berkley weighted hook Fusion19™ Frog Its weighted construction also increases the sink rate and action of your bait Berkley Fusion19 Weighted Wacky Head

Rod Dobyns Maverick 7' Med Light Fast: Reel Daiwa Fuego LT 2500: Line Sunline Super FC (10 lb): If you plan to shop, using these affiliate links before shopping at Tackle Warehouse is the single greatest way to support us

You wont find a better fly rod and reel combo than this, but, you want find wont this expensive either

An endowment fund of several thousand dollars, accumulated by gifts and membership fees

Smallmouth are wired to prey on small baitfish and have a hard time resisting a 3 or 4 bait swimming by

Each features a slim metal reel handle, with an I shaped grip on the 2500 and a T grip on the 3000 and 4000

" You are right about the issue of no protection, but usually run my rod at about 45 degrees back and 45 degrees up