Rockhopper

I think considering inflation for the past 5 years or so the best VALUE in rod lines right now are the Shimano Exprides when they go on sale. They fish like a high end rod, but can be had at the $225 price point on sale. A $200 rod today does not get you what a $150 to $200 rod would 5 years ago imho. Other than that, I would turn to St Croix at the $200 given price point.

Oh man that is a tough question. I guess if I had to pick only one best Shimano baitcaster from my last 40 years of fishing to cover all types of fishing...I guess I would probably have to go with the '22 Bantam. The Curado 50/200e were killer, the Curado 150 mgl is killer, and the Curado 70 mgl is just fantastic too. The 20 Mets are absolutely fantastic, but I do not LOVE them enough to justify the price. What the fishing world needs as mentioned in a post above...we NEED a 22 Bantam with a magnesium body like the Met. That would be the best reel they have ever produced. Hello? Shimano? Are you listening?

medium heavy moderate fast if I could only have one. St. Croix makes some nice blanks with that taper. As does Loomis with their 843 mag bass series.

My most productive jig by far is the Riot Baits Lil Creeper tungsten jig matched with a Reaction Innovations Smallie beaver or a Riot Baits Little Fuzzy beaver. It is compact, but not finesse size. I buy them a dozen at a time. I can't even tell you how many bass I have caught on that setup. It flat catches fish. It is made well, and has a super stout hook. Siebert Outdoors, Pepper Custom Baits, and Dirty Jigs are the only other jigs I use. For a full size jig, I definitely prefer Pepper Custom Baits to all others I have tried. https://riotbaits.com/products/lil-creeper-jig https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Pepper_Custom_Baits_Pro_Football_Jigs/descpage-PEPFBJ.html

Any difference in the JDM and USDM Bantam's?

Well, that is only two fish in about 30 hours of fishing. I guess I did catch some trout too, but that doesn't really count. The water temps are still too cold here. And the lake I frequent is about 4 feet above normal full pool. Some of the flats around the lake shore have about a foot of water on top of them that are normally dry. It is currently like trying to figure out a whole new lake. I am fishing in places that I have never seen under water in the 10 years I have been going there. Kinda weird.

What is even better is that is the very first time I used a chad shad, and the very first fish I caught on a big glide bait. 2025 has been a slow start for me regardless as I have caught only two fish. But they were both pretty quality fish. A four pound smallie and this beast.

I would have been a contender from the fish I caught this weekend. State record is 12.5.

Thanks all! I tell ya, it was an awesome experience, though. This particular section of lake had overhanging blackberries down to the waters surface. Threw that Chad Shad up in a small hole and it didn't even hardly hit the surface and everything exploded! I could immediately tell it was giant. Gave me a good fight for awhile and I was able to lip her and get her on the yak.

I'm so mad. This is going to sound like fish story. Landed my first DD of my life today. Estimate between 10 and 11 lb. I've caught an official 9 before, and this was much bigger. Hooked it on a Spro Chad Shad in threadfin color. Had it on the kayak. Reached around to open my bag to get my scale out and flop flop and she was gone! Knocked my rod in the water on the way out of the boat too! Luckily I was in about 2 feet of water at the time, so I was able to retrieve my gear. My new bantam and rod and swimbait was all laying on the botom! But I'm so d**n mad I couldn't get an official weight on her. She was an absolute unit.

Welcome!

It's an art for sure. And as stated above, it's all about the immersive experience as a whole. No other form of fishing is as satisfying to me than being a mile or two up a small creek away from the world and people. Just me, my rod, nature, and the elusive fatty that could be waiting behind every ripple of water. That's as close to nature that I've ever felt in my life. It's greatly satisfying.

It's a '79? I am confused because the thinner upper side trim looks like an '80, but the grill itself looks like a '79. I know there were round eye '80's, but the grill isn't 1980.

That is almost the exact list I am working towards. Very cool!

I relate fly fishing to archery hunting. Harder than everything else, but extremely satisfying once you figure it out. I fly fish more than I bass fish.

And when the apocalypses happens, those will be the only vehicles we are driving around in!

Already ordered mine 😁

I have two bass spinning rods. One always stays at home. The other gets used A LOT. Its a bit more than your stated budget, but for me it is worth the investment as I am not buying a bunch of spinning rods. So I figured one good one and done. G Loomis 822s mag med dsr and a Shimano Vanford. I personally have the nrx+ series, but it can be had in the cheaper rod lines (GCX). Light as a feather. Covers all my spinning needs perfectly. It is such a good combo that I hold it in the highest praise. I smile every time I use it. From what I have read, people also say that if they only had one, they would choose the Loomis 852s. Although, I am not sure of the availability of the 852s in cheaper lines as I have never shopped for one.

First bass of the year. Caught one of @pdxfisher's footballs in the same spot, but from the bank. This one ate a Riot Baits Lil creeper about 6" in front of my toes.

Hard to beat elegy bone and mat shad

I am jealous. That sounds like a really fun time. Relax and just enjoy the day on the water!

Just Washington and Oregon for me

never really stop fishing personally

Split it and forget it

6'3" Cherokee and Irish