OkobojiEagle

That's a tough one. Lucky Craft has the Flashminnow 80sp (3") and the Flashminnow 110 saltwater (4 1/2"). Both dive to 2', less with rod tip high. Rapala discontinued the Flat Rap 10 but it can still be found on Ebay ect. The Flat Rap is a slow rising balsa jerkbait that would stay at about 18" if you kept it moving. Rapala Shadow Rap (4") can be kept at 2'-3' if you work it with the rod tip high. oe

Tackle wouldn't HAVE TO differ... but I bet it does. How. Do you use the same rod/reel but throw lighter baits, or do you use different tackle? Do you have tackle you use exclusively for smallies? I don't own tackle that would be suitable for "punching" or "frog fishing". The surprise catch of a large catfish, musky or northern can be challenging/exhilarating with lighter gear, but most of us don't target these fish with "smallmouth gear". Species discussion seldom is part of new rod/reel threads... should it be? oe

How does your smallmouth rod/reel arsenal differ than what you use fishing largemouth? I don't target largemouth, but I think after plenty of time on these inter-nets that my rod/reel choices are significantly different than those that do. I carry 5 rods/reels in the boat: 7' 6" ML spinning/ 8lb PE line; 7' M spinning/ 10lb PE line; 6' 6" MH spinning/ 14lb PE line; 6' 10" M casting (6.8:1 retrieve)/ 20lb PE line & 7' MH casting (5.1:1 retrieve)/ 20lb PE line. These cover every technique and bait I throw at my smallmouth. (Fishing from shore or canoe finds me bringing only the 7' M spinning rod.) oe

I'm a bou-tube fan... oe

Mike... don't get too impressed. I had an 11 year stint I worked (part time, 2nd evening job) in the Berkley bait/line factory. Between extra spending money for my girls during their college years and the company store, my wife didn't see a dime from it support our family budget! oe

I'm a little skeptical about reviews from the manufacturer's website... I handled a couple of the rods in the factory outlet store. They were very "soft" compared to the 6 original Techna AVs I own. Looking for someone's opinion who has time on the water with them bass fishing. oe

Looking for reviews from owners of the new Fenwick Techna rods, especially if you can compare the new rods to the previous Techna AV models. oe

OP...While I fish with the mentioned Pflueger Supreme reels, I don't know that the magnesium bodies will hold up well in brackish water if you fish them. oe

When your sons graduate college tell them one owes you a darn nice reel and the other one owes you an even nicer rod...

I don't have much confidence that the replacement of the same rod would be different... oe

Big Spirit would be an easier lake to find them... oe

No weed guards of any kind for me... Brewer's Spider heads, Title-Shot heads or weighted wide-gap hooks (sled heads) when I'm protecting the hook point. oe

(It's -15 degrees and I'm not busy at work...) A couple of weeks back I stumbled across a review of a YGK line (OhDragon SS140) that had four Dyneema carriers wrapped around one fluorocarbon. The gist of the review claimed this line was a "sinking" braid. I found myself not caring at all about whether the line would sink or float, but would this line by benefit of the fluorocarbon core have better slack line sensitivity than a traditional braid but still maintain much of the suppleness and strength of a traditional braid? Explain to me why I'm probably wrong... oe

An anti-reverse switch will allow you enhanced control of your spinning reel, much as an over-drive switch will give you enhanced control of your vehicle's automatic transmission. It's not hard to find people who are oblivious to the purpose of both. oe

Many suggestions above, but not many stressing a closely balanced spinning rod & reel... oe

There's more history than that...

...glad you figured it out. oe

Pretty quick diagnosis without any other considerations...

Stren is a Pure Fishing label oe

Denny Brauer Structure Jig... oe

... I do. You'll want the rod to load a little bit. oe

Your neighborhood bar at closing time... oe

#10 X-rap oe

Since I fish catch & release 100% of the time, my livewell makes an adequate clothing storage location in my small boat. oe

Rocking in my boat, holding the grip tightly I'm looking to balance my outfit at about 5lbs tip heavy... oe