Find a guy that knows what he's doing and pay close attention. Remember 5% of the fisherman catch 95% of the fish.
For What ? Bait or artificals ?
Bait casting for bass is the best way to go. Price ?? Dont know , still using my custom rods and old shamano's from 30 and 40 years ago. Even then they where Way Past 150.
What ! Never felt any of this Paranoia Fishing. Back in the city YEAH. Therapy might help.
it starts with the 90D angle of the line from the spool to the bail and gets Worse from there, Bait casters All the Way!!