roadwarrior

Man, if you like targeting trash fish you need to come to the Tennessee River. We have big drum and GIGANTIC buffalo fish. The buffalo school to spawn in the spring and are VERY aggressive feeders. You would have a ball. Plus, You can keep them all!

I have been using MegaStrike for more than twenty years. I do not fish soft plastics without an application.

Well, I fish about 80 yards at a time on top of backing. That gets changed out before any "big" trip and usually after a week or two of morning fishing. With multiple rigs, last year I went through 1000 yard spools of Tatsu #6 and #12, about 500 yards of #10 and #15, which does not account for mainline braid. Then there is Sunline Armilo that I use for treble hooks. I sure hope the COVID-19 hoarding doesn't get to fishing line!

Terrible idea that can cause a Huge Disappointment

Well, you really need two. One for treble hooks (most lures) and one for single hooks (jigs and soft plastics). Perhaps one this year and another next year? A compromise, and one of my favorite rods, is the G.Loomis GLX MBR842C. Oops! MBR appears to be superseded by JWR. So the recommendation is GLX 852C JWR

I think Ugly Stick is the most popular brand in America, maybe the world. Perhaps the key to their success in a reputation for being virtually indestructible. Bass fisherman generally put more emphasis on other attributes.

The original Rapala might be the ticket! https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Rapala_Original_Floater/descpage-ROF.html?from=gshop&gclid=Cj0KCQiAkuP9BRCkARIsAKGLE8VBaO-2grkBl-5_2gwrOSqzrIwaZVMEgGFPc7oAModxqVvmuv35oO4aAsn9EALw_wcB

Here you go: Match this with a Shimano CI4+ and you are good to go! p.s. St. Croix M is comparable to other brands MH.

Shimano CI4+ https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/shimano-stradic-ci4-fb-spinning-reel

Yeah, but it's not like that everywhere. Using fluorocarbon as a leader reduces the cost dramatically and allows you to break off when necessary. I prefer fluoro mainline for bottom contact. Monofilament has been catching fish for more than fifty years and horses have been used for transportation for hundreds of years. Still, I prefer cars, trucks and fluorocarbon fishing line.

Okuma Helios https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/catpage-OKUMARDS.html?from=basres

I caught my first 5 lb bass at Grand Lake in the summer of '57. That September I turned 5.

I have been using it extensively for the past several years. However, Owner stopped making the rig. I recently had a dozen custom made, but if you are crafty you could make them yourself. I'm not so I had them built for just over $4 a piece. The leader line in the illustration is actually the mainline unless you are rigging a leader to braid. Although you can use any soft plastic, I specifically fish the Rage Tail Structure Bug on this rig. https://www.ebay.com/itm/143452223525?var=442405226386&chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-117182-37290-0&mkcid=2&itemid=442405226386_143452223525&targetid=934793863616&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9013543&poi=&campaignid=10877149888&mkgroupid=107912403075&rlsatarget=aud-622524041518:pla-934793863616&abcId=9300400&merchantid=114745280&gclid=CjwKCAiA7939BRBMEiwA-hX5J9w0W8TOSL7i06VLeKN2aakwMiC3ukaWbbir34dEbwbjWF5nFwzY-RoCoXcQAvD_BwE

Well, just a week or two ago I hooked up with a MONSTER that would have easily weighed over 22 lbs... ...but she got off.

Don't know, but I will report after I receive the line and fish it awhile. The promo states "improved flexibility".

Okuma This is the newest version for $180 https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/catpage-OKUMARDS.html?from=basres

I bought two spools , #4 & #6 of this today. Looks like a great deal, but while I was browsing their site, the Japanese Bait Monkey jumped me. https://japantackle.com/lines/kureha-seaguar-r18bass.html

Even with the cheapest line on the planet I don't know how you do that. I'm trying leader to braid on most of my baitcasters, but I am not totally sold. That saves some money, but I'm still budgeting something north of $50 a month.

Welcome aboard!

The Midwest is just as hot and humid as the Mid South and most of the Deep South. I moved from Kansas City in 1980. That summer we has a two moth drought and over ten days of 100+ temperatures, not to mention the oppressive humidity. Memphis is the same in summer, but generally more pleasant in the winter.