Hogsticker

Like Mike stated, get all the potential you can from that rod blank! I think a lot of people see a guide frame that is smaller than the "norm", and deem it micro. To me a true micro guide is a size 4 or less. Then there is that term mid micro a lot of manufacturers throw out there. I run all 4.5 or size 5 running guides which are large enough to pass a well tied connection knot. I agree, the freakishly small guides on Ducketts and such are terrible. I now also can't handle a rod built with guides that are simply to big to provide any benefits. Like fishing with a club. Having that happy medium still forces me to pay attention when tying a knot. That's a good thing. If someone can't thread line through a size 5 guide, they probably shouldn't be driving to the lake.

Any sub 50 dollar spinning reel isn't going to offer the best in terms of line management. It is what it is. For the right line, I would consider how slow / fast you want that worm to sink, and make your decision based on that.

I have a medium heavy Rainshadow Immortal popping blank that makes a pretty good all purpose rod imo. For my tastes anyway. Not to slow to throw a jig, not to fast to throw a crankbait. Plenty of power. I throw more treble baits than anything else. A medium heavy fast action blank is to fast and powerful for trebles imo, such as the Mhx blanks. My personal favorite all purpose blanks are pretty much everything made by Phenix. The Ultra, Recon, and M1 blanks are great. What kinda all purpose are you after?

Any of the Phenix medium light rods will work. If you don't like your rods a little on the slow side best look elsewhere. The Bfs Corzza will be a bit faster than the basic medium light Corzza series in case you were curious. As for the *** I can't help, but I can't imagine it not being able to handle a quarter ounce. If you plan on casting lighter weight the Daiwa Alphas SV or new SV 105 is outstanding for versatility.

They are more sensitive in my hands than any of the popular 100 dollar off the shelf rods I've come across. This includes the ever popular *** Black and Falcon Bucoo, both of which I've owned. If built right of course. Love the fact that they're pretty much raw graphite as well. Money well spent that won't break the bank.

Too bad the Revros doesn't have an air bail. One of the best features on a Daiwa spinning reel imo. I'd spend a few dollars more and get an Exceler

Not just 1 type of bait, rather 7. I simply don't have the discipline or space to carry a little bit of everything. Rather, I fish what I like and have become proficient with each. I mostly target smallmouth and brown trout with - Lipless cranks Jerkbaits Paddle tails swimbaits Poppers Tubes Senkos Flick shakes If I can't catch them on that, to heck with them. I should probably get into the spinnerbait game, but it just doesn't trip my trigger. I have 7 combos, 1 each dedicated to those techniques. Drop shotting is something I should probably add to the tool belt. I like throwing hard baits, and the other half is mostly bfs like small paddle tails and flick shakes on 1/16 to 1/8 Oz.

While we're on the subject, can we break it down a bit further - For you folks who throw poppers regularly, what time of year does which cadence seem to produce best? For example, right now what's working for me is giving it a few plops and letting it sit in place for quite some time. As soon as I give it that next plop it gets hammered. A straight walk isn't working. Similar to letting a suspending jerkbait sit. Are the jerkbait and popper one of the same, one top water the other sub surface? Part of the fun is figuring it out on the water. I really like the Megabass poppers cause they make quite the plop. Looking forward to dedicating time to this technique and piecing the puzzle together.

I don't know as I just got into popping on a serious note. I've caught 2 smallmouth over 4 lbs this past week on a Megabass Pop Max. I'm waiting for the labor day sale to order some more poppers. Gonna get a Rico, Duo Realis, Jackall SK Grande, and a Megabass Pop X to get started. On the cheaper side of things, many years ago I caught many smallies on a Storm Chug Bug.

You guys tie direct or use a clip?

I've been bit by the popper bug. After watching a 4.10 lb smallie violate a Pop X I was gifted I've been throwing it a ton. I have a custom Recon 683 I want to dedicate to poppers. All my poppers will be 3/8 oz. Pop X, Jackall SK Grande, Duo 64 etc. This is a medium light, fairly parabolic rod. Not a moderate fast, but not a fast either. Somewhere in between. It will also be for open water. I have a medium heavy popping blank I'll use around cover. So would you guys choose braid or mono? It will either be 11 lb Sunline Defier or 30 lb Seaguar Smackdown.

I actually enjoy using my Alphas SV as much as my Tdz. 1st time I've ever been able to say that about any reel. Is it in the same league? Probably not in terms of refinement, but it's pretty close in performance. I'm referring to a standard, stock Tdz of course. People have experienced sticky inductor problems when plugging a Steez SV spool in this platform from what I've read. I haven't encountered any issues with either SV 1000 spool.

A shallower spool with less line on it is going to weigh less, therefore allowing easier casting with lighter baits. I wouldn't worry so much about the lb test of the line you'll be using, rather the diameter. The SV shallow spools are good for finesse, the deep spools are good for all around use. I don't consider a quarter ounce finesse, but some do.

Yep. SV 1000 deep. Especially if using 10 lb test and lightest baits will be a quarter ounce. If wanting to use lighter line and baits I'd personally recommend the Alphas SV.

I'm not in the Winn grip camp. I can't get that same thin diameter as I can with Eva. My sweaty hands after long days in the heat didn't agree with the material at all. Most of the designs are just meh to me. Different strokes for different folks.

A 4/0 hook dangling below a worm. Seems like a lot of hook that won't have any plastic attached to it.

Braid is great if you have constant tension on the line. Any slack, loops, or bows and you're done. Current and wind can play a factor.

Still working on some side by side comparison work. Both low gear ratio, both great little reels! SS SV / Alphas SV

Stick a cork in it corkers!

I realize a spinnerbait is a moving bait, but not the same as a hardbait as the original title suggests imo.

It would be interesting to do an age demographic associated with this thread.

I honesty have no idea. There's enough tackle on the market to make my head spin as it is. It would be cool if you could play the actual atari game frogger on the water, only rather try to avoid obstacles, try to get a bucket mouth to crush it. Either way, little froggys death is unavoidable.

^^ Good times. All my customs have full length Eva. Most cork is shotty, plus it requires more maintenance to keep looking nice imo. Some people like the appearance of stained, dirty cork. Not me. I prefer the feel of Eva, plus cleaning is a breeze. Baby wipe and a little soap and done deal. Just don't let it cool in the sun for hours on end so it doesn't fade. Makes the rod look clean and stealth. I wouldn't put cork colored wheels on my car. Just saying

I live in the State of Washington and moving baits have produced close to nothing all summer, everywhere I've been. Slow and Suttle soft plastics which sucks cause I'm a hardbait kinda guy.

Seems like the easiest thing to do is just purchase baits that come equipped with only two hooks. Plenty of good ones available.