SirSnookalot

Casted into a tree this morning and hung up my lure. 10# braid with a 10# leader using an alberto and it broke off at the knot. Line came back with a smooth end not jagged indicating the knot broke not the line. Wasn't in the least bit surprised, there is always a limit to any line and knot.

Kudos to the grounds crew to get the course playable in such a short time.

I've had no fish fishing tidal water and 1 fish in freshwater over the last 2 days.

I'm sure everyone has visions of catching a great fish each time out, I wouldn't call that a plan. IMO one has to go to an area noted of holding very large fish, even still we can't predict whether a 1# or 15# fish is the one that strikes. How many times have missed target by yards, only to have some rogue lunker come up and nail my lure. I attribute my largest fish to luck and being in the right place at the exact moment in time, that I can't plan.

I have a Penn conquer 7000, the reel is a disappointment, had I read Alan Hawk's recommendation I may not have bought it. I have seen others use them and they are quite pleased, in the store nothing was as smooth. Good line capacity with 32# of drag on fairly light frame is seemed a good choice. Over time it developed a geary feeling, still quite smooth, have had it serviced twice with no improvement. I do need to send it into Penn. For $100 in a 4000 size I'd try it.

I was too, been real cool if that last chip shot went it, may have changed Rory's strategy. No question about it, the best golfer won.

I didn't think the video was conclusive in showing any sort of intent, that's my opinion which doesn't mean a thing. I'm sure the DA has seen the video umteen times, talked to some of the eyewitnesses and been in contact with Stewart's attorney, it's all up to the D.A. at this point.

If there is a local repair facility a cleaning should run 16-$20, assuming all parts are in good order. If that option isn't viable I'd check out some videos on how to dismantle and clean a spinning reel, be a good idea to have the schematics too.

I had a sage and tibor reel on a moving van, when it was unloaded the rod an reel were gone. I didn't notice the loss for a while, too busy unpacking. I was fishing the jettie very early in the morning, walked up with 2 outfits. Placed one on the railing and fished with the other, got back and my new outfit was gone. I walked back to my car and en route on a park bench a guy was sitting with a rod, walked over and it was mine. Without saying a word I grabbed the rod, then I grabbed my phone and called the police.

At the DSG I go to the normal PP price is $24.95 for a 300 yd spool. 2 for $31 is a real good deal.

I always use a leader with braid on all my lures, getting braid tangled around a treble is time consuming to unravel. My leaders are in the 18-20" range, too short for any significant stretch. Been doing it so long this way my reflexes are adapted, don't use different rods for treble and single hooks, drag is set just tight enough for hookset.

Florida is seasonal, if it's bass go in the cooler months, hot weather trip I'd be targeting peacocks, snook, redfish, tarpon and of course those 20#+ jacks.

The only time I don't use braid are with lures that rotate 360 degrees, only 2 I can think of and they are not used in freshwater. I have re designed one of the lures using a ball chain swivel and now use braid with it without any exaggerated line twist for the last 8-10 months. Some people don't care to use braid with an inline spinner, I do without any problems with or without a BB swivel. I'd say I use braid with anything for any species nearly 100% of the time.

Some type of tilapia. Catching them, good luck, in 10 years I've never caught one. They feed on insect larva and small crustaceans, I've had them nip at senko and swim after a crappie jig but they don't seem to strike. They are pretty small anyway, try targeting blue tilapia, they are catchable but difficult and can reach 8lbs or more, they give a good fight.

I think Capt Bob is right about the suggested line capacities not being accurate from the manufacture. I don't use backing too often but when I do I just eyeball it, comes out pretty good. Main line and backing (leaders too) diameters do not have to be the same. I use an alberto and it works just fine, but use the knot that works best for you. I don't see the point of going thru all the gyrations of line counting, walking it out, casting it out, measuring and applying formulas, just spool it and go fishing.

Your'e going to have to head south. This past week they have been fairly hot, on beds now and do take a bit of coaxing but they can be had. I do know they can be caught as far north as Lake Osborne, Lake Ida and the surrounding canals is where I catch mine. I don't think the Miami area can be beat for them, much more aggressive down there.

He clearly was not in good form and by his own admission needs to be in better physical condition. Watching "Live from the PGA" the other night Brandle Chamblee's analyse was right on the money IMO. Not to be too technical but his steep downswing forces him to sway to the rear a bit putting a lot of pressure on his back. My own personal thought for some time, that some of the experts are starting to say is it's coach, Foley just isn't the right guy for him. He won 5 times last year not because of Foley but in spite of Foley. A healthy TW is still a force to be reckoned with, but at nearly 39 it's time to pass the gauntlet to Rory.

Not exactly what I said. I've fished live bait for bass and snook, never tarpon, it's "bait and wait", not the same as repetitive casting IMO. Would you compare the accomplishment of catching a 10# bass on store bought shiners (I'll give a slight nod for catching your own bait, not that it's tough either) to a person sight casting or better yet catching one on a fly? Right, catching bass, snook, tarpon on bait is something I don't give much credence to. The issue of using an aftermarket enhancement isn't in the realm of consideration for me, I'm not looking for an magic bullets.

Some fish are quite difficult to catch with artificial, for those species I do use live or cut bait. The majority of what I fish for I won't use anything but a lure, I don't consider a bass, snook, tarpon and many others caught with bait as a legitimate catch, guess I'm a snob in that regard. While talking live bait I don't think cut bait should be left without a comment. IMO fish are easier to catch with cut bait than artificial too, must be the scent as there is no movement. If smell is one of the contributing factors to a strike, then the use an aftermarket rub or spray on scent, would be as blasphemous as the use of live bait to me.

True about charters and guides, their license covers the fishermen. Fishing from shore or private boat non resident license is needed. In a private community a license is not needed to fish ponds. I'm only familiar with the Atlantic, dolphin for the most part are caught 300 fow, sometimes come closer to shore, swordfish are in the gulfstream which is about 6 miles from shore where I live. When we say 300' that doesn't mean we are bottom fishing, that's just the area the fish happen to be in, dolphin can be caught on the surface.

Matter of one's own preference. I keep my original leader on, put a new one on when it gets too short, or use a duolock snap. Don't care to use a snap with a jig or jig head but I have and still caught fish. I may change to a lighter or heavier leader if necessary. Most of the time I don't change lures very often keeping re rigging to a minimum but will do it if I need to make a change. Not one answer fits every scenario,

Yes it has and my opinion hasn't changed. When fishing I don't take time to post pictures or read topics, I can do that at home.

Live bait almost always out performs artificial.

I wear one in the cooler months around my neck, sometimes for no seeum protection. For the most part I don't care for them, too hot.

Soujourn isn't a bad rod at all, despite the low price. I have a 7' heavy that I used for years, still have but I keep it for back up. Very good friend has nothing but Van Staals, has one of them on the same heavy Soujourn rod as mine, he uses it just as often as his custom rods.