JediAmoeba

If you are only running a 2 foot leader, why bother?

Small Corks or earplugs

You really did posit your own question. The only way to tell the difference is to put it in your hands. Even when you take someone else's advice, it may not be right for you. There is even a difference in a manufacturer's speed in their different rods and lengths.

The most advanced is probably the power pro maxquatro. Its thinner and great when using 50# plus braid on a traditional baitcaster. It is expensive though.

One must keep in mind the rod you are using when throwing braid or mono for buzz baits. You can get away with a softer tipped rod when using braid.

I recently started using spro split snaps. I really like them and much of the time just leave the split ring on the lure with it.

Go fish some of the rivers for smallmouth and that's not a hard task.

I am in the 30 pound braid club too. Seems to be the perfect diameter for them...

I have one. It's still in the box hanging from a nail in my garage right below my monkey cage.

Power dropshotting to me is like throwing a power ned rig - doesn't make sense and is counterintuitive to the concept behind the technique.

Looks like some sort of South American Cichlid

I listen to Punk Rock.

You are necro-ing a 6 year old post to ask if it comes in a spinning version? Just google it man...

About 90% of the time I listen to music. I fish a fair amount at night and unless I am fishing topwater it let's me tune out everything else...including the beavers slamming their tails. Lol

Dude, you are right on the backdoor of some of the nation's greatest smallmouth fishing. Fishing in the summer is tough and without fronts rolling through or going at night the bite is tough. Take your kayak out and get on the Susquehanna! The only problem would be your line choice for the river- braid doesn't fare so well in the river. You could still use braid but go to a 20 foot or more fluoro leader for abrasion resistance on the rocks. Your set ups are fine. I don't like cranking with a spinning setup but that's more personal preference - it's very doable for most people. Your inability to catch fish on a bed rig probably has to do with your confidence, not casting to the right spots and I would guess fishing too fast. Fishing too fast is most of our problems when finesse fishing!

What part of Pennsylvania? I grew up in Western Pa and now live in Eastern Pa so I have pretty good insight on the waters

Almost all braid is stiff in the higher pound tests when it is new. Honestly go throw some musky lures around for a few hours and it's all broken in for you...

Personally I think big game is a great line for the price.

I use braid with leaders on just about everything. If anything does happen to my main line I take it all off and respool the whole thing.

My first muskie over 40" was caught on a Suick Thriller - the old wooden "jerkbait".

As someone who fished a lot of muskie baits that's what drew me towards these big swimbaits and glidebaits - they look so much better than the lures of old. Also, the names have definitely become convoluted....what's a Suick Believer? A lipless crank? Lol

I wanted to thank you guys for showing me these. After seeing them and seeing the price on ebay, I just knew I needed some. I didn't realize I needed 6 of them though until I had won 3 auctions of 2 each... sigh.

You could try vilecraws. Basically the same as rage crawls but they're my go to for chatterbait or jig trailer.

I feel those worn in senko that are starting to look like they have been through a pricker bush work better than a new one.

http://www.luckycraft.com/luckycrafthome/Products/jerkbait/pointer128.htm