Heartland

digital or analog?

I have seen it done a few ways, but the thing that seems to remain constant is a little purple flake and sometimes a little green.

I have fished Plueger spinning reels for over a decade, If maintained properly they are one of the best bang for the buck reels available in my opinion. The President and Supreme series are both fun to use without breaking the bank. I guess I should add that I do own a couple of RG2500's, they are smooth and have been reliable. I just don't have the time using them as I do the Pfluegers.

My experience tells me that when you speak of 1/16th of an oz. Your rod is going to play at least as big a part in the ability to make any type of cast. Have to find a rod that will load properly with that light of weight. Alphas SV105 would be my choice for a reel not sure what they go for these days. A used Pixy or older Alphas might get the job done as well. A used Sol with an SV spool. A used Fuego with a 100M spool might be capable.

In my opinion, you already own one of the most versatile classes of rod and reel combo's available. A 7' MH/F with a 7.1:1 reel will cover as many techniques as just about anything available. If you would like the finesse equivalent of that combo, then I would say get yourself a 6'10" - 7'2" ML / F spinning rod. It will pull a lot of duty for you as well.

I am interested, how so?

Medium is a power, actions are typically moderate, moderate fast, fast and extra fast. It is very important to know and understand the difference between these two terms, they are not interchangeable. A 5" senko weights around 3/8ths of an ounce. A medium power rod depending on brand an model may be fine for this application, I would generally recommend at least a fast action. I prefer to fish 3/8th oz baits and up on a Medium Heavy Power - fast action rod at least 7ft in length. A good quality copolymer fishing line may also help with reducing some of the stretch you are most likely experiencing with 12-pound mono. Could be small fish, or complications from lack of hook setting power.

Hmmm, Yamamoto D-Shad, Zoom Fluke, Strike King Caffeine Shad, Yum Houdini Shad, OSP Alive Jerkbait, and a 6" Slugo.

looks like a bottom bouncer or a slightly modified Jika rig.

Sherman, set the wayback machine to the year 2005....

Zebco 33 classic combo

Good to get it in now, not sure how many more times a guy will get to say that this year.

Cage fighting the night before for take-off spots. If you utter, Big Fish or anything similar, and the fish does not weight over two pounds, it is legal for any spectator to push you in the water and you must swim to shore. If you whine and complain about my spot this or that, you must wear a large orange pointed hat and fish from the bank the rest of the tournament. 1 fish finder per boat, must stay affixed to either the dash or the deck no moving locations. 100% allowed to Ish Monroe another angler. Aaron Martens and Shaw Grigsby are never allowed to do live interviews or speak on camera. If you fail to place ahead of Byron Velvick in any Elite level tournament you are banned for the remainder of the year. Mark Zona must be allowed to sell used cars in the parking lot during all events. You are only allowed to fish baits you have poured, painted or assembled yourself. No more trophies for winning a tournament. Awards will be a crown and a WWF style belt that must be worn to the next tournament and handed over to the winner of the next event. Cape is optional.

Dobyn's 734 is the answer to your question.

cranks and mono - use a long smooth sweeping hookset, braid with jigs and plastics - tear their lips off.

I find myself using lots of #4 and #6 hooks, with an occasional bait that will use a #2

They're a scam dude.... they just want to be WP's

It puts the reel on the rod and casts the bait.....I never think of it.

Painted a few in a crappie pattern this afternoon. I like the way they turned out.

A good pair of polarized sunglasses, a good pair of pliers, a nice scale, buy some good hooks to replace the stock hooks on some of your baits. Gator to keep the sun off your head and face, a landing net if necessary, rod socks, reel covers. Let me know if you need any more help spending your money.

One thing you can try is removing the treble hooks and going to a single on your crankbait. You will still collect some weeds once in a while but it will cut down on that, and the hooks tend to clear themselves with a couple of sharp jerks of the bait.

That makes 1 of you......

Please send any "stiff graphite rods" to me for proper disposal.... That is all.

Cork

I prefer the flat eye hooks, I know of at least one jig builder/designer that has stated that you apply more leverage to the hook with this design.