Brayberry

If I could compromise, I get high dollar reels, cheap rods, and sub $5 rackle If I had to go by your scenario, I'd use the high dollar rods and reels and sub $4 tackle. Lotsa great tackle under $4 (Yum, Zoom, Havoc)

For me it'd be a light action St Croix Travel Rod, packs down small and is light so easy to carry around. For the Reel it'd be a Pflueger President Limited Edition, with braid or 6 - 8 lb test. With that combo I should be able to get crappie, bass, catfish, bluegill, trout, walleye, etc

Definately go to the Dugout, one of the best tackle shops I've ever been in. Great staff (If Craig is still there, he knew everything, and super nice guy)

Was this male actually locked on the bed? Or was he getting ready to spawn?

For my travel rod I use a DSG's store brand rod (Inferno), works great, and only $25. I'm not going to go all out for a rod that stays in my truck

I throw a lot of bluegill colored baits. Typically they have either a gold or green base color then have orange, little blue, chartreuse, and/or purple

DSG has their house brand rods at 20% off, some of those rods aren't bad at all, especially for $20 - $25 apiece

If your gonna fish Lake Prince, you better throw a crankbait, instead of the weightless stuff, at least for the bass 4+

I have the same issue as I have a Ford Ranger. You can just stick your rods in a cheap Walmart sleeping bag, then tie it down in the corners of the truck bed. Also closed cell foam works well as to lay under your rods, it just needs to be secured to keep from coming out. I've also stuck my rods in a old blanket and rolled them up and secured them with a rubber band or rope to keep them closed.

Havoc Money Maker is deadly!!!

I use their Grass Pigs a lot and the finesse worms

It works well for bigger bodies of water but locally where I'm from, anything under 2000 acres or so has 0 detail, and even the shape of the lakes are way way off

Since your making all the heads, I'd say Head Hunters Jigs, Jack'd Jigs, or Ditch Pickle Jigs

I do great with the Grass Pig Jr, no issues

I could do just fine with nothing but Zoom and Yum baits, if I could have a 3rd it'd be Havoc.

I'm 99% sure it's the Dicks Sporting Goods House brand (Jawbone) frog. They run like $3 each https://www.dickssportinggoods.com/p/jawbone-frog-soft-bait-17jawujwbnfrgsxxxlur/17jawujwbnfrgsxxxlur?&color=Black Blue Looks like it's the color "Frog"

Have you tried the FF this spring?

I'd listen as long as the info was useful.

Can't buy a bite on Red Shad Worms and Senko's, but will tear them up on Cherry Seed or Tomato, Weird

I just got back from the Pigeon Forge Area, and I had no issue catching smallmouth in the Pigeon River in Sevierville and Pigeon Forge. Yum Dingers, Zoom Critter Craws, 1/8 and 1/4 oz jigs all worked well. I imagine swimming a small grub on a jighead would work well too. None of those options are expensive. I bought all my Dingers at $2 per bag at the BPS Spring Fishing Classic, Critter Craws are about $3 a bag.

When it shows up on the site, it's item # 2390717

Last bump before I leave, hoping for some good smallmouth info

No, my PB is 9 lbs even, and I took a short vacation to Florida last spring and lost one well over 10 on a jig. I got her within 6 feet of me and saw her clear as day, and well as multiple times when she tried to jump, but gravity took over and she could only shake her head above the water line. This fish still haunts me

The worm with the lighter tail just looks like it was left in the sun in a boat or something and faded, but I don't think the color has changed at all.

I'm near Va Beach, so just south of you. We get about the same weather. Yesterday we had a big storm come thru and drop the air temp 20 - 25 degrees, brought major wind. Now it's post frontal conditions. I went out today and had to finesse my fish to bite. Caught everything on a Zoom Critter Craw Tx Rigged, fished Super Slow along the bottom. You might be doing the same. If you are having the wind we are having, a Senko is out for sure.