JN94

I would go with braid on the baitcaster (or any reel for that matter. Line choice is in most cases a personal preference though). Imo fluorocarbon is not user friendly at all. It's easier to backlash, harder to pick out backlashes, and it won't cast as far as braid. It's also less sensitive and you'll have to replace it often. Braid can last for years. It's also a good choice given your specific rod since Dobyns are a little more moderate action. Anything in the 30-50lb range would be a good choice. I would tie a 15-20lb fluoro/mono leader. You can learn a double uni pretty easily and have the best of both worlds

How do you attach the blade direct to the eye?

You should give salt fishing a try. My parents live a little north of you in Pawleys Island and I spend as much time as possible chasing reds up there. Some of the best redfishing in the US is on the Carolina coast. You can use all your bass gear to go after reds, trout, flounder. It's not significantly different than bass fishing. You're still targeting structure, creek mouths etc. A lot of the same stuff applies

Do any retailers offer BF discounts on trolling motors? I haven't found any so far but it's also not officially BF yet. Anyone experienced this in past years?

I realize this isn't exactly "tackle" - but was curious if anyone knew from past Black Fridays if any retailers offered sales on trolling motors?

Expride

I would do multiple/larger AH but space is my issue. My battery compartment is built for two group 24s. Maybe could squeeze a 31 in there but I think it would be super tight or maybe not fit at all. I haven't measured it to confirm

I'm right handed. Cast and hold rod with right hand and retrieve with left. The way right handed people are supposed to do it 😂

Where do I find that info? I don't see it skimming thru their website

Rookie boat owner here. I've got a 17' aluminum Tracker that I want to make a few upgrades to. One is to buy a Power Pole Move trolling motor and upgrade to a 24v LiFePO4 battery for it. I keep reading conflicting things regarding how many AH I should be looking for. I read some things that say a 50AH will run a trolling motor "all day" and some that say 50AH will only last "a few hours". Some people have also noted that it depends on how much thrust the TM puts out. PP says the Move will put out 78lbs of thrust. Can someone help me understand here? If I were to buy a 50AH battery, how much run time can I expect out of my TM in average conditions?

How do you like this reel?? Been looking into them recently

30lb should be fine for light to medium cover. I wouldn't go any less than that

Was just thinking - TFO has a 7'1" M+ in their Bass Resolve line. I actually own one but only fished it a few times and it was a few years ago so I unfortunately can't tell you much about it. It's rated 3/8-7/8 but TFOs are also known to have slightly more tip than most other manufacturers which helps with casting lighter lures, so there's a chance it could throw a little lower than 3/8 effectively and do what you're looking for. On another note, I am happy to give you a good deal on mine if you're interested 😂

Eyestrike Trout Eye. They also have a "finesse" Trout Eye with a 1/0 that I like a lot. But is really more suited for 3" or less paddletails

I wouldn't due to braid's poor abrasion resistance. I love braid as a main line though

I think it's more of a weight thing than the hook. A "1/2oz" jig alone weighs closer to 3/4oz than it does 1/2 with the skirt + weedguard. The head is the only thing that weighs 1/2oz. Then add in your trailer that will likely be between 5-7g on average and you're not that far from a full ounce. Rods that can load that heavy aren't often great at pitching a weightless fluke that weighs ~7g. All that being said, I'd look for a rod rated between 1/4-3/4oz for what you're looking for. That is prob the best range to accomplish what you're trying to do

I think you're going to have a hard time finding a rod that can effectively fish 1/2oz jigs and throw weightless flukes. Those are two pretty different rods imo

Siebert or Beast Coast offers these. Both are great!

Haven't tied any jigs in a while but here's a few I had pics of

Anyone know the details on ALF's Legacy Elite Black Friday sale that opens today? I see a few things discounted but not much. They are supposedly opening up their BF sales early to their membership owners. Don't see anything specific on their site referencing that/an email, etc

I like any MH power rod in the Zodias or Expride line for jigs from 3/16-7/16

Hobie compass is exactly what you're looking for

Haha what makes you say that?

Anyone have any experience with this reel? Anyone know spool weight or if it can cast down to bfs-ish territory?

I would retie personally. I prob wouldn't let a knot run for any longer than a few months, and even less so if I'd been fishing with it