FishTank

I think it's going to depend on the rod and what conditions it is stored in. I have one 8' rod that is too tall to fit in my rod racks in the garage (I also do not have a horizontal way to store it) and it has a slight bend to it now. But leaning up in a corner with it are two other rods that are not bent, an 8' musky rod and a 8' swimbait rod. Everything else, I have stays in the rod racks.

A medium moderate wouldn't be my choice for those techniques. There would be way too many things to fight with a rod like that unless you are using small light weight crankbaits. A medium fast would be a better choice.

A little Photoshop fun.

I try to go one size below the rated diameter of the braid I am using. So for example 65lb Sufix 832 is .016 and the next down in Seaguar Gold Label is 20lb at .014..... but you could do 15lb easily.

10lb on spinning and 15lb on casting. 6-8ft long.

? Don't feel bad, I clicked on the link.

New and available today.

I have always been partial to Arcteryx gear. If you can find something in their outlet, you can get some good deals. I have the Beta AR and it is a bomb proof rain jacket but it can be a little warm in 70+ degree weather. https://outlet.arcteryx.com/us/en/c/mens

I would return it and exchange it for another one.

I hear ya. I have some pricey gear but to toss around a light weight bait on occasion that I can do with spinning gear, it's a bit of a stretch for me. But if I knew I would use it more, then maybe. One things for sure, the more technique specific you get the price to play goes up. Wait till you shop the baits. It's a whole different ballgame but not as bad as swimbaits and glidebaits.

BFS stands Bad Financial Situation. Just joking.... If I was fishing for trout, it would be all right and a lot of fun for bass but a 1/16oz jig head and a Robo Worm is about as light as I go with casting gear. But..... The Curado BFS at $199 is a bargain compared to other BFS reels that have been out. The Phenix Feather is often talked about as the go to for this application and isn't too bad pricewise either.

These guys are great. They usually pack and ship the day after you order. Depending on what you order it takes up to 4 days to get it to my house. Once it leaves them, you are at the mercy of the Post Office or whatever carrier they use though.

If you are wanting to try FC, Invizx would be a good place to start. Based on what you are saying, 15lb or 17lb should do fine. Personally, I use 12lb more than anything else. Just in case, I use to use Big Game years ago and it was always great until it wasn't. Once the break offs started, I was changing it. Based on the amount of lost lures, baits, fish and time spent retying, I decided to move on.

During a tournament, I hate to retie a bait. Anything to avoid losing time out of the water So if that means a bunch set ups, so be it. When fishing as a co-angler I usually bring 5 or 6 setups. If I was by myself I would use 8-10.

I found several good colors last year on clearance at DSG. With a coupon, they came out to about $3-$4 a bag. I really don't need to buy them unless I'm desperate for a specific color. Omnia has them on sale today for $6.54 a bag just in case.

It's still $7 per 10. I can usually get them on sale cheaper than that.

I replace them by feel and sometimes just for the fun of it but when a bearing needs to be replaced there are several things that could cause it. Most bearings go bad from not being cleaned and oiled. Some get abused by just how you fish. Another factor to me is braid. It carries more water back into the reel and if the water is dirty so is your reel. This build up of gunk and dirt eventually works its way into the inside causing multiple issues. An extra cleaning or two can keep your bearings going for years. One of the Calcuttas I have, has the original bearings that are 15+ years old. There are other factors that cause a reel to whine besides the spool bearings. Depending on the reel... the brake racing could need oil, spool shaft could be worn, the spool or the frame has a bad spot, the spacer under the cast cap could be shot, spool support bearing (x-ship in Shimano reels), etc. I'd say test them on a pencil after cleaning, then swap the spool bearings from another reel and see if you still have it.

The 844C would get my vote.

Double fisted with her favorite antlers.

It depends on how much you want to carry. I have a sling pack from Simms. Works great but it's not remotely waterproof. The best backpacking packs I have used, and my whole family for that matter, have been from Osprey. Their prices are all over the place but you get what you pay for. Also, they have a lifetime warranty and great customer service. My wife teaches and has three. All get used and abused almost daily. They have held up great. She usually handles them like this.

Stick with the Senko. Several places have them on sale right now.

Based on what you are using it for, you could go with either rod but I would prefer the one they sent you. The one that you originally wanted would be great for lipless cranks, small swimbaits and chatterbaits.

I always keep an eye out for it. I have picked up several reels this way. I have ordered a Shimano Antares 70A and a Daiwa Steez CT for around $450 each. My latest was this guy. It's mind blowing. I am not sure why Daiwa doesn't offer this reel in the US. Its the lightest spinning reel I have ever used.

G Lommis 844C GLX or IMX. In Megabass, I have the P5 Super Destroyer. It works great for topwater.

My favorite is the Antares 70A. Great all around reel. Easy to palm. Effortless casting. Super smooth drag. Only downside would be that when it gets cold, it's like holding an ice cube. Is the most versatile? Maybe. I haven't found anything I can't throw with it. If I had to pick a second, it might be the Metanium. All time favorite, the Core 101MG.