Rockhopper

I have tried them. MAJORLY overpriced for what they are. Do they work? Yes. Are they worth it compared to other cheaper offerings? Absolutely not. Durability is ok...I would say average. 6" and 7/8" Megabass and Bass Mafia swimbaits work just as well at one third the cost. 4" Mayors work just as well as the micro's, and are also cheaper. They are cool, but definitely not worth the price. They are not some magic swimbait that is better than others.

In.

7'6" and 8' depending on glide size and open water vs. close quarters casting.

I already have a bunch. I own about 10 or 15 Karashi's at this point in different colors.

^ This. I fish glides similar to a jerkbait retrieve. Works well.

Well I jumped on the custom color drop from The Hook Up for the Spro Chad Shad. Can't wait to try them out.

Is it weird I know exactly where this photo was taken? 😆

Pretty much every fish species where I live has some sort of season.

That bait is on my short list. Waiting for the color I want to be in stock.

And get boots that fit tight. EVERYTHING loosens up when you get in the water. Been wading/fly fishing for decades. I recommend waders that you can layer under...not thick neoprene. Avoid built in boots as they usually suck. Get quality boots and highly recommend felt bottoms or a set that has bottoms you can switch out between felt and vibram. Korkers are a great choice for boots. Simms stuff is nice but there is better out there for less money. Dryft waders that I recommended before are better than any Simms I have had in the past. Don't forget a quality wading belt and squish yourself into a ball and get all the air out prior to fastening belt. Don't want to be a parachute in current.

Which illustrates my point perfectly. If there was a chance I would hook into a fish of that size, I would want a deep spool and zero backing.

Could this really be the year?

I will never understand backing, no matter what you guys say. If you only need less than 100 yards of line, buy a reel with the appropriate size spool. Why have a 200 size reel if you only have half of that with usable line and the rest some sort of backing? Last thing I want is a knot from backing to mainline to fail, especially considering the cost of baits I use now days. Not for me and never will be, and will never make sense in my head (though your reasons make sense).

100% this year and the Megabass Karashi.

Best I've ever used/seen and I have been through a few in my life. https://dryftfishing.com/shop/s14-adrenaline-wader/

Suspending glide bait swimbait and a football jig with a realistic craw trailer would be two I would think are the most "natural"

Catch more...absolutely not. Catch more on bigger bodies of water that are a pita to access with the kayak and the slow moving drift boat...100%. It would allow me opportunities to fish new areas, new lakes, etc.

Mako knee?

There is one, but it is a spinner. Quite a bit different characteristics on the retrieve. Sinks faster too.

The Megabass vision 110 SR "shallow runner" my be exactly what you are after, though, it doesn't walk like a Karashi.

MicroBuzz from JigMasters is a nice little unit for what it is.

I will reiterate what others have said about steelhead rods. They are light and long and exactly what you are describing. I have several in casting and spinning. My favorite, though not made anymore, is a 9' Cousins spinning rod.

Based on looks alone, I would buy a Loomis all day long over a megabass rod.

I am sure it would. I use my 8'6" Loomis salmon rod for big swimbaits bass fishing.

I do it all the time when I want more action of the bait. Works well for me.