Reel

I've got an Expride 7' 4'' H that I use to throw 6 inch Magdraft, Keitech Fat and 5,8 Rhythm Waves on a weighted hook (1/8 oz). I like it a lot and it's wonderful for what I'm doing. I don't want an hyper sensitive rod for that kind of presentation. I want the fish to take the BIG lure. What you feel is the absence of weight more than the strike of the fish with these lures. The Expride gives you that.

The main reason : that would be precision. I'm more precise when I'm pitching with fluoro then with braid. But there are others.

Try both , small and large hooks, and see what you like. Most times, a good hook is better than a large hook. The smallmouths I catch are bigger than most largemouth and pull harder. They also live close to weeds and I have never had a hook brake or bend.

I think you'll catch more fish with a smaller hook like a # 1. A ned rig is a small bait that works better with a small hook.

I can say that I KNOW my favorite lake that is part of a river system between two dams. It doesn't change much because the water level is stable. I've been fishing it 2 or 3 times a week for the last 25 years. I like going to familiar places in the morning but will use the afternoon to go to sections that I have never visited before so I've been around most of this lake that is pretty big. I know the lake but that doesn't mean I know the fish. I forgot to say that the water is very clear usually. You can see 20 feet down most times. So this helps with the KNOWING part.

Not an answer to all your questions but if you want to have fun, use one of those MH baitcasting rods with mono to throw a large topwater walker ( 4 inch minimum ) in a pale color like bone or white. Nothing more exciting than watching a smallmouth knock one of those a couple of feet in the air and staying there waiting for it to land.

Tough to give advice in this situation. But this is what I would do. First, '' What is old spinning gear ? Is it that old ? Is the drag in good shape ? I would use heavier line. Some of today's braids are much thinner and much stronger. You could get away with 25 lb. for spinning. Using side pressure to lead the fish away from grass is a GOOD idea. I try to fight the fish in the open... getting away from the grass if possible. I use my ELBOW. Putting the rod grip under your elbow... you get much more power. When I loose a bass because it jumped, I count it as caught because of the show. I don't fish tournaments anymore.

Nothing. I have Shimano spinning reels ( some that date back 25 years) and I haven't change anything ... but the line on them.

If you want innovation and think out of the box, you could use a jerkbait on a drop shot rig and jerk it. That way, you would only loose the weight if you got hung up. The action would be different also.

It depends on the type of rolling motor but on my Ultrex I use tape.

Balance is something very personnal. I don't like NEUTRAL. For Drop Shot and Ned I want tip down. For Shakey and Waky, I want tip up.

I have a 1000, a 2000, a 2500, a 3000 and a 4000. That's a great price.

I don't know how old your Stradic is but it's a pretty reliable reel. Maybe all it needs is a good cleanup and lube job. I have a Vanford on a Zodias ML 7'2'' and it's a great outfit. The Vanford is 2 onces less and it shows, specially with finesse techiques.

I shook a minnow a lot during the 2025 bass season and these are my conclusions Minnow shaking is a specialized technique that is easier with specialized equipment. I use Shimano rods so I started with an SLX-A 7 foot M/F spinning rod. It was ok but a little stiff for what I wanted to do. (1/8 oz heads). I was muuch better with heavier (3/16) heads. Used a Curado 7 foot M/F that had more tip action and things were better- light head/ 5 inch lure. Now I am using an Expride 7'2' ML that's very good for lure action and keeps the fish pinned better. I'm looking forward to trying a solid tip rod, but it's a bit more expensive.

Shimano Macbeth 39 Tiny maybe.

A bit far-fetched but I liked the small handle until I used a 4000 Vanford. I still like the small handle for the feel, but I think the bigger handle give you more sensitivity. Lots of thumb area on top to enhance the feeling I guess.

Jackall Rerange MR or 110 + 1 are the ones I like. Colors I like, Mat Perch, Mat Shad

I want the lure from 1 to 3 feet above the fish.

For me, tube jig fishing limits itself to smallmouth with a spinning outfit. Casting a fairly heavy tube (1/4 to 1/2 oz head) with open hook in a large river is what I do. I use a NRX 852 and a Stradic that for me, is the ultimate combo.

Test to see if braid is slipping on the spool. Tie line to solid object. Walk back and take line out of spool until part of the side of the spool is visible. Press hard on the side of the spool with a finger and pull. If the braid turns and the spool doesn't because you are holding it, braid is slipping and you have to respool.

Shimano Sellus

We've been brought up with pictures of large bass waiting in ambush in a special place. It happens but with time and a lot of time on the water, I think more and more bass move and they move a lot.

The worst thing that can happen to a passionate fisherman is catching a fish on every cast. I've been there and don't want to go there again. Yearning is what makes it fun.

I have both, the 6' 10'' and the 7' 2'', I use the six foot ten for dropshotting and the seven foot two for ned rigs. The six footer has a faster , softer tip. I think the 7' 2'' would be ideal for jighead minnows.

Not far, 40 minutes to the best spot on earth.