The Maestro

7'2" mh Expride is a great utility rod. I'm referring to the previous model. I haven't used the new one with the carbon fiber handle.

OG 7'2" MH extra fast Cumara

7'7" Heavy Cumara Bantam 80lb Power Pro

I try to keep it around 10. I've gone through a lot of trouble to build my collection and bringing more just increases the chances of breaking one.

Basic maintenance (cleaning and greasing gears, oiling bearings etc..) is all I've ever done. Completely tearing down the reel to it's component parts seems like a massive waste of time with little to no upside.

Tubes for smallmouth

Wow that's a monster! I don't know if you heard but there was a 10+ caught on Erie a week or so ago. Likely going to be certified as a new record for Ontario. https://ftw.usatoday.com/2022/11/record-smallmouth-bass-lake-erie-great-lakes

How much did the smallmouth in your avi weigh? Looks like an absolute freak of s fish.

I run a Bantam on my punching setup.

The main issue with slower actions is setting the hook on single hook baits especially at distance with flourocarbon or mono. Chatterbaits and spinnerbaits are also single hook baits but they're already on a tight line when the fish hit them. Personally I like faster rods even for those and I use braid. To me slower actions are better suited for treble hook baits.

A bad guide wouldn't be cause the line to break at the knot. I had a rod with a grooved guide and it would break in random spots. Took me a while to figure out what was going on.

Stumbled on this video years ago and interestingly it echoes my personal experience and that of a lot of the posters itt.

Doubtful that you're going to find a rod that's good for both. It's a bit like wanting a golf club that's good for driving and sand traps.

This rod's well suited for topwaters and small crankbaits.

Toss up between my Bantams and my Metaniums.

Learning how to properly utilize a pedestal seat was an absolute game changer for me as far as how my body feels after a long day on the water. I use it more as a third leg for support when I'm standing. It takes some of the weight off your legs and back and really makes a huge difference in choppy water. For years I rarely bothered with it because I used to try to sit on it and only last year realized they're better used as support. Even gives you something to put your hand on when a rogue wave or whatever comes along. Night and day difference in how I feel the next say.

I've been taking 11 with me this year. 2 bundles of 4 and one of 3. Seems pretty manageable.

I think what braid does is allow you to feel the rod's full power in the truest sense. Meaning that once you eliminate line stretch all of the force you apply will be going into bending the rod or moving the fish. I think a better question would be how much power are you losing with lines that stretch if that makes sense.

I'd say it's pretty whippy. It's a glass/graphite composite. I use braid and find the combination of no stretch in the line and the softness of the action is pretty much bang on. It still has a good backbone that really shuts off once you hit it. It really let's you set hook on those long distance topwater bites especially when they hit it sitting still.

I have one of these and it's a great budget squarebill rod. Also perfect for small topwater baits.

I honestly can't recall the last time I saw someone who was actually flipping while out fishing. And that's a lot of hours on the water. Even on TV and videos I don't remember the last time I saw someone using the proper flipping technique.

This is a good budget squarebill rod

I picked up a barely used Tatula SV with the idea of using it to get better at skipping and as a baitcaster for my son who doesn't fish often enough to get good with them. I haven't fished with it yet but it seems like it takes a lot more effort to pitch with it than what I'm used to. I will say it does seem to live up to it's reputation of being pretty hard to backlash but that seems to come at the expense of distance. I think I'd be a lot more fatigued having to put so much more effort into casting or pitching all day. Any guys experienced with these reels care to chime in?

I throw spinnerbaits on straight braid. Love the positive hooksets at the end of a bomb cast. I personally don't think bass are spooked by the line with moving/reaction style baits.

Power Pro - Original, Super Slick and Max Quatro are all very good lines.