Cgrinder

I'm throwing swim jigs and such on 12 lb Assassin and I like it a lot for moving baits so fair. Very manageable and casts well.

Zodias 7'2 MH or H. I had a Ci4+ a couple years ago and liked how it sat and felt on the Zodias.

If we're donating testicles, aim high. Go for a GLX at least. On topic, if you want to step down in budget and focus on the American Made aspect, the Enox BMJ from ALX ticks all your boxes except weight I think. I just received one, and while I haven't fished it thanks to work exploding, it's a nice build, looks sharp (I'm a sucker for lavender), and balances very well (edge of locking nut) with a stock Elite flipper. It won't match the higher end in sensitivity but what $319 rod would? As for what I've fished: I would not buy an NRX longer than the 7'1. My 853c doesn't balance great and after handling the 893 in store, no whey. Of course, electric sensitivity and light weight, but that's all you get. The Exprides are very good rods and I believe they do punch above their price point, but the warranty is lousy and they are probably over-hyped. Good, solid, but not the second coming. I can tell you that if the Steez AGS did not have the Made in China sticker, I would have bought that. That probably means I should have bought the Xtreme AGS. Still might.

I'm straight fluoro until maybe July when the pads and grass are completely ridiculous. Then, much like you, straight 50 lb braid until the veg starts to die off. However if I'm fishing a jig, I'm looking at Heavy power rods unless it's a lighter hook. Hammer down and drag em out.

Big hook and stiffer weedguard means heavier tackle. I fish a quarter northern style on a different rod and line than a half ounce Coosa. Swimming a flippin jig is a good way to get a couple extra bites after the initial flip.

I would go MH, if not H. I used the heavy Zodias and then Expride for 1/2 oz jigs and I've been happy with both. Half ounce jigs can have pretty beefy hooks. ALSO God bless it guys. This is why we can't have nice things.

Did you have the 2020 Enox? Apparently it's a huge bump from the previous generation. I have a couple MB rods and may get more in the future, but the American made ALX was a big plus given our current global situation. Paying $500 for a Made in China rod feelsbadman.

I have the 72 H Expride and just got the ALX Enox BMJ in. The Expride is a very good rod, well worth the money over the Zodias. However the Zodias is also a good, solid rod line; I have that 72 H as well. The Expride may have more power. The Expride is also appropriately sensitive for its price, though I personally would like a little more help discerning bites from grass. I have pretty high expectations for the Enox and I plan to use it for pretty much exactly what you describe with 3/8 to 1/2 oz jigs. The Expride is probably going to frog full-time.

Do what feels good. I don't like spinning reels, so I don't use them.

I'm a big fan of the SV after being initially a bit underwhelmed by the plastic drag star and glossy finish. It casts very well with a variety of baits and doesn't feel restricted. For $200 and stock, I'm just about over the moon. I do not have the Long Cast to compare. However I do have the flippin Elite, which has great knobs and feels very solid. I like that reel a lot as well.

I'm a simple guy. I see grass, I flip grass.

I like junebug or bama bug patterns more (and gill patterns more than those), but black and blue swim jigs certainly work.

If it's the pitchyflippy Elite, that spool is on the faster side. I blew that reel up good a couple times trying to get 'er dialed in. It also doesn't seem to love lighter lures. However your reel doesn't sound like its functioning properly. Pop the spool out and exercise the inductor by moving it out gently a couple of times. Sticky inductors happen. You get a reeeeeeally good backlash when you cast a reel with a stuck inductor. Lastly, HOT TAKE: if your spool stops automatically upon the bait hitting the water, you're overbraked and leaving performance on the table.

MH power and Fast action is your traditional do it all rod. You can throw cranks. It won't be ideal but it works.

803/4 or 843/4? Your title and post contradict. Which rod series?

The entire month of April, I hammered fish on a Texas rigged creature with a light weight. If they didn't immediately chow down on a swim jig, the Texan got called in. Jerkbait, hard or soft, is another good idea.

Pretty reasonable. Couple years ago someone on here posted a map of my home lake (popular lake, lots of pressure and recreational traffic) with markers for all the spots he'd seen people fishing around the lake, which put a few of my "secret spots" on blast. I was less than thrilled. With social media and all that I keep things off the internet. Only share the juice with your friends and kindly request they don't hammer your spots.

6'10 Fenwick ET Smallmouth. Wish I would have held onto that one longer. Sweet rod series. Pretty chill with everything else I've gotten rid of over the years. Reels, though... Now there's a bunch of seller's remorse.

Open hook? Beast hook? Something in between? I'd be looking at the Expride in that price range. Lovely rods for the money.

894 likely if you want to go NRX. I've had the 853 for several years and it's probably just about the meanest 5" Senko rod around. I do not love it for jigs. 3/8 oz jigs are "fine" but I tend to stay at 1/4 oz and throw 3/8+ on a different rod. However I have read that the 893 has a smidge more power than the 853 so that may be an option.

Try setting the spool tension to where it just removes the side to side play. Then turn the brakes up and work your way down. Certain reels or spools like a little more brake.

Yeah more seven foot rods would be cool.

Depends on time of year, but hollow body frog or Texas rigged creature. Honorable mention to a swim jig.

Second the magic erasers. Cleans cork up good.

Put me in the "sometimes, yeah" camp. I think some fish in certain situations may be line shy. Does it matter all that much? Probably not. Do I run straight fluorocarbon unless I'm frogging or in veg? Probably yes. Can fish see 17-20 lb fluorocarbon as well as say 50 lb dark green braid? Maybe? Paging WRB. Also put me in the "run a leader with braid when possible" camp. Breaking off a snag is gnarly otherwise.