SirSnookalot

Pretty much everyone I have seen uses a leader in saltwater, swivels are very popular too. 30# braid is fine, I most likely would not use less than a 20# leader. If it's saltwater there's going to be something bigger coming in at some point.

As a rule the larger the spool the better the line management on a spinning reel. I would take into consideration the rod I was planning on using first, then decide on a reel size. Whether it's a 35 or 30 size both reels can handle bass fishing, for me it's an issue of comfort. Don't be confused about spinning vs b/c weight, the spinner has the weight on the bottom of the rod, increased weight is far less noticeable.

The lure parameters on a rod is an estimate, 2 identically labeled rods from 2 different companies may load up differently. Whether I under or over load a rod depends on a few factors such as technique, species, desired casting distance. I often under load if I need just a minimal distance, crappie jigs have been catching lots of nice bass and peacocks. Conversely if I'm fishing from an elevated position or rougher water needing distance as well has having the lure penetrate the water instead of bouncing on top (very noticeable with spoons) I almost always over load. Some of rods are close to 10 years old, no problems.

If everything was perfect except the tip being a little mis-aligned, I would probably realign it myself. If I were unsure how to do it (plenty of you tube videos) a tackle shop probably would do it as you waited, my guess free for goodwill.

Happy Easter and Pesach (Passover)

I had one of these experiences yesterday, nothing negative at all but this is how I handle things. I went to a spot where I catch peacocks, usually I'm alone but yesterday 2 bait fishermen were fishing the other side of the canal. It was quite weedy and they were having no success. I spot some peas and sight casted and after a few casts I pulled one in. Big smile came over their faces, no jazz they just asked me how I did it. I not only gave them the fish but caught a couple more for them. I then gave them a pack of crappie jigs just like what I was using and showed them how to work it. I also caught a nice 4-5# bass on that jig as well, I threw that one back in. I wished them well and left, I hate fishing weeds. Negative vibes yield negative reactions from people.

I've experienced about every scenario, whether I'm fishing from boat or shore. Most inconsiderate boaters are going to be in your area just so long, best course of action is just to wait them out. Casting something at them is act of a fool, all you have done is taken yourself down to their level. In the event of an accident or injury you are liable, why take the chance.

Most of my fishing is open water with fluke type bait mounted on a jig head is used a lot. I'm sure many brands are going to work fine, as of late 1/4 oz Strike Kings are working excellent for me. Some of the species I target have jaws like concrete. Not only do I want a sharp hook but not all jig heads hold the bait as well as others.

I doubt a rod can be too sensitive, it's as good as the person holding it. I've been catching fish my entire life with rods considered not overly sensitive, I'm good with that.

When I put together a combo it's for the average fish I'm catching. When and if I hook into something much bigger that's game on, and that's what I'm looking for.

I read my docs cover to cover and more than once. When I first moved in a situation happened, it was ugly and I won't get into the exact details. A day or 2 later the HOA board member that hassled me apologized. There have been a couple of other incidents due to residents not knowing what's in the docs. In my community I can fish anyplace according to the rules, but I cannot walk thru an owners property, I have to enter thru the common areas. Living here for as long as I have with many friends most people don't mind me walking on their property, but there are some that have been quite vocal about me not doing it.

With cobia you have to watch the spines behind the neck, very sharp. We had kingfish take swipe at a leg on a boat, a slash from the knee to the ankle. A barracuda will go after you in an eye blink and tarpon and snook have gill plates like a razor blade. You have to be equally careful with pike and muskie. As much as I want to handle a fish with care if I'm releasing it, my safety comes first.

Evert time I think about a net reminds me of this episode a few years ago. We were fishing in 80 fow and hook a nice cobia, as we had our limit already this fish needed to be released. My buddy had a pos net with no rubber grips, it was chilly out and my hands were wet. Cobia decides to put another run on, leader breaks and the slippery aluminum net slides out of my hands. At least the fish was released, lol.

Netting a 40# fish single handed with a net is not always easy, I'd opt for a Boga or some type of a lip grip. Another option is a lip gaff, it's a common practice when the intention is to release a fish, a thin gaff in the lip or lower gills. This is a picture of a tarpon being gaffed.

