Lead Head

Because you listed "cast control/manageability" and not distance, you will likely love anything SV.

High end St Croix (SCV and above) and NFC/Edge are the only made in the USA blanks that I know of. Probably a few more out there that I don't know about... As to reels, good luck! Last I saw nobody was making baitcasters for bass fishing. Hopefully that has changed and I'm just out of the loop. Keep in mind anything made here will be pricey. If you have ever considered building your own rods this search might push you over the edge.

Braid with frogs regardless of cover for better hookups.

Siebert dock rocker or brush jigs with my own skirts. Top and bottom are the same black red flake and GP red flake skirt, the middle is my take on junebug. I mostly use rage bugs, but prefer pit boss in colder water.

I don't know about the cold weather stuff, but for me, Huk makes the best hot weather clothes. Huk shirt, shorts, and gloves are my normal summer wear, and I promise its not because I like to match. With humidity in the 90's and temperatures in the upper 90's, these are the most comfortable clothes I have found, especially in straight sunlight.

DVT got it, its conveyors and mishandling that does the most damage to rod tubes. If USPS can't get it on a delivery vehicle they will usually just keep it at the P.O. and deliver you a notice (that has been my experience). I have had the worst luck with FedEx, they broke a blank and returned it themselves (I never saw the package, just the tracking info), then attempted to deliver the replacement a week later and it was obviously snapped in half. If I hadn't been at home that day they would have left the broken blank on my porch. The driver said he took it off his truck as a damaged package, but was instructed to take it and deliver it anyway. I understand crap happens and stuff gets broke, but the policy of delivering products they know THEY damaged in transit in a blatant attempt to make it my problem instead of theirs really left a bad taste in my mouth.

I -HATE- flashy rods/reels. I build my own rods, so they all look how I want. Black or natural graphite with black or gray wraps, maybe some silver trim around the handle. I avoid color on reels as much as possible, but it's only a deal breaker when excessive. I really wish I could say looks don't matter to me, but I can't. Its a lack of bling that I require. The good thing is, there is plenty of quality gear out there. We can all usually find stuff that is as flashy or dull as we want.

NFC (Gary Loomis) are American made blanks. I think their production line is Edge rods (may be outside your price range). Your best bet will likely be custom built on a NFC or St Croix SCV blank (unless its recently changed all SC blanks below V are made in Mexico). If you go this route you can rod length, handle length, handle material, and thread colors all of your choice. 300$ should be able to get you a nice custom.

You do great stuff with cork, its truly impressive. What is the O.D. of those grips to fit the Aero seat?

@gimruisI totally understand and respect your philosophy, however for some people that is very limiting. If I restricted myself to only blanks I can handle in-person, my options would be to drive several hours, or 0.

I would also suggest spending more on the rod for bottom contact. If you choose dobyns, do some research, you may be better off with a H over a MH.

When you pay for 2 day air, but they can get the package to the destination within 2 days with normal ground, it will be moved through the system like a ground package. The exception is if it is delayed "in system" for some reason, it may get upgraded. When covid hit, companies suspended air guarantees, and (as far as I know) still haven't reinstated them, making upgrades less common. Sounds like you made the right call, but TW dropped the ball. If you contact them again, I would be interested to hear what they have to say. My most recent dealings with them have been positive.

I'm really growing to like carbon fiber grips, after that winn, then cork. Split grips.

What I consider the best has already been mentioned, but ill throw out a few thoughts. FC- Tatsu is as good as it gets, but Invisx and Sunline Sniper are are almost (but not quite) as good for significantly less money. Look into your knot here, it is the weak spot and some play better with fc than others. Mono- Sunline... but I usually use Big Game, its really good AND really cheap. Mono has an exaggerated diameter for its lb rating. Most will actually hold 3-6lbs more than stated before failing. (I think Sunline might be an exception here, but can't confirm).

When I have cuts or gouges on my fingers bad enough I need them covered at work, I have had good luck with electrical tape.

I fish jigs on braid to leader with success. 40# 832 to 25# sniper. I use the leader for abrasion resistance in rocks mostly, but it also cuts down on dig in and unwanted noise in wood. Many people hate the idea of braid to leader on baitcasters, but it has become the norm for me.

You mentioned topwater, but didn't list any mono leader options. I would suggest a mono leader for topwater. The leader to help prevent line fouling in hooks, mono because it will float. Floro sinking can cause many topwater baits to behave... oddly.

Usually 14lb Sunline Sniper, sometimes 12lb big game, occasionally braid to leader.

For me, it really comes down to... Floro sinks Mono floats I typically choose between the two based on that characteristic. For example, I greatly prefer floro for bottom contact baits, especially lighter stuff like ned rigs. I use mono (or braid) for topwater because (obviously) the mono floats and let's me work the bait. I will say, I don't believe I have ever caught a fish with floro that I wouldn't have with mono. Its all really just about what I like better. Of course, most of my waters are so dirty that I could probably catch most fish with kite string, so visibility has never been part of the equation for me.

If you store the jigs with the trailer still on, I have had them develop a deformed "memory".

A 30 will work, but there will be a lot of times you really wish you got the 55. A 55 will work, and you will probably never wish you had the 30. Running a 55 at lower settings will make your battery last longer than running the 30 at higher settings. It takes very little wind to drastically affect small light boats. Since (I'm guessing) this will be your only source of propulsion for the boat you will likely be better off having more power than you really need, as opposed to not enough.

Every time I start thinking I'm good I see some guy on tv/YouTube switch to his off hand and make a 50' skip. That reminds me Im just average at best. There aren't too many spots I can't hit, but I'm -FAR- from master level... if that even exists.

I've said it before, but I'll throw it out there again... While catching is the goal, I love fishing. I love pretty much everything about being on the water with a rod and reel in my hand. Skunks aren't common, but they definitely show up more than I would like. It don't bother me one bit. In fact, if I knew without a doubt I would never catch another fish, I would still go out. Not nearly as often as I do now, but I would still wander out to my "happy place" every now an then.

I can sympathize... after losing nearly 100lbs 14 years ago, I'm pretty much cold if I'm not sweating. Compression fit base layers, wool, and down get me through the 30 degree mornings. I regularly shed and replace layers when on the water. Its not uncommon for me to make 2 trips from my truck just bringing in clothes after a fishing trip.

One time I ran across a negative review of what I consider to be very good fluorocarbon line. The guy went on and on about how it was trash and had the "worst memory of any line," and would just spring off his spinning reel. He even included a picture, and sure enough he had a coiled birds nest of line all over his spinning reel. It looked to be a 2000 or 2500 size reel, and he had purchased 25lb line...