Pantera61

learn from me ... go with F not XF

Along with black and craw colors, I have found bluegill patterns to be excellent in clear to lightly stained water, especially around the spawn and just after. Use a smallie beaver in sprayed grass or big texan(?) and you're golden!

That is almost exactly how I wacky rig, except if don't cover the hook eye. I keep it so the worm lays horizontal, hook point and shank.

well, magnetic brakes were marketed as ease of use for the beginner.

I'll take a reel with a magnetic brake and you can take a reel with a centrifugal brake, same rod, same line. We'll see which performs better. Part of that "competence" you speak of is knowing which end of the shovel to pick up.

Yup, magnetic brakes were originally introduced for the beginning angler BUT as with most things in life put it into the hands of an expert and it begins to do wonderful things. Consider the centrifugal brake as axe and the magnetic brake as a stiletto. The centrifugal brake is perfect for throwing heavy baits, like cranks, spinnerbaits and T and C rigged plastics long distances or flippin' heavy jigs and worms at rod tip range. Magnetic brakes provide precision spool control for tactics such as skipping a bait, pitchin' a bait and finesse plastics. it takes just as much thumb control to skip a bait using casting tackle, if not more so. It's boils down to the old shop class adage, "Use the right tool for the right job."

1 in 6'3" for tight spots and close targets 1 in 6'8" if you're casting over long weedbeds or along riprap

I started using braid on spinning reels for power finesse apps. It works so well, I'm using it for light applications like flick shakes and open water apps.

Use tungsten nail weights, as mentioned above. Insert the weights in the thick end.

Is there anyone making a bait similar to the above with no scent? Simple baits. The hand cut tails were really nice. Guido Special was the best. Thanks

I draw a distinction between the two based upon the toughness of the root system and thickness of the stem such as lilypads, reeds, cattails, etc. You get hung up in those and a softer action rod may lead to lost fish.

What kind of shallow environment? Open areas, such as weedlines and riprap or timber? In the open, you may get away with fiberglass but in heavy timber and near emergent vegetation, a MH with a fast tip might be better. It will help you take control of the fish. In my experience, when fish are hitting aggressively, graphite or glass are fine. When fish are biting light, I want the advantage of graphite's sensitivity.

Braid is great for finesse. I go back and forth on the leader necessity. Currently, not using a leader.