Even though I'm a rod manufacturer I would say the reel is more important.

That said, you don't have to spend $400.00 to get a good reel.

Smaller and lighter is almost always better. It tends to improve sensitivity, and less weight equals less fatigue which equals more fun.

The Revo and Orra series are super high efficiency, state-of-the-art designs.

Yes..... Europe and Asia choose their line by diameter. They are smarter than us. Physics tells us that most of the line properties are in the diameter. U.S. customers go by pound test.... so in America, all a manufacturer has to do is put 16lb. test line in an 8lb. box to lay claim to the strongest...

Berkley Ironsilk. It floats, casts farther, and lasts longer than regular mono.

Are there any new bass fishing techniques I'd like to try this season? - yes, dynamite! I'm joking!

Location helps a lot. My favorite spot today is a 1,000 acre "invisible" lake. It's not listed on the map (I don't know why?), and there is no boat ramp! Very little fishing pressure. I catch 7 to 13 lb. bass every other trip. It's like cheating!

Weightless, nose-hooked.

Weightless: because they are sinking, you don't need a weight. A bullet weight just drags the worm into the bottom behind it.

Nose hooked: for more hookups. Texas rigging is evil

Most of the Producto Lure plastics float REALLY well.

After fishing the Florocast for a few months, it just does not hold up as well as a premium Fluro. It would be okay if you changed it after 2 trips, or used it for finesse fishing. I can't worry about finesse here, the fish are too big in my lake, lol.... last weekend I landed another big one, about...

Update: I went out fishing Saturday........ it was a slow day, I had trouble finding fish......... in my 1,000 acre rock pit (It's not really "my" lake, but I think of at as such because it's my favorite and there is little fishing pressure), conditions keep changing........ they keep raising and lo...

The problem with braid is, it has very poor knot strength, and no shock strength. The straight strength is phenomenal, and makes up for this to a great extent. Perhaps not enough though in some circumstances. Try a clinch knot with 9 turns. Sometimes the knot won't seat right the first time and you'...

I tried this line when it first came out, about five years ago. When I initially tried it, it worked great for the first couple of outings........ then the third trip out, it all fell apart.... it started breaking on hooksets. I primarily use Senkos. Fast-forward five years. I've developed a knot s...

I tried this line when it first came out, about five years ago. When I initially tried it, it worked great for the first couple of outings........ then the third trip out, it all fell apart.... it started breaking on hooksets. I primarily use Senkos. Fast-forward five years. I've developed a knot sy...

Some thoughts: Generally, a glass rod might be softer and good for live bait and treble hook applications. The glass rods tend to be more durable also. That said, stretchier line could help in that regard too, so that might negate the use of glass? But sensitivity would take a nose dive, and it woul...