SoFlaBassAddict

When I was younger, I used 2 piece rods a bunch. They were extremely easy to transport and mess around with. The problem some of the older rods had was breaking right at the join between the pieces. With modern materials that are used today in most "quality" rods, that issue is all but gone. I still prefer a solid one piece rod, but there is no reason to not use a multi piece rod if you need one.

I've hooked a few seagulls before when chumming on the reefs for snapper and kings. Makes for an entertaining fight. Like a few people mentioned, toss a towel over the eyes and it makes life much easier. I've come very close to hooking several Ducks, a couple of Osprey, and a few hawks/eagles while bass fishing. I'm not sure what the heck I would do if one of those larger birds actually got a hook into them.

Theres not a lot of size options with the Florida Rig weights...yet. They tend to tear of the head of a bait also. Really, it depends on the plastic of the lure to how much it gets torn. I've got some here that I use fairly often.

Man, that is one fantastic looking swimbait.

Great fish right there. Congrats!

I personally, and I believe most of the other people I've talked to, prefer the slower reel for cranks. It's not just about the speed that you crank, it's also fatigue. The lower geared reel is more powerful. That equates to less user fatigue when casting cranks out.

By the way, one of the new site sponsors has insert free tungsten at a very good price. Good quality. Seems to be right up there with Tru Tungsten. I'm happy with my first order and will probably be ordering more soon. http://soldier.heritagewebdesign.com/~trejason/cart/index.php

Some of them are 95% tungsten, some are 97%. I doubt the average user really can tell the difference. Some of the companies offer a higher quality weight though. They'll have a better finish on them. On the insert free weights, the inside of them will be far smoother than on the cheaper weights.

No problem.

http://www.tackletour.com/reviewshimanocitica200e.html Tackletour compares the differences in them.

You can use any hook you like for a drop shot. A lot of the standard texas rig hooks will hurt the action on the typical drop shot type of bait. I use the Owner Wacky/Drop Shot hook. The Gamakatsu WG Finesse hooks are nice as well. They also come in a weedless version if you're fishing in thicker cover. You can just nose hook the bait and drop it down. You can use them in ANY depth. Most people typically think of the drop shot as a deeper water technique. It works just as well in shallow water as well as in thicker cover. You can work it many different ways, such as the ones that Fishes in trees mentioned. I don't necessarily agree that you can't cover water with it. It can be a fantastic bait to make long casts with and drag or hop the weight back with pauses to cover lots of water. That is one of my favorite techniques when casting across submerged points. You can easily mimic a quickly moving baitfish, or a dieing bait with the drop shot. It all depends on how quickly you decide to retrieve the rig. I've found one of the best ways to fish it is to cast it out, let the weight sink to the bottom, then just dead stick the lure. You want the bait to fall to the bottom. Lift the rod tip and repeat back to the boat. This can be a very slow moving technique yet it can produce some of the largest fish. How you use it will all depends on the activity of the fish at the given time of the day. Don't think this is a finesse only technique. You can use rather large baits that are fished very aggressively. As far as gear goes, I prefer a spinning set up for a drop shot. Thats not to say that I don't have baitcasting rod set up with a drop shot when I plan to use one. I like a 7' rod in medium light to medium depending on the cover. You just need to remember that you are not going to slam the hook home on a drop shot. Just lift the rod tip and reel. This is where having a little more limber of a rod is a benefit. Drop shot hooks are typically a very small wire gauge. You don't need to cross the fishes eyes on the hook set.

Forgot to add, my 7MXF has become one of my favorite light rods. It's got goofy sensitivity and enough backbone to pull in larger fish.

I've been very happy using a 7'6" "flippin stick" for larger t-rigs and jigs. Good for pitching, flippin, casting, etc etc. I think you've got that covered though with a few of your other rods. You may want to consider something in the medium power for lighter weight lures. Senkos, smaller t-rigs, small cranks, spinnerbaits, and such. Not all med powered rods are created equal though. I like mine a little stiffer than some. You can get a really whippy medium, or a pretty stout medium. Just search around for something you like. I won't toss out any specific rods or brands for you. What I like may be vastly different than what you like.

Have you ever eaten one? Delicious...... I learned about eating them when I was in Great Harbour Key in the Bahamas. Some of the locals turned had some for us to try one night. Not a bad fish. Personally though, there are other fish species that I would much rather eat.

That would be a Napolean Wrasse. At least I'm 95% sure it is.

I am fully prepared for that. Once my kids get to that age, I'm going to hang up every single award, certificate, and other random stuff that I have from the Army right next to the front door. "Look, this is the piece of paper that says I can kill you 300 different ways with a canteen. Cool, isn't it? Oh, whats that, you need to go change your underwear? Sure thing little buddy."

I've used freshwater baits before in salt. No problems. I would recommend a superline hook if you plan on t-rigging something like a fluke. As far as the leader goes, you can probably get away with straight braid if you set your drag a little lighter initially. Otherwise, I'd put on a mono shock leader of some kind. Probably at least 30 pound.

Tell you what Bill, buy me the bass boat and I'll get you a small boat with an outboard.

KVD does it again. Unreal. Skeet is probably feeling like pure crud right now. Gotta feel bad for him right now after the year he had.

I used to launch from Black Point all of the time. I wish the Conch Chowder at the restaurant was as good as it used to be. They changed management several years ago and the food quality dropped off. Nice to hear that it's pretty good again. If those gates are open inside of the marina, you can catch some seriously large snook there. DOA shrimp or live shrimp and you're golden.

Snook can probably tell you better than I can. He does much more saltwater shore fishing than me. As far as deep hooked toothy stuff, cut the line an re-rig. Fingers don't grow back. For frozen bait, thaw it out in a bucket of water, hook it up and toss it out. I've never used a bobber in salt and have had no issues catching fish. Don't invest too much in the larger hooks. I wouldn't be surprised if Circle hooks become mandatory on the Atlantic side of Florida before too much longer. I think the only time I use longer straight shank hooks now is when I go trolling.

I don't necessarily agree with that. I find that braid backlashes far less than mono. If it does, it is far easier to pick out backlashes easier. Mono is all but ruined after a single good backlash. It kinks very easily and makes a weak spot in the line. I do agree about the size you picked though. 20 is really small. I've got 30 on one of my baitcasters, it digs in a little. I wouldn't go less than 40 myself for anything else though.

No, you don't. There are other benefits to braid other than the brute power. Because of the no stretch, it is ridiculously sensitive.

I probably should have specified freshwater. But this being primarily a freshwater forum, I guess I thought that would be obvious. If we're going to throw saltwater fish into the mix, there is absolutely nothing in freshwater that can compare with most of the Pelgagics. Hell, I don't think theres anything in freshwater that can compare to many of the inshore species as far as the power of the fight goes. By the way, Bassn; Bonita are sissies.

Thanks?