webertime

Only fish I've ever seen caught on that bait.

Smoked my record. Alewifes love cranks.

I haven't read through all the responses but I have found this to be true of Smallies: They are very different from one body of water to the next. (St. Lawrence, white drop shots and goby baits, must have current. Champlain, dark colors, C-Rig and can be found anywhere). If they are present, you will know it fairly quickly. If you don't get one or a blow up soon after arriving at a spot, they probably aren't there If you loose a big one (breaks off of throws the hook) the school will shut down for a long while. They can be anywhere. 5lber out of 3ft in August OR the very next day, 5lbs down 80ft over 100ft while trolling for Salmon (this happens up here all the time).

Also telling how tough the river has been this year. He only caught 4 keepers, that blob, a 5 and two 2.5's.

6'8" medium, xf spinning rod with 20lb braid and 3/0-5/0 ewg.

Bone Super Spook Pointer 100 Slender Pointer 97

If you want a touch more glide, step up to a Gamakatsu Superline. Hook is a bit heavier and gets the bait a bit more horizontal.

Bone super spook. A top producer up here.

Just came back from there myself. Kring, goose, etc. It was extremely tough. Locals said the river is fishing poorly right now.

I think the 198 is a new model. It's still a ranger (or alumacraft or whomever makrs the hull, backed by ranger). I would have no concerns over the bps take over. Personally in the price range you want, I would look at a Phoenix 618.

Cabelas Tourney Trail rods are $65 & can be had for ~$40 on sale. This year they might be calling the swimbait-able models "Musky" rods. Get a 5500/5501 Abu C3. Used ones are $25 & up. 25lb Maxima or whatever mono you want is $15. That is not sexy but it works. Like me laid over the hood of a 98 Toyota Tercel.

I have a Sahara FD that now feels like a Mitchell 300 of yesteryear... binding iss terrible. Sent to a Tech, brainstormed and put in another handle bearing (making it a Symetre). Heavy Grease Saros Spool with better drag Light Grease Friction Ring replaced. I now use it exclusively for dock-skipping or things that I don't actually have to retrieve. A fish on the line actually feels smoother (not smooth).

Tatula 7'2" H or Zodias 7'2" H.

One of my favorites. I've got a Gen 1 model with a T3 on it for Flipping, Frogs, Rigs and Hudds. You will love it.

Going to be a Ford vs Chevy thread. I'd look very hard at a Phenix 721 myself. The ride is pretty special.

He's nailed it.

From the rods that you listed... the Shimano.

Milfoil will spread if you get aggressive with it. Little pieces with drift and find a new home. I personally wouldn't bother. It's a good thing for those pits. Drag some stumps into the beds and look out!

Echomap or striker?

Either. Hook sizes are not the same across brands, so either should work. I use 4/0 Eagle Claws or 5/0 Owners on S.I.F.s

Well this is escalating nicely. Napalm Moat could work.

Horrifying and Awesome all at the same time.

Use an air compressor! lol just pumped 50 gallons of old gas out of a boat the other day.

It would bleed into a color akin to the milk in a bowl of fruity pebbles.

Carolina Rig on a 2/0 regular offset worm hook. Football jigheads as well