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I like a MH 6'6" with a short butt that fishes Mod Fast. Be aware that the label will probably read Fast.

OP, look away, that is true for lighter weight rods and smaller lures. For larger lures with heavier (and longer) rods, the correct cast may progressively involve any and all parts of one's anatomy. OP, safe to look again, The rod that will cast "best" will depend on what you are casting. Like some have suggested, a mid sized lure that casts well and a forgiving line (I like 12lb mono) will help. When trying to cast longer, don't think of casting "harder" cast "bigger" while keeping everything smooth. Set your tension knob, so there is no play in the spool, and set the brakes fairly high, back away the brakes as you get better. Just keep practicing and it will come.

I use them mostly for pike and pickerel in fresh water. I do catch bass occasionally on them. Slow steady works most days slight speed up or slow down is the ticket sometimes. Much like JBs fish will prefer something different on different days. Spoons are speed and rod sensitive. I fish a Johnson spoon with a feathered treble trailer for bass and think that is a better option than the Dardevle.

IPT specs are quoted on a "full" spool. As many have pointed out IPT is not a constant, it varies as one is casting and reeling. It is changing, just not in a significant or consequential way. But yes, another reason not to use big lines in tiny reels.

Turn it upside down and try it. If it works when it's flipped (or is it pitched) over, it's the spring that tensions the clutch. If not, and the problem is intermittent, then it's probably dirty or gummed. The yoke thing can crack too, but that is not as common.

I'll add P T Barnum, "A bass angler is born every minute"... Saw a radar shot showing lake effect snow all the way down to western MD a couple of weeks ago.

You park on the driveway and you drive on the parkway....

I've heard that if you grab it, you'll go blind, I still grab it...

I'll add 9" needlenose to your Xmas wish list...

If they don't bounce off the surface, they will work. Are they the best choice? Only one way to find out.

A swim jig is a great choice a lot of the time, It is more subtle and less intrusive than something with a blade, and can be customized with literally hundreds of different trailers to achieve a more subtle or more "ragy" action, as well as the desired size and profile. It is also a jig, so if you are working water with it and see a target that looks good, you can pitch it in there, or hop the bottom a bit (TTA). That being said, there are times when there is no better bait than a chatterbait. I wish that wasn't the case, but I also wish Montana was still the GOAT. And lastly, there is something about getting the blade combination on a spinnerbait just right, that almost seems like bass can't help but bite it if it passes in front of their face. Those 3 plus a squarebill is all I really fish in the pre spawn anymore. Sure a T-rig, Senko and several other things will catch them in the pre spawn, but I just don't see any value added.

Yes

When they are crashing a spinnerbait.

If it's a light wire hook you can bend it out with 30 lb braid, but a fish can only pull as hard as you do, It takes 2 jerks...

Sprayed grass or 420?

Input: Stop doing this: "...watched a TON of videos....and read as much as I can." And do this: Go fishing. Where in MD are you fishing? It's getting better by the day, and the next few weeks are a great time to learn on the water. PM me your # if you want and I can get you pointed in the right direction. I fish mostly in Southern MD, but am familiar with most spots between here and north.

Can you comment on the difference between Siege and Elite, and compare them to AN40 and BG. I'm thinking of trying one of the Suffix lines. (I hope my 3lb spool of BG doesn't see this)

I would step down to a 7' rod. Sure a lighter rod will help some, but a shorter one will help more.

The BPS is stouter and faster, similar action to Abu Garcia, and mid tier Shimanos. They fish quite differently.

Spinning gear will work fine for jigs, but I too think that a Med rod will be too light for a 3/8 jig. Can it be done? sure, but it will be less than ideal, with braid and a smallish trailer it will do in a pinch. A true MH spinning rod will work well. I have an old BPS (Extreme I think) MH that works for a bunch of different things fresh and salt.

Yeah, I saw that too. I was thinking about renting my house during Potomac river events, but if one of these yokels bathes his dog in my kitchen sink, I'd loose my mind.

I was going to say impress fishing buddies...

Try both and see which works better for you?

Marketing. St Croix is in a tough spot in the market. I think going more "Googan" is not the answer, but they have to do something.

I've seen this cloud to sun to cloud affect trout bite significantly, not so much bass, but up your way I can see that being more of a factor in clear water. Gonna keep an eye on it more. I fish a swim jig with a skinny dipper and a trailer hook quite a bit, started doing that after I took the blades off a spinnerbait with a big trailer and fish liked it. I still prefer fishing a spinnerbait best, if they'll bite it.