fishballer06

Abu Ike Series 7'4".

I've had success and failures with multiple different approaches to this. I've killed it, I've kept reeling at the same speed, and I've given it a little twitch to imitate it's wounded. All have worked and not worked for me in the past. In all honesty, it's a crap shoot. Try one and hope that it works. As others have said, largemouth are usually less likely to follow up bites than smallmouth and spots.

I'm a big fan of the Ike series and Veracity series (both use the same blank). They're very good rods for the money and I own two of each. I've tried the Veritas series and I'm not overly impressed with them, but they are a $100 rod, so I guess you can't expect a whole lot from them. I've heard mixed reviews from others on them. If you're debating between a SC Avid and a Veracity, I'd take the Avid.

Check out the Beretta Pico and Nano.

I have the 684CB Champion. I bought it for jerkbaits originally. It's now used for small squarebills. It is much too whippy for jerkbaits. Either get something with a fast action, or maybe try the 685CB.

Don't get the 40 size, it's way too big for your application. The 30 and 35 are what you need.

^In response to Mikes video (Youtuber who made that video). I love how people think that a 3 pound bass only pulls with 3 pounds of force. Fish have muscles, just like humans. Go put a 150 pound adult on a bench or in a squat rack, and I bet you a majority of them will put up more weight than what they weigh. The same theory goes for fish as well. I'd be willing to bet that a 4 or 5 pound bass would easily pull those rubber rings off, especially if you were using braided line with zero stretch. Sorry for the rant, I just can't stand a lot of the BS that I hear coming out of a lot of these young YouTube guys, especially 1rod1reel.

That's the one! It improves the action of all bottom contact baits.

He forgot the oversized brass snap swivel between the egg sinker and hook!!!

Similar action and softness, sure, but no two baits from different companies will every be exactly the same. As for durability, I've yet to see a paddle tail swimbait that holds up completely on its on to more than a few fish. If they lasted any longer, they probably wouldn't catch fish like they do.

Then the Brenious is out of the question. Get the Scorpion.

The Scoundrels are great worms.

What are you using the reel for? The Brenious has a very low capacity and is only suited for flipping/pitching.

And.... There goes all the kayak guys to buy these for their photograph and release tournaments.

Dobyns 705CB - Fury if you're on a budget, Champion if you want the best

Tubes are notorious for this. I believe it's for absorbing moisture and keeping them from sticking together.

Blade baits is a loose term and can mean a few different things (spinnerbait, Silver Buddy style lures, and Fish Head spins). I fish my spinnerbaits on a MH-MF or MH-F action rod, around 7'. At least 14lb. FC or 40lb. braid. Silver buddy type blade baits I prefer to use on spinning gear. 2500 size reel, 7' M-F rod. I'll use 7-8lb. FC for this. Fish head spins I throw on casting gear, generally a slower ratio because I prefer a slower reels honestly (5:1 or 6:1). I use a 7' SC Avid M-F. For heavier fish heads in deeper water, I'll use a Zodias 7'2 MH-F rod.

Buzzbaits

I have this rod in the MH. For your applications, the H would be perfect.

They're not bad for the price. Good for practice, and use the Keitech's in tournaments. The Keitech's have a better scent and a softer material.

I'm a Bill Lewis type guy, but I own both.

I'll throw chatterbaits and spinnerbaits on one of two rods. A Champion 705CB and a Veracity 7' MH-F. Both rods work great for this application, but the 705CB is obviously a much slower rod. I prefer the Veracity because I can feel any time I get weeds on the bait, and I can rip the weeds off the bait easier.

Buff and a baseball hat.

Tatula or Curado, you won't go wrong with either. I've owned both, but have since sold my Tatula. But I'm sure other guys will say the opposite. Both are great options. I say buy both!

I wouldn't advise skipping a Matt Lures Gill. They're very soft.