Speaking of beards does this guy look familiar?

It's really a pretty minimal effort. From my experience most offshore fisherman have 3 maybe 4 rods with them, every marina have waters hoses, rinsing the rods and reels and flushing out the engine doesn't take much time. In fairness ramps may not have water available. Luckily the places I fish from shore all have water and I usually have no more than 2 rods.

My line is for the cover not the fish, 10# braid will handle any bass but may not handle pads and heavy vegetation. Open water is a different story, heavier braided lines are not needed for heavier fish, but there is a limit to that. I wound't use 20# braid if I were targeting 100# fish, not that I haven't caught them on accidental catch. Most of my fishing is open water, I use 15 or 20# braid and many of my fish run bigger than 10 pounds. The key factor is not the line, but the drag and technique.

In none of the previous posts there was no indication that you were fishing with a homeowner. Had that been the case just by producing some ID, you would not have been asked to leave. The rule books are called "DOCS" (short for documentations) and for the simple fact there is no reason for a non resident to have them at all. In the event a person is fishing outside the gates of a community, it's quite possible that the community still owns that property and one would still be trespassing. A simple check of the county's appraiser site will indicate who owns what, that's public information. I don't check out that information myself, but if there is an issue, the legality can easily be obtained. For the most part if one is fishing away from the homes there is usually no incident. In a gated community the HOA has total control of who can be there. Pretty normal to produce ID at the security gatehouse, not unusual for security to call the home owner to make sure it's legit visit. Security is there for the protection of the homeowners, and recreational areas such as a pond are for the enjoyment of the people that pay to live there. In my community for example I own property up to a certain point, that does not include the shoreline of the ponds. Any resident can fish that pond even though it's behind my home, I certainly don't want an outsider there, is that person fishing or casing the place out? I'm sure the intentions were for fishing only, but residents don't care about fishing too much, they care about their security and privacy. You don't live there, you don't belong there.

Real easy to say on line that you would have laughed at a person with a more authoritative physical look. I'd pay to see that, lol. To satisfy your curiosity I interpreted this scenario as a couple of immature people laughing at a large woman of color. I quote " We just started laughing at her and left. That does instill the notion that you laughed in her presence before leaving. IMO not only is it immature but disrespectful and impolite. By your own admission you said you lived there, that wasn't true. Not only were rude to her but lied on top of it, all that for fish.

I use Duolocks, I buy mine off Ebay for cheap although I know they are not originals for the price none has ever failed. I do use them quite a bit in freshwater, not as much in salt but I have used them there as well. I use the lures just the way the manufacturer packed it, don't add or subtract anything.

No I don't have any problems. Other people fish for what they do with their methods and I do what I do. I don't see too many bass or pan fishermen here, but when I do there is no jazz. The majority of my time is not spent bass fishing, but the same bucket brigade is in saltwater too. No problems there either, they fish for their species and I target mine. Their moonfish is as important to them as my snook is to me. To disrespect them would be elevating my status to an elitist just because I'm trying to catch a bigger fish, I stop fishing once in awhile and try and catch some moonies for them for dinner.

Short answer is Yes. Whether it's a bass or another species I have put live bait literally in their mouth, just to see them swim away.

This is not unusual with Shimano reels, do an internet search ad you will find dozens of posts. Shimano will say it's insect repellent or sunscreen, the fact is that many people that have this problem don't use either. I've replaced grips on 2 stradics, make sure you remove the bearings from the old grips, they are not supplied when just buy the grip.

The consensus seems to be 10-20# and I agree. The only concerns are the knots and if they line is not frayed, strength IMO does not enter into it. A 10# fish should not be able to break 15 or 20# braid.

Casting 70 yards or more is very doable, but I highly doubt it using bass equipment and bass lures. Even if one had wind aided rare 70 yd cast, you may not get good enough hookset to keep the fish buttoned. Just guessing I'd say most of my bass casts are 20 yds or less. I think many tend to over guess it, like saying a fish stripped out 40 yds of line, that's 120' and that is a long way.