JonB2

Just a softer tip rod compared to fast. Fast action is more sensitive; xfast is the most sensitive. If you have sparse cover and a more open area and want to protect against pulled hooks…moderate action works

Well, with almost no real info on what “basic bass fishing” constitutes to you…I’d suggest a good 10-12lb test mono since that’s what you want to use. Frogging is heavy fishing, but if your cover is more scant and not super sloppy…good 10-12lb can do a lot. I’d focus on other things to start than immediately going to top water…which seems like all people go for these days. Run a solid MF 7’ spinning rod with a 2000-2500 size reel with Big Game mono and you’ll be good for quite a bit of stuff

Don’t fish like a Man, fish like a Woman. No thinking, just feel it out. Bass after bass after bass lol

I’m newer to bass fishing hardcore, but grew up in the 90’s and laughingly, that’s how fish a lot. Casting jigs with trailers are my go to and Texas-rigged powerworms when I’m in thick grass/weeds. Worms, like jigs, get bit on the drop quite often as I’m sure weed lying bass react vs respond. Atleast that’s been my greenhorn experience

Had a couple solid days bank fishing in NMI. Smallmouth have long vacated this trib after the spawn, but largemouth remain and conditions have been great. Warm spells followed by rain and cool downs have fish feeding and happy. They’re finally starting to gain weight and recover from spawning. It was a longer, drawn out cycle with fish well into June. Since I fish from shore, I have to deal with a lot of “stuff”. Despite this, I am driven by the challenge of “what can I do today with what I’m given”. That’s always my approach, I am always confident…even when I know better. So I fish with purpose, but for my own e…njoyment. I fish in Michigan, and am realistic with my expectations. I fish for “keeper” sized fish which are 14” in MI. Nice bass for me are 16” or larger. A big bass in this state is 21-22”+; 20+ is d**n solid. The first day was a bunch of very average 12-15” fish that were really liking a pumpkin jig with an orange twin tail in the bright sun. I also got fish on senkos an even the ol’ pre-rigged worm. Nearer the end of the afternoon, I hit a good fish on a creature bait right after hopping it over a weed patch and letting it fall in the current straight down the edge. As soon as it hit bottom and before I even had my slack up all the way, thump! Day maker for sure. Second day was darker sky so I went with my go to all year, black on blue jig. Got some 12-13” and a couple decent 16-17”. I had a shot at an 18”+ fish on a senko, but totally adrenalized the hookset and she looped around, ate the free senko and continued on lol

I’m a river guy anyways, but would consider any current worth fishing. Fish are nearly always drawn to flow in some way or another. In summer, I’d 100% fish any current in a lake

Fisherman become as skilled as they want to be. They fish as simple or complicated as they want. I’m good all around fishing, period. I’m newer to bass hardcore, but not having any trouble because I’m a fisherman, not just a bass fisherman. It’s rare I can’t get it done if I go, new water or not. I can read water and just have strong observation skills

I’d put 15lb braid with 10lb leader on your spinning rig and 20lb braid with 12lb leader on your caster. You could bump up on both if needed for leader. Both sizes of braid have very small diameter and will cast and feel very solid for you.