T-Billy

Yep. You're nuts for spending that kinda money on flouro. Then again...... I have 52 rods in my garage so what the heck do I know? ? Seriously, I hope you like the line and it lives up to the hype for you. I'm going the other direction with line. I just picked up a couple spools of BG in the tests I'm running low on in XT.

I'm afraid of ricochets!!! LOL

I'd suggest going with a baitcasting rig for the techniques you mentioned. If you haven't used one before, don't sweat it. Modern braking systems have shortened the learning curve dramatically. A Shimano Curado MGL 150 would serve you well for years. Pair it with a Dobyns Fury 735 C and you're all set for the techniques and species you mentioned right at the top end of your price range.

Gotta make 'em yourself. 3.5" Ultra Molds Sweet Craw. They have an awesome gliding fall when Trigged or used as a jig trailer. Convinced me last year that flapping appendages are WAAYYY overrated on a craw immitation. I burned through a couple hundred of 'em in 21 and had my best year ever. My ARK Tharp King Cobra has one mission in life. Pitch THIS bait into the nastiest cover I can find, and yank bass out of it. All 2021 Sweet Craw victims.

They're rated to carry over 100#, and will handle being stood on without so much as a whimper. Lids have a gasket seal. Paid $80 and change for the XL and $60 and change for the L size. They're also stackable with locking latches. The XL fits nicely behind the rear seat of my 1648 and is currently loaded with 8 3700's and two deep 3700's. The L size box currently has 5 3600's on one end and all my keitechs on the other, under the tray that comes included with the box. The tray won't fit over the 3600's. They're just a wee bit too tall to put the tray over and still be able to close the lid. Tray is handy for loose baits, scents, pliers and other odds and ends.

Made me think of this ol skit. LOL.

That lake looks to me like it sets up similar to the small impoundments we have here in OH. Mid lake will warm faster than the lower end while still providing the fish with deeper water to retreat to. I'd start by running those little mid lake points on the northern side paying particular attention to the corners leading into the little pockets.

^THIS^ and a plain ol green punkin jig with a green punkin trailer.

I spent quite a bit of time looking for hard case, waterproof, tackle storage boxes and wasn't finding anything I liked, so I started looking at tool boxes and found these Dewalt Tough System 2.0 boxes. EXACTLY what I was looking for. Waterproof, durable boxes that are suitable in size to hold 3600 and 3700 boxes. The series one boxes are different internally and plano boxes dont fit as well, but they're cheaper and still great for bulk plastics in bags. Great storage option for us Jon Boat fisherman who don't have a bunch of compartments. This is the XL 400 size box. It'll hold a dozen 3700 boxes stood on end. The L 300 size box will hold a dozen 3600 size boxes 10 on edge and 2 laid flat on top.

Another 832 vote. Round, smooth enough, handles great, and holds up better in the rocks than anything else I've tried. Done looking. 832 gives me everything I need from a braid.

I'm with @MN Fisher on this one. All my reels have carbon drags. I back 'em off for winter storage, other than that, I set 'em and forget 'em. Never had an issue.

I don't use 'em anymore. I use a small bullet or mojo style sinker with a rubber toothpick style stopper instead. They stay in place better than the splitshots and come through cover better.

I often take a break from bass fishing on cloudy or foggy summer mornings to chase white bass that are busting shad on the surface. It's great fun. They'll hit anything shiny and fast moving, and you can load the cooler with those tasty little scrappers in a hurry. Some days when conditions are right, the frenzy goes on for hours.

Some good suggestions above. Definitely check ARK out. They have several moderate blanks in both graphite and composite in your price range. I'll also add the BPS Crankin Sticks to he list. I have no experience with the split handle crankin sticks, but the full handle models are great rods at their price point.

Check out the BPS Panfish Elite. Really nice rods for the $$$ IMO.

Congratulations!!! Hope you get a pro you like. Keep us posted.

Ran across this fishing spider last year. This was just a little fella. Bout a 3" leg span. I've seen 'em quite a bit bigger.

Couldn't find any bass today, but this fat 36" absolutely smoked my A rig and got the skunk outta the new boat. Poor rig looked like it had gone ten rounds with Tyson by the time that musky was done with it. Surface temps were 38-45 with next weeks forcast looking good starting Monday. Should be some bass moving up from deep water soon.

7 speed gets my vote. Good speed for most everything but deep cranks.

Nooo....... But I could probably get by with nothing but a Texas Rig.

Surprised this thread still has legs. My buddies ridicule me for any reason they can think of, real or imagined. It's what buddies do best. Suck it up buttercup, and hit'em back with both barrels.

Wacky Senko on braid does a purty good job of this.

I still have a couple Browning Citori reels hanging around. The thumbars started hanging up on them and BPS doesn't have parts anymore for them. I might contact DVT about them one of these days. Still smooth reels other than the thumbar issue.

I like my Curado BFS alot for Neds. For the techniques you mentioned I'd go with the 70 MGL. I have both reels on Phenix Feathers, L and ML respectively. VERY happy with both setups.