JackstrawIII

Senko Rage Bug Bellows Stick GOAT

I like them for long casting presentations like crank baits. You hear the DC “wheeeeeee” sound forever as that bait slings wayyyyyyy out there.

If you’re looking for a 6’6 rod, you could look at the St Croix Premier 6’6 MHF. A solid all around rod. Or the 6’8 Dobyns Sierra 4 power rod. I think that one is the 684. Both are solid, but not too solid, shorter rods. ps. I don’t JDM much, so can’t help you there.

Instead of rings, try using the Geecrack neko hack. They’re great.

I dropshot in the local river for walleye. Works great. Heavier current needs heavier weights.

Trust me, the answer is: Fanny pack. I have two of these. One set up for the river, one for ponds. They’re perfect. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BLTC5Z5F/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Though we can all agree that there is an inordinate amount of flopping and theatrics in soccer, people who never played the sport at a high level have NO IDEA how physical this game is. Soccer is an incredibly rough sport and guys are absolutely brutal to each other. Watch what happens in the 18 yard box during corner kicks sometime. It’s a zoo. Imagine what the guys would do to each other if the NFL only had 1 ref on the field… That’s what soccer is like.

I have a Curado DC that I use for crankbaits and I’m very happy with how it works.

Shore: I'd say 6/10. I like bank fishing because it really simplifies your approach. There are really only 3 questions: 1. How far can you walk? 2. How far can you cast? 3. How do I catch the fish that live within in that box? It really helps focus your fishing without trying to figure out an entire lake. Canoe: I like paddling canoes and am fairly adept with a paddle... but I hate fishing from a canoe. I've caught a lot of fish from a canoe and it's better than nothing, but it's always windy here and fighting wind/current is THE WORST. Hate hate hate. So, 3/10. Boat: I have a 17' boat with a trolling motor. I love my boat. I catch a lot of fish out of my boat... but I have no advanced electronics of any sort. So, maybe 6/10.

Ding ding ding.

I use the FG knot to connect braid that is 30lb or less to a leader of 6lb or more. Alberto knot for everything else. Let me explain. The FG knot is reliant on the braid being able to dig into the leader material. If the braid is too thick, or the leader too thin, this will not work reliably. In that case, the Alberto is great, since it's more of a "normal" knot.

I've had jobs where I make 3x what I make now... would NEVER go back to a job I didn't like. All these answers are just personal experiences, which is all we have to work from. And everyone is different. You'll find your own way. One last piece of advice, don't be afraid to change directions. Risk usually brings reward.

Honestly, I like the Dixie Chicks version best. What a voice!! Wow.

Ok, I'll play. This list is all over the place, but it's what I could think of in the moment. 1. "Maggies Farm" written by Bob Dylan, as covered by Rage Against the Machine. 2. "I Will Always Love You" written by Dolly Parton, as covered by Whitney Houston... duh. 3. "Hurt" written by Nine Inch Nails, as covered by Johnny Cash 4. "It's All Coming Back to Me Now" written by Jim Steinman, as covered by Celine Dion.

I use a weighted swimbait hook, which keeps the bait from spinning and twisting the line. So, no swivel for me. Ps. I also seem to catch more fish wish a slightly faster fall.

Congrats man, I've had a couple of those days over the years. I kinda wish every day was like that, but the fact that they're so rare makes them all the more wonderful.

Hard to imagine that. Crazy!

My experience is like yours and others that have commented. I've tried really hard to get into Shimanos, including several Curados, and some of them are smooth... but many of them aren't. I end up using my Daiwas more. Go for the Zillion.

I use 10lb braid to a 6lb hybrid leader. Never know when something bigger than expected is going to bite.

If you're fishing an exposed hook point, ML. If you're fishing with the hook point buried, M.

If I remember to change it once a year, I'm doing well. I do visually inspect it somewhat regularly and will change if it starts looking like it's getting beat up or if the spool is running low. I also recommend using backing on your reels and only using 100 yards or so of mainline (whether mono, fluoro, or braid).

Best: focus. I'm convinced this is why I tend to catch more fish than others I fish with. I get in the zone and make a lot of casts into every high percentage place I can find. Worst: focus. I get way too stuck in the plan I created before getting to the lake. Sometimes the fish are on a different page than I thought they would be and it is very hard for me to innovate/change once I get out on the water. I've heard it said that a strength over-extended always becomes a weakness.

I recently landed a 35” tiger musky caught on a fluke with straight 50lb braid. But, I think I just got lucky. Call it a “fluke” (pun intended). Steel or titanium leader is the way to go if you’re fishing where this sort of thing is likely.

It’s all about balance. Put one on each rod and see how it feels. Swap and try again. Most likely the heavier reel will feel better on the heavier rod, and vise versa.