BBuck

FR 705CB - Dobyns Rods. I have this one and love it.

I get 500 packs of O-rings on Amazon for about 7$. You could also use those cheap hair ties from the dollar store and be just as good. My brother has even used a piece of a drink straw in a pinch.

Depends on where I'm fishing it. If in heavier cover where I think it could snag on something I might put the hook tip just under the plastic, or use something else if it becomes a bother. otherwise, I'd leave the hook resting just on the outside of the swimbait. I do the same thing for flukes.

IMO the highest gear ratio worth using would be in the 7:X:X range. It seems like you lose power the higher ratio you go. Most of my reels are 6:4:1 but I have one that is 5:4:1 for deep cranking and a couple 7:3:1 reels for flipping and topwater.

What do you mean by negative impact? Do you want it to fall slower or faster? The only negative I can think of when using 15lb braid is that is probably too light if you are fishing it in/around heavy cover. I would go up to at least 40lb braid at a minimum if that were the case. On the flipside, you would probably be better off with either 10-12 lb mono or FC if you aren't fishing any heavy cover. Not sure if I answered your question...

Jason Christie is pretty tall, I think he uses AFTCO gear.

Same thing for trucks too. Unfortunately, I'm looking to get both and am getting sticker shock! Even looking at very used trucks and boats is way expensive now. I need to find an angry new divorcee to get any boat at a reasonable price these days. lol

I'm probably a mix of 3, 4, and 5.

Dwight is spot on here, however, I have experimented and caught a few 5lbers in about a foot of water with a 6" drop shot here in Tampa, Fl. Might have been luck, idk.

I replace stuff when something breaks. Not necessarily with an upgrade though. If I know I want or like something, I'll wait till I find it on sale.

What kind of boat does this friend of yours have he used once?

I think the boomers (older generation) know better and but just get tired of being frustrated and of what other people think. The millennials ,raised by boomers, are just too ignorant to understand. Not cut and dry for everybody, but generally what I've seen. Technically I fit in the older end of the millennial generation but don't relate to most of them.

I have several Furys and have fished with the Mojos as well and both are great rods. I've never seen Falcon rods in any stores near me, so haven't even given them a fair look. I'll have to keep an eye out for them.

I'm in Tampa and we have gators everywhere around here as well. It is rare that I haven't seen a gator while kayak fishing. They usually never bother you and will leave you alone if you don't threaten them. I have had one or two come after a hooked fish as I'm reeling it in, but I'm not going to negotiate that with Mr. Gator. I usually try to stay away from them.

I think you are getting hung up too much on color. For soft plastics and jigs, generally darker colors work better in dirtier water and lighter or more natural colors work better in clearer water. This isn't a rule per say, think of it more as guidelines. I've caught fish in both super clear water and chocolate milk water on everything from black, yellow, blue, pink, purple, white, orange, junebug, green pumpkin, etc....The fish will tell you pretty quick what they want.

you can make your own cheap scupper plugs out of those foam practice golf balls and some nylon rope. I used them in my SOT kayak for years and it only costs a few bucks vs $20 or more.

I've found that black and blue works in any water. If not, throw green pumpkin.

Have you thought about getting into team tournaments? Some club tournaments do a draw format, so you can have a different boater or co-angler each tournament. Might be able to get some advice and experience from those folks. If I had my own boat, I don't think I'd let someone else be in the front but that is just me....

I have several Dobyn's Fury and Sierra rods and while they are at a lower price point than the champion rods, they are great. St. Croix has some awesome stuff too, but I've only ever used the Mojo Bass line in them. Both have almost the exact same warranty system which is much better than most other rod companies provide. I also like the Shimano rods, but their warranty isn't as good so I'd rather go with Dobyn's or St. Croix personally.

Motley Fishing sells tungsten jigs and weights at a decent price. I've caught plenty of fish using them so I know they work. Terry Ellis is the owner's name and he's probably got the best customer service I've ever seen with small fishing companies.

I agree with everything @BrianMDTX said. I've been using BM reels for years now and for the price, I think they can't be beat. They are workhorses. They are not top of the line and don't come with any bells and whistles, but they are reliable and get the job done at a fraction of the costs of other good reels. If you want to increase casting distance and smoothness of the reel, you could change out the bearings with something from spool speed bearings for another $20 or so. It does make a big difference and still keeps the reel under $80 or so. If I were to get any other reel, I'd probably go with Shimano SLX, which is usually right at $99.

It depends on where you are fishing, but Texas rigged on 5/0 EWG hook weightless or wacky rigged on a wacky rig hook with o-rings always work well for me.

of the Senko variety. lol

Yes and yes.

Yes I completely understand what you are talking about and you also did try to do something about it. No fish or piece of glass is worth getting shot over for real.