PaulVE64

The OP speaks to me and this is what i thought... I have suffered this lack of confidence as well and for me the solution was to pick up a jig rod. And throw jigs of different sizes each day into clear water with a pebble -rock bottom. The key here is to watch the line/ bait as your going over the terrain. Eventually i even closed my eyes. I did it for weeks until i felt like i had it dialed in. Then go fish and set hook on EVERYTHING that feels different.

I have a 300 as well Its indestructible so i use it for float n fly for steelhead. But it would also work for crankbaits and topwater.

Deer hair collar with a maribou tail. Smallies love em dragged or hopped along the bottom like a sculpin or goby https://www.instagram.com/pvaneyk64/p/CYITaG3sjre/?utm_medium=copy_link

How many guys on the pro circuits get out of the boat to fish?

I dont throw Dobyns myself so i could be way off here but ive heard dobyns rod actions run a bit slower than the stC i throw. If thats true the mf tip might make that rod more of a swimbait/crankbait rod rather than a jig rod. I use my ML rods for jigs. Sorry i cant help more.

I find it easier to cast a shorter rod from the bank. I can cast from tighter spots so i have more spots i can cast from.

6 ft HMG med light with the Nasci or any one of the daiwa LT reels

Set The Hook tubes in "juvenile goby" and "smokey melon" in 2.5" or 4"

When my soft plastic trailers start looking like hunks of frozen rubber on the hook a zonker strip still looks super fishy with just tiny bit of movement

Little plastic scraps on a jigs i tie up. https://www.instagram.com/p/CVOxDK6s55I/?utm_medium=copy_link Edit - i would throw on a black double tail anyday of the year https://www.instagram.com/pvaneyk64/p/CX5AkMdMdGB/?utm_medium=copy_link

Rodshopper is my new best friend

I will only speak to my own experience which is river fishing smallies in SW Ontario Canada. I throw a 7 ft light stC with a 3000 reel. My line is 6 to 8 lb hi vis jbraid 8. I put a rubber bobberstop on first. Then an inline bobber and at the end ofvthe braid goes a swivel. (Edit - i add split shot as needed just above the swivel) Tie on 6# mono leader about 3ft long. (On a side note a longer rod allows this leader to be longer which is one good reason to use a 9ft rod - my next purchase?) Here is what goes on the end. https://www.instagram.com/p/CULn5mbpdmS/?utm_medium=copy_link Last piece of advice is to put on 2 bobber stops if you plan to dedicate some hours into it. The stops do slide after a few trips.

Split shot rig works in my rivers and creeks. Sometimes I will even forget to tie on a crankbait.

Spoon with a single hook

Bucktail - get natural, black and olive Deer hair - get white and olive Strung Marabou - get black and chartruese if you're targetting smallies. Saddle hackle - get rust Rabbit zonkers - get black, olive and brown. Don't get crosscut. Flash - get black, gold and chrome

Pit boss jr Sweet beaver Menace grub

Ive caught one december bass

Honestly, I may be lazy, but all my setups are braid to mono leader

Early June of '22 i am likely headed into the southern "bass" waters of Algonquin with atleast one brother for an annual fishing trip, this trip via canoe. We will be trying for brookies and maybe a musky. Planning it this winter

Location > Presentation But, I fish river smallies

1/8 to 5/8 oz ball head light wire jigs depending on current and snags. I like to go as slow as possible without loosing every jig. Menace grubs, baby pit boss. Baby rage craw

Bought it this spring.

I have a 6 ft mlf for rivers and creeks. The tip is not as fast as my st croixs

My fishing is 95% done on rivers and creeks for smallies, pike or walleye. My setups are all spinning. 6-6 light fast 6 ft ml fast 6 ft ml moderate fast 7 ft med fast 6-6 med moderate 7 ft MH fast I may get a 8-6 mlf for hair jigs, drop shot and float n fly

I bought a 2pc St Croix Avid about 5 yrs ago. This summer i snapped the tip taking it out of my car. Called up the factory to ask about buying a new tip and they asked me to send them photos of the rod. For $25 they sent me a new tip. They also offered me an upgrade.