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This allowed me to make a cast and retrieve with one, and then pick up the competition and do the same

This is the prime late fall temp range as smallmouths will still be motivated to feed and able to strike artificial lures to some degree (IMO 44 to 48 is peak fall if you seek wintering / pre-wintering fish atop deep structures)

The reel seat orientation, guide size, and line angle are all different, and using the wrong reel type significantly reduces casting distance and creates line management problems throughout the session

Each of the separate categories has characteristics that make them better for certain techniques