QED

Cork bicycle handlebar tape might work well in this application.

The Phenix K2 Torzite ML/F is an excellent, lightweight rod. Also check the vendors that sell JDM tackle for a wider selection of Shimano Poison Adrena casting rods.

I pictured one (see photo above) but didn't specifically mention it. It's a brilliant reel and worth every penny. The Stella FK isn't bad either.

Cf. Bell's Theorem. Non-causal vs non-local are both viable options so one doesn't need to conclude FTL action at a distance.

The multiverse or many-worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics is not the only view. The less elegant collapse-of-the-wave-function-upon-observation (Copenhagen view) interpretation is still a viable alternative and in either case you might get knots in an unpredictable state - I presume you are attempting to apply physics humor to this thread, but only mathematicians and physicists would get it.

The Phenix K2 TX-S 713ML is a pretty versatile and light ML spinning rod.

Shooting and fishing? Hobbies that I've had since my early teens. Neither is particularly popular or politically correct here in Silicon Valley. Not to insult anyone, but I consider these to be roughly analogous to redneck golf. High precision and interesting equipment/gear and require excellent technique to be successful. Beats actual golf any time.

Lipless crankbaits work well for inadvertently catching striped bass where they co-exist with largemouth bass. That's not a bug but rather a feature!

Pure road and velodrome cyclist here. All my gruppos are Italian/Campy. To me, Shimano is just a fishing tackle vendor. ? (Yes, I know they do the highest volume business in the cycling component space.)

Not intending to be argumentative but just haven't seen this. I have Steez reels that I've used perhaps as long as eight years and also ones that are almost brand new. The Steez CT SV TW 70 is my current favorite reel and it's been brilliant. YMMV and apparently does, but I stand by my remarks.

The Pixy Type-R and Steez reels aren't "geary" at all so my experience with Daiwa has been entirely different from yours.

These are the rods/reels I used as a teenager. They still work as well as new, though I've long since moved on to higher tech stuff. Pity Ryobi got out of the fishing tackle business. Once I was accepted to college during early admissions, I frequently cut high school to go fishing in the San Joaquin County delta system. Good times.

I'll take the contra view. Here in Silicon Valley, shooting and fishing sports aren't that popular so having a decent sporting goods store that stocks a wide variety of things is more than welcome.

Wow, an original pre-64 Winchester Model 70 in 270! For earlier generations, that was sort of the holy grail - perhaps the late Jack O'Connor's favorite rifle. I'm a .243/6mm caliber fan due to the high ballistic efficiency of the available bullets, but that's a view that only became viable when fast twist barrels became commonly available.

I've used frogs and frog poppers with equal success. For still water, I use the plain frog and in choppier water, I use the popper.

Some eclectic high end reel options:

You're the one who asked "if money wasn't a factor" so if you don't like the response, that's on you. If budget is a constraint then just say so.

None of the above. Have you even researched the high end?

I focus on weight, functionality, and fit-and-finish which implies high end gear, which tends to be a bit blingy, but in a more understated way. Note the [very] recent FK model on the left.

I love frog fishing (i.e., fishing for frogs)! Or did you mean something else? ?

My nearby lake (Grant Lake in SJ CA) looked like this last summer. It then cleared up but by late fall we had a toxic algae bloom. Sometimes you just can't win...

Blue Fox Vibrotail Minnow. Works well as a jig or rigged like a Beetle Spin. Caught more fish on these than any other single size/type bait and it works for many types of fish - not just bass. I bought a decent stash off the large auction site, so I'm still using them.

I'm in the downsize camp too but only more so. For bank fishing at the nearby (4 mi) lake, I use a single ultralight rig (whether casting or spinning), and a small ziploc bag (or two) stuffed in my pocket(s) with just a small handful of finesse baits and tackle. Hasn't hurt my fishing productivity at all - in fact, it increased line in the water time since I spend less time fussing with tackle.

Stella FK 1000 on the left and Stella FJ 1000 on the right. A refinement iteration - darker finish, slightly smoother out of the box, better gear profile/contour, etc., but the slower spool oscillation seems like it might be interesting. Haven't had a chance to field test it yet.

Most local sporting goods/tackle stores don't stock high end stuff and forget about finding any JDM specific stuff in US stores, so yes - internet ordered stuff only.