QED

If you have discovered a productive bait, e.g., in my case the TRDs, then I wouldn't even consider taking them out of the rotation unless I found something even better in that bait category. Given the time and energy most enthusiasts spend on fishing related activities, the incremental costs of TRDs are trivial.

After building quite a number RC models with blue loctite, it seems blue loctite is pretty harmless to threads. Loctite characterizes it as "removable medium strength" and "removable with standard hand tools." In any event, used sparingly, it won't damage your threads. Just don't use red loctite!

I weighed a strike king mini and it weighed closer to 1/4 oz rather than 1/8. Powder scale, very accurate and precise. In general spinnerbaits seem to be heavier than stated weight. Perhaps the stated weight just refers to the lead jig head portion?

I bought several Shimano Poison Adrena rods, both US models and JDM models and all were made in China. But the materials and workmanship were just what you would expect in a higher end rod, so I didn't give it any further thought.

Your honor, I respectfully plead the fifth amendment... ?

No doubt a great reel and I'm glad to see that you continue to put it to good use. But with the Daiwa Steez Air and various Shimano Alderbaran BFS reels all under 5 oz, you've got to admit that modern materials and workmanship (at the high end) aren't too shabby

As one who has used most of the current higher/highest end Shimano and Daiwa UL/BFS reels (spinning/casting), on a purely functional basis, I couldn't imagine volitionally using a vintage reel in that class, though I do understand that nostalgia and fond memories are powerful motivators. But just the weight delta is massive (pun intended)!

For small frogs, the Booyah Pad Crasher Jr works fine for me and are relatively inexpensive. The small SPRO Poppin' Frog 40s also work well.

I use VMC Black Nickel DuoLock snaps (no swivels) in size 00 for most hardbaits, jigs, and closed loop spinnerbaits (all less than 1/4 oz). The snaps are rated at 20 lbs whereas the line I use with them is in the 2 - 8 lb test range, so the snaps are not the weak link in the chain. The snaps are quite a bit lighter than the split rings that they replace. That and the added convenience - plus the fact that they don't have any practical downsides - makes it an easy choice for me. YMMV.

Based on the cited article, gas cars already use fluorocarbon. If excess incremental demand is met with additional supply then price increases aren’t inevitable. Basic MicroEcon 101 stuff. Sometimes, it’s best just to wait and see. In addition, as noted by others above, there currently are reasonable substitutes available, so no need for panic buying.

The 22 Steez CT SV TW was introduced earlier this year, so there has already been a new Steez release this year.

Ryobi V-Mag Lite VM3G casting reel and Ryobi MGT1 spinning reel. Early graphite models that still function well to this very day, however these are noticeably less smooth than modern gear - not due to wear, that's just how they were!

Use hyberbole much? Or are we to infer that a mid-tier SC rod is even better than SC's corresponding, top-of-the-line Legend Xtreme XFC68MXF rod? Um OK...

The Vanford 500F has one too but not the larger ones in that series.

From left to right: Vanford C2000HGF, Vanford 1000F, or if you want to do something totally different, there's always the ludicrous splurge option. ? I think the 1000 form factor is the best compromise of size and weight for the rod you selected.

The Shimano Vanford series is pretty useful in this application. It comes in 500, 1000 and 2000 sizes and the latter two weigh the same at about 5.3 oz. The 500 is actually just a reskinned version of the JDM Soare CI4+ 500S (4.9 oz), but it does have an anti-reverse switch if that matters to you. Any one of them will work fine for panfish. I've even caught decent sized bass on all of these reels using 4 and 6 lb test, but that definitely requires quite a bit of finesse.

Thanks for volunteering! Let us know what you find.

I'm not familiar with Daiwa's HLC (hyper long cast) spools specifically, but the designation seems consistent with the OP's stated purpose.

For the minor price difference (based on the price data you cited), I'd save the 1/2 oz in reel weight and get the Steez. I have numerous Steezes (mostly in the BFS/light range, e.g., Steez AIR TW 500XXH, Steez CT SV TW 70 XH, etc.) and haven't had issues with any of them

Ultra light (per rod label) Shimano graphite pistol grip casting rod with aluminum reel seat. The line and lure weight range suggests that this rod would be considered BFS these days. Shimano Aldebaran BFS XG reel with 6-lb test mono. Still catching bass as well as ever!

I know the feeling. Not a zillion hd or sv tw but BFS class Shimano reel with 8 lb test:

Le Bernardin Crispy Black Bass Recipe. Even though Le Bernardin is a three Michelin star restaurant, this recipe is relatively simple and accessible to motivated home cooks. You're welcome. https://madeincookware.com/blogs/crispy-black-bass-recipe-chef-anthony-gray-le-bernardin

It was the "multiple ounce bait on a high speed BFS reel" part that I wasn't able to infer since there are very light A-rigs as I noted above. Otherwise I would have assumed that it was humour.

BFS reels typically have smaller diameter spools so the net effect is that the IPT is in the normal range. I have a Shimano 22 Aldebaran BFS XG with an 8,9:1 gear ratio and it presents no problematic issues relating to the ratio.

LiveTarget makes small A-rigs (1/4 and 3/8 oz - they come fully assembled) where retrieving with high speed IPT/gear ratios is not tiring at all.