SirSnookalot

The keyword is some................you being a LEO should be trained, I don't believe most average citizens are.

Actually I did around 1975 for a couple of years, at that time in Michigan a CCW was not easy to obtain, at that time they were issued for people that worked in risky areas, or had jobs that made them possible targets, luckily I had no problems. After a while I felt uncomfortable with a gun and more uncomfortable with the idea of what might happen to me if I made a mistake shooting the wrong person, or maybe letting my temper get the best of me. I have been held up and mugged twice at gunpoint, not work related and at night, I was plain lucky, no weapon would have done me any good. Many that would disagree probably have never been robbed at gunpoint, it's total surprise, the odds favor the mugger. I can't be convinced that I'm safer with a gun on my hip, I may feel safer, but in reality I don't think I am. Yeah, I'm real anti gun, the facts are undeniable, we have more guns per capita and more deaths per capita due to firearms than anywhere else, whether it be from criminals or domestic violence. As I say, if someone thinks they are safer, can carry one legally, do it if you choose, I choose not to.

I'm a fan of spinning gear, not that I don't have different combos for various situations but if needed I could get by with just one. I use a med 7' inshore rod (I don't really think the blank is any different) 8/17 lure rated up to 3/4 oz. I consistanly throw lighter lures as well as 1 oz lures for snook, tarpon and jack crevelles, I use 4000 for the line capacity. Not uncommon to take this same combo and bass fish with it. A lot of good choices out there, have to experiment to see what you like the best, I use a few brands and like them all.

I went to the inlet Monday morning and the gate to the park was locked for the first time. I fished in the ICW, but no action.

Easy talk and nothing but lip service before the act. Quite true being aware is helpful, most people are not and certainly not trained, it's one thing shooting at paper target that doesn't move or shoot back. A person with bad intentions has the situation planned out before hand and will come out of nowhere, taking most by complete surprise. Your best recourse at that time is begging.............you won't have a chance to pull your weapon. If carrying a weapon makes you feel better, then carry one, but chances you won't be able to use it. It's easy to play " Dirty Harry" on the net.

From a person that has been robbed at gunpoint I can tell you the chances of a perp announcing their intentions is remote. They come out of the shadows gun in hand and be on you so fast, you can do nothing but pee in your pants, pretty much what most are going to do. Not only are they taking your money and other valuables, they're gonna take your gun too, maybe even use it on you.

Over the last few days I've seen the water get really high in the canals and ponds and the storm has gotten here yet. This morning (Sunday) I went to the inlet for some tarpon fishing, first time I have ever seen the park gated and closed. I stopped by a spot in the ICW to cast for some snook, the water level is as high as I have seen and this was the outgoing tide, the tide was actually being pushed back by the wind. If this storm hits at high tide we are going to have a problem. It's a bit calmer inland where I live, 8 miles from the ocean, heading out now to bass fish but it's going to rain on and off all day.

Not getting into a debate which is better, that's only in the eyes of each individual user, but trilene xl 8# is actually .010 diameter, izorline xxx 8# is .011, not that I think that really is enough of a difference to pick one over another. Trilene and Stren are available every where, some of the other lines are not.

I fish this set up except with a 30 supreme. It's good for pond use but for an all around setup, especially if there is some heavy vegetation, I think you need more backbone. Not suggesting anyone buy this, but when I need something a bit heavier I use an med 8/17 calico jack and a supreme 35, cost $55 and $99, I've even caught snook on this outfit.

I've used all 3, I prefer trilene xl.

We are going to dodge this bullet, but I'm still concerned about a power outage. Yesterday morning is was pretty windy by the ocean (storms all night), I had 6 tarpon strikes and 2 snook, sad to report none took the hook. They were very active and hitting glass minnows, I may stop and buy some DOA shrimp this morning with a split shot and give that a try. The bass were getting a bit active in my pond too.

Braid is more about line diameter, manageability and line capacity. Strength is pretty much a given, PP 20# has a breaking strength of about 35#, that's somewhere in the middle of the pack, I don't advocate one brand over another. I personally use 10 or 15# for freshwater fishing on my spinning gear, I have given up F/C leaders, but use mono ones. Inshore fishing to me isn't much different than freshwater, except no slop, but there are other reasons for needing a bit stronger line. I'm using 15 and 20# braid, with 30 and 40# leaders, using knots tied correctly, understanding the drag, I have no weak links from lure to reel, with a strong chain like this I can handle one hell of a fish, with no line issues.

Many of my med rods (I use spinning only) have a max lure rating of 3/4 oz., with many of them I'm just as comfortable using 1 oz.

@ Shimmy...........your profile Location Great Falls, VA PB largemouth 26 lbs 2 oz,....... .Typo?

I'm not critical of what anyone does with a legal fish, for me a photo is good enough and many of my really great fish don't even have pics, but I remember them all.

I fish every day, being retired allows me that luxury. As they say, something is always biting in Florida and that's true. I could never see myself living in a non coastal area with anything but a moderate to warm climate. I do spend a lot of time bass fishing, but spend more time targeting other species. If I can get Bassn to get off his butt, I can take him to catch tarpon, snook, jacks, bass and peacocks in the same place, not far from where we live.

Just knowing this pond, the people that live there and who else fishes (none that I've seen) parasites makes the most sense.

It does boil down to price range, any rod under a $100 I personally would not pay much attention to warranty, speaking for myself it isn't worth the time and effort to send it back. I have never had a rod break on me regardless of the price, unless I closed my trunk on it. I'm not specific with actually recommendations but if a warranty is important a Shimano clarus for example has a lifetime over the counter replacement, which is the only warranty that appeals to me. My clarus has been rock solid for about 4 years and gets a ton of use.

That's what I call insulting those St Croix fin atics

10# is probably too heavy for a bass spinning reel, I'm not surprised with some coiling, braid and a F/C leader eliminates that issue. I soak my line in hot water for about 15 minutes, the line is supple I don't have a coiling problem when spooling up. I use 14-17 and 20# on 5000 and 8000 spinning reels and it works well for me, after trying a host of different lines I'm back to trilene xl, no coiling, no problems.

I match the rod to to the lure weight or cover I deal with (spinning only for me), that's as specific as I get.

Right from the git go I knew this was a sick puppy. I don't know what caused those sores, maybe an intestinal blockage. If was from a plastic worm it wasn't from me, I don't fish them, this is a small pond in my community, I have 6 of them there, in 9 years I have never seen anyone fish it but me, but I'm not there 24 hours day either.

X2 Only other exception for me would be having to pull fish out of heavy cover, may want a little more rod for that. In open water some very good sized fish can be handled on rods that don't seem strong enough, they are.

Caught this on a spinner bait, very lethargic strike and hardly any fight at all. I couldn't help notice these sores all over it's belly. It's skin looked like spawned out salmon ready to die.

Path has shifted west, now predicted to skirt west coast of Florida http://www.wesh.com/weather/Florida-remains-in-path-of-Isaac-as-track-shifts-west/-/11789714/16206142/-/l24c89z/-/index.html