Darren.

Chunky lady there! What kind of prototype are you testing?

Aloha and welcome aboard!

I like a rod that is MXF normally, but if I was doing all the above as you ask, I'd look at a MLXF St. Croix. I do, in fact, do all the above with my rods of choice. Their rods are a tad stiffer than other rod ratings at the stated rating. So a St. Croix ML is in between other ML and M rated rods, usually. There are no true standards, hence the wacky ratings game. You could also look at St. Croix Premiere rods that will fall in the $100-$130 range. Also great. I personally find Croix rods tip heavy, but I'm also using lighter Shimano 1000 size reels. So they'd balance better with a 2500... Last thing: I use older Shimano Compre 5'9" MXF, a BPS Carbonlite 6'6" and mod'd 6'3" MF rods, and a St. Croix Legend Tournament 6'3" MLXF rods mainly. Also use BPS MicroLite rods which are quite nice at their lower price point.

Welcome aboard, Reilly! For your purposes, at $150 and below, I'd probably look at a St. Croix Avid at the high end, then I'd look at Bass Pro Carbonlites at the $100 mark. I know there are a ton of rods in your range, and in that range a LOT are really good quality. If you can get your hands on several, say in a Bass Pro, Cabelas, or local tackle shop, and do bring the reel you plan on using. Pair them up in-store and feel the balance to your hands. I love the lightness of the Carbonlites. Lighter than Avids, and, dare I say, about as sensitive. More suggestions will come...

I'm a soft plastics/finesse guy, too. Breaking out spinnerbaits this year (and at this point, finesse spinnerbaits, LOL). Caught my first sb fish on one last weekend, a pickerel, in an otherwise dead day. Using Strike King's Pond Magic models. Will use heavier versions soon enough. Still going to concentrate on my staples of wacky and drop shot, though. I'm out for fun and numbers

If you have big hands, that could be an issue. I've not had issues with it, could also be how I hold the reel -- between pinky and ring fingers except on cast.

Welcome aboard, @Indave! I don't often fish in rain unless I'm caught in an unexpected shower. Bit of a weather junkie and am *usually* on top of things, but I've been surprised on occasion That said, I'd probably have Frog Togs on hand since they're inexpensive.

Is 25mph predicted to "gusts up to" or steady? Coves will be your friend on days like that.

You want the wind to be your friend, meaning, cast with it, not against it I've been out in my kayak on crazy windy days, one day the winds whipped up to 40 mph while I was ON the water - fortunately very close to shore, but I stayed and fished for a spell before deciding to call it what it was. Stupid. It also turned out to be accompanied by a tornado watch... That said, a heavy anchor (assuming waves aren't swamping you). You can also use it to drift and fish. I tend to stay home now on really windy days. Just isn't worth the time and effort. Now if the wind is such that certain of my fav spots are shielded, I'll go fish them.

Just to add something to the brand discussion: size. I looked up some suggestions above, e.g., Gambler Ace, and see they start at 5", which does seem to be the most popular size for some reason.... But I have way more success with 4" than 5" (still use 5"). So when I look for a brand, I want to know there are at least 4 and 5" sizes. Therefore, GYCB, Stik-O are my go-to (yes, YUM and others offer 4, but just don't dig 'em as much).

Ok, I've got experience with the Spirex as I own two. They are solid reels made in the Shimano tradition (which is very good). I really really like these, and even like the trigger for casting. I have a rear drag model and front drag model. Take your pick with either, but the front will be stronger, though the rear is much easier if you need to adjust during a battle with a fish. They are on the heavy side, if that matters to you. I no longer use them for my bass fishing since I have four Stradic 1000s, but my kids use them often for both fresh and salt. And they've stood up to both. Never owned a President, but you'll get plenty of love from those who have. I did set out to buy one but after I got my hands on one in-store, as well as Shimanos, I felt the latter was best in my hands. Just was more comfortable to hold and reel to me! So rather than just name drop "Shimano" I thought you could use a "why" as to the Spirex being a solid choice. Good luck, I'm sure you'll enjoy whatever you choose.

Welcome aboard! And the answer to your question is Yes. I'd use a 1/0 TX hook with a Zoom Finesse worm.

I'd say in my experience, and purely observational, that the vast majority of my hookups with wacky rigs are in the top of the mouth. If the worm is still on the hook, it is usually still perpendicular to the hook. There are those times when it's clear the fish inhaled and took off sideways by where the hook is... Drop shotting, the positioning of the hook is fairly important, at least, again, by my experience. 99% of hookups are top lip. Granted, the presentation is weighted, and vertical... You're probably right in terms of late hook sets, etc. But it feels right to me to have it perpendicular. So maybe it's just a confidence thing, eh?

Ahhh, Iceland... Nope, never been, but the pix look amazing!

Loved it, too. Watched it and Atlantis on streaming before it was dumped this year Now ya have to pay to watch. SG1 one of my fav shows ever.

50 points to Gryffindor for SG1 reference.

We have had those times when a poor cut of steak was in the house... lots of tenderizing and marinating, but I don't think we've done the bacon route. Might have to give that a try and purposely go out and buy a cut like that.

There's a fisherman with an infectious laugh. Another one I'd enjoy a day fishing with Cool meet up!

I've tried, and I've also tried other methods, but I simply prefer the simplicity of hooking perpendicular through the bait itself with no additional gadgetry. Now that doesn't mean I wont try again!!

Thread started on this a few days back:

They look good. Plenty of colors. I might just be ordering some soon... Thanks for the tip!

Haven't had much success with Roboworms, some, but not nearly on par with the Shad Shape Worms. And not yet tried the Cross-Tail shad. Plan on trying some new minnow baits this year, though hard to when the SSWs work so darn well for me.

Honestly, I don't think you can do wrong with either brand, they're the best, IMO. I just happen to prefer Shimano, though I've not actually used higher-end Daiwas. I've owned Lexa casting and spinning and found the offerings excellent for the price range. So I won't push you in either direction except instead of going one side or the other, use the best of both?!

Very similar. I started with Senkos, tried many others and "stuck" with the Stick-O (still use Senkos, too) as best/closest IMO.