The Maestro

I'd say one of the primary factors is declining energy levels. The ability to log full days (sun up to sun down) on the water of hard non-stop fishing is going to become much more difficult if not impossible as you get older. This will mean you can't spend as much time pre-fishing as the younger guys. Motivation to fish in bad weather will take a hit as one gets older as well.

I use and love Shimano rods. I think being known as one of the top reel brands actually works against them when it comes to their rods. People just automatically associate Shimano with quality reels. The new Poison Adrena looks like it will be another one of their legendary releases that people will still covet long after they've been discontinued.

This is where the term "semi-slack line" comes from. And you're right it's somewhat of an oxymoron and initially it doesn't really make sense.

Most scenarios have been covered fairly well already so I'll just offer my nickel's worth regarding pitching with heavy tungsten (3/4oz and up). I've found that I started converting more bites when I stopped dropping the rod (and hence the weight) before setting. Now when I feel a bite I'll tighten up and set without any slack in the line. It doesn't seem to matter much with jigs and lighter weights but my guess is they feel the very dense heavy weight drop in their mouth when you drop your rod and are more apt to spit it out right away.

I think this comes down to how many total rods you have or plan on having. If I only had a few rods I would dedicate one to the technique I enjoy and use the most. This would also be the setup I would spend the most money on. I would use more versatile combos for my other rods.

I like an 2/0 or 3/0 offset shank hook. The fish really stay pinned with these hooks due to the "corner" between the point and the bend. I used to use the wacky specific hooks but have found these to be better. They also allow different rigging and bait options without re-tying a different hook.

I really don't think you'll be disappointed. We all have our personal favorites and biases but Shimano's stuff is the only gear I would buy without even having handled it in person. They're known for their reels but people sleep on their rods for some reason.

This will be my next rod whenever they become available and I have the coin. The good news for you is you have at least a couple of months to save up the extra $$$.

I don't know how much of a hurry you're in but the new Shimano Poison Adrenas are looking really nice. These will be the type of rod that will retain much of it's value should you decide to sell it down the road for whatever reason.

It's a personal preference but if I'm paying big bucks for a rod, I want it to look nice. To me these unfinished blanks just don't look very good and like you said the finished rods I own are plenty sensitive. It's really a brilliant marketing strategy. When you consider the extra costs involved in materials and labour not to mention all of the rods that probably end up getting rejected due to poor finishing, they must be saving a ton of money. Then to top it off they charge even more for the "superior technology" of using an unfinished blank. They must be laughing in our faces.

I'm not really a fan of the trend towards unfinished blanks on high end rods either. I don't really care that it theoretically increases sensitivity by 0.1%. I prefer the aesthetics of a nicely finished blank with a clear coat to protect it. They're probably saving a pile of money by using these unfinished blanks yet still charging more for them.

I like Maui Jim. I have 3 prescription pairs to cover all light conditions. Couldn't be more satisfied with them. I also have 2 pairs of Numa non-prescription and they're good as well but really don't compare to the Maui Jims.

Strike King Caffeine Shads look really good on the fall as a previous poster already mentioned.

Since I started to dabble in the second hand market I've noticed that the mid-high end models from the big brands tend to retain their value much better than the smaller companies. Custom rods, while they may be great from a performance standpoint are nearly worthless from a resale perspective.

The fishing industry has definitely caught on to this trend. 10 years ago $250 was considered pretty high end for a rod. They figured out that people like to show off expensive stuff and will pay more just for the sake of showing it off. This was around the time that prices started to get pretty stupid. I remember reading on Youtube that a guy who claimed to have insider info was saying that the actual cost difference between a $40 reel and a $300 reel was about $15. Same with rods. Another thing is the warranty. I remember reading (it might have been here) that when manufacturers give a 10 year or lifetime warranty, they are anticipating that they will have to replace that rod so they just charge you for 2 of them upfront. That accounts for the main difference in price between their lower models (with shorter warranties) vs. the higher end stuff.

I'd say one of the biggest factors in being able to achieve flow state when you're fishing (or any activity for that matter) is to have the mechanics and technical aspects of whatever it is you're doing to a point where it just becomes automatic. When you're really having to put a lot of mental energy into concentrating on your casting and retrieving it doesn't allow you to really blank out your mind and be totally present in the moment. In other words it takes time and a lot of practice with whatever you're trying to do to get there.

This is sometimes referred to as "flow state". It's when you're totally immersed in the moment. Flipping and pitching is probably the only time I'm able to achieve it. Getting a bite and setting on a heavy one when you're in this state of mind is an experience that can't really be described with words.

My first "decent" rod was a Bass Pro Extreme spinning rod that could be balanced with a kit sold separately. I bought the kit and added some of the weights to balance it and I have to admit it does feel nice but I've not given any consideration to the balance of any of my setups since then. I don't think it's hampered me or effected my fishing in any way.

Pretty much this. Heavy braid + heavy rod + heavy hookset + heavy fish = good times. I'd use jig and Texas rig interchangeably in this scenario.

Came in to say this. I'm perfectly happy with my gear when I get to use it. It's during the off season that I'm trying to fill the void in some other way.

Not many others compared to accomplished jig guys for example. You'd think there would be more based on the success that guys like KVD and Rick Clunn have had using crankbaits. I doubt it's for lack of trying. I'd bet it's more due to it being an especially difficult bait to master.

Crankbaits in general. How many pros have been able to take cranking to KVD's level and use it so successfully?

Correct depth is one of the reasons I picked crankbaits as one of the more/most difficult techniques to master. I'm pretty sure getting the size, profile and action right is a big part of it also. I think color might play a more important role compared to other baits as well. Then you have speed and action that you can impart with the rod. I remember reading about how Kevin VanDam is constantly working the bait with movements of his rod during the retrieve. Just a lot of variables to consider.

Is there a technique you feel is more difficult to become really good at. I know it's totally subjective but I personally feel like becoming really good with crankbaits would require the most time and practice. There's just so many different types for different situations. They can be fished in so many ways. Crankbaits have never really taken off here like they have in the US and my experience with them is quite limited but I just feel like it's one of those presentations where there's much more to it than meets the eye.

Exactly. If people want to poach spots, I'm more than happy to give them spots. They just won't have any fish on them.