J Francho

I'd just fix it myself.

Hit the menu, Activity > My activity streams… should take you there. I'm struggling with you, and I've seen it already.

I have many different brands of reels. I'd probably call myself a Daiwa fan, though I like my Shimano too. The Daiwa and Shimano reels I use are mostly the OLDEST reels in my lot. That should speak volumes.

Look at lever types. A rod is used as a Class 3 lever, when fighting a fish. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lever

P-Line CXX 25 lb. Problem solved.

Look at intracoastal models from Ranger, Bullet, or Skeeter.

That's awful. My condolences, man.

I have control issues, live bait doesn't play well with that personality defect.

Shore? Chest pack from Fish Ponds.

Lawyers need to get paid too, lol.

I put a better short shank hook on, and add a good swivel to the line tie. Sometimes I add a 6mm pink or chartreuse bead to line above the knot.It one of those little touches that I like, not sure if it's ever been a difference maker.

Hopkins Shorty. I don't really have any others - never needed anything else.

Lol

I have three on my Xpress, lol.

Petty junk removed. Tungsten carbide is not toxic. Neither is lead, unless inhaled or digested. Clearly, some common sense must come into play.

Helix 5/7 both with SI.

I think you need to reconsider you budget, even if you're looking at used. I guess grab the first thing you see that's $200 and works - it will sell fast. I personally prefer a kayak, but if can only do one boat, and want to fish with others, a two seat prowler will work better.

Thank you! That's what I was trying to say earlier...the spawn is a time males get territorial. Sedentary is not the same.

At times, they are very territorial, like during the spawn. Other times they're schooled up.

There's some pretty valid reasons to use braid, and/or braid with a leader, like small diameter, deeper dives, better sensitivity, etc. it's not my preference over flouro or a strong copolymer, though. Pay attention to the action, you definitely want to step it down and set the drag a little on the soft side with braid, if you want to try it.

A few casts, and a quick relieve will work the coils out.

Great impressions. Glad you're digging that rod.

My deepest sympathies to his friends and family. I loved following his posts. We lost one of good guys.

Phht, Glenn's fans? Lolololol! I like th In-Fisherman books, Spoonplugger series, and the Murphy book.

I guess it depends how you hold it... I go 3 fingers in front on spinners.Nothing feels tip heavy to me, but most use two in front.