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I kept it really simple last year. 7” ribbon tail, crankbaits, and frogs probably accounted for 80% of my fish. They kept biting them and I didn’t need to explore much.

My most productive moving bait year round for like 4 years in a row

I can almost guarantee you the same people that hate on you for splurging on fishing gear splurge on something else. Everyone has a hobby whether it’s electronics, video games, collectibles, cars, shoes, etc. The biggest culprits around here are hunters. They scoff at expensive boats and fishing rods etc and brag about their tin rig catching as many fish. But then drop $25k+ a year on a hunting lease with a $20k side by side, $3k rifle, Sitka camo, and Swarvski binoculars to kill 2 does and a 6 point.

I haven’t fished a non NFC Kistler but those were very sensitive to me. Have heard mixed reviews on then Toray blanks. Dobyns never impressed me. I’ve bought probably 5 and sold them all. Just not a good fit for me personally. If you want a very good, sensitive rod in that price range look at the Falcon Cara or Shimano Expride. I also really like the ALX Zolo. Just my experience…

I’ve worn a lot of Orvis over the last 10 years and have little bad to say. Their clothing is well made and lasts forever compared to a lot of brands. My only complaint is sometimes it’s tough to distinguish what the material is like online. Like you said a lot of their stuff is geared more towards milder climates.

People always say this and I’m sure plenty have issues. However I put 200k on my first ecoboost with zero issues and am on my second also with zero issues.

If budget is not an problem why not get a custom rod built?

Rods have become technique specific. It’s only a matter of time before reels are marketed the same. It’s easy to market and the technology/components already exists. They’ll just match those to that technique

You can find decent videos on YouTube tearing down a reel. In your case it would be pretty simple. You just need to make sure it goes back on the same way it comes off. Take the side plate off and add grease to main gear and oil the bearings. If you are in a rush just go to Academy or Bass pro and get the Lucas or Abu products (or something similar). Any of them will be better than nothing. You just need a thin bead of grease around the main gear pushed into the cracks and wipe off the excess. And a drop or two of oil on bearings. Also add a few drops to the worm gear. Im not a pro but this is what I’ve done for several years now. Fwiw my Tatulas need more maintenance than any other reel I own. Every one of them wants to be lubed several times a year for some reason.

White, black, chartreuse prob the only colors you need. I mainly use white because it’s easy for me to see and my lake is full of threadfins that get up in the pads. I’ll sometimes tie on a black if it’s really dark outside

If anyone wants a like new 7’4 Cara heavy cover jig rod send me a DM. I will list it on marketplace eventually but will need to wait until after the holidays to ship because our local postage companies are doing terribly at the moment lol

I still stop by Bass Pro every month or two. Usually it’s because I can’t find a certain bait at Academy or the LFS. Although I’d wager more than half of my purchasing $ has been clothing over the past few years. My son also likes the fish tank and animals so if we have time to kill it’s an easy way to spend 30 min to an hour. I haven’t bought a rod or reel from there in probably a decade. Their prices and selection suck.

American Legacy will sometimes have XGs in their used section. I bought one with tags still on it for $75 a few years back. Some of the best deals I’ve received in Falcons came from EBay shops that accept offers. Ive offered 20-25% several times and they accepted or countered with a reasonable deal

I have and use both the ALX Toadface and Expride 73XH. The Expride is simply incredible.

You can find them used for $70 or below. I sold a pair on here not long ago for $125 If you are open to other brands the Lews LFS is a small comfortable reel and really solid. You can find them periodically for cheap. Dicks will randomly mark them down. I picked up one for $50 earlier this year.

Square bill helps deflect. Try a Frittside 5

Would need a picture. They’ve been making those since at least the early 2000s

Never in my life heard of a floating toilet! I just pee over the side of the boat. But our lakes are mostly all surrounded by nature. I could see where it’d be more difficult if the entire lake was covered by boat docks.

Nothing. I am more likely to throw cranks on non-cranking rods.

He hasn’t been here since March so probably won’t get an answer anytime soon

A Lil John tuned just right is hard to beat. They are silent but did just come out with a rattle version. However I fish the silent and rarely have visibility over a foot. Lot of great options. Bill Lewis ATV, LC 1.5, Frittside, ott’s Rapalas, etc

No I don’t feel the need to with todays equipment combined with watching the line.

Typically the larger size is also thicker. The picture below is the same Mustad in size 4 and size 2. There’s definitely a difference in wire thickness although it’s not crazy.

The Cara head turner is a better worm rod than the expert and is my 1/8 oz Texas rig rod year round. I have two expert head turners as well but they have a slower action and are designated for single hook moving baits. Cara head turner is a great worm rod. If you need more beef step up to the Amistad. The heavy cover jig is also decent but more suited to dragging in open water. It’s slowly become my least used Falcon ALX rods are also great. I own a few. They fish similar to Falcon in a lot of ways but the Zolo does not have the sensitivity the Cara does in my opinion.

If you want to save money the Falcon Lowrider 7’6 Cranker is graphite and isn’t bad. I use it for my 10-12 ft divers. Never need anything deeper than that on my water but I’m sure it could handle smaller body deep divers. Definitely not a 10xd