members.