SoFlaBassAddict

See, now you're just making me jealous.... I've managed flying cross country twice, and up to manhattan three times. Fishing sounds much more enjoyable. It definitely has more power than the 4 power makes you initially think. Once you get into the backbone it turns into just good ole power.

Oh, Robert; you tease. Can I have what it's replacing?!

X2 The few times I've tried their products have all gone badly. Just not a quality product IMO.

The 804c is the real deal for moving baits in cover. If it starts to get really heavy, I'll use a 736c. That thing is a frog walkin, hawg pullin monster. As much as I like the 735, I just like the stiffer 736 a little more. Takes a little getting used to the stiffer tip, but its worthwhile once you do.

Hell, Shane. For what you want to throw, just about any decent saltwater rod will do the trick. A lot of the freshwater specific sticks are far too limber for where you like to fish.

I know there are some plastics in my box that have been in there for a couple of years. When I top my boxes off, I just lay in the new ones on top of the old ones. All of mine are stored in the garage though. Not sure what would happen if you left them in a boat locker all summer parked outside though....

One thing so often forgotten is abrasion resistance. Braid and rocks just do not go together. If I know I'm in an area that I stand a chance of having some line abrasion, I'll usually toss on an appropriate leader with an Albright or Alberto knot. To the OP, just spend some time experimenting with and without a leader. See which one you like the best and stick with it. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Rod IMO. I don't skimp on my gear for either. No matter which you choose to spend more money on, you can get some very good quality gear around the 100 dollar mark.

X2 There is nothing wrong with leaving them in a Plano box for a period of time. I've got some that have been in boxes for a long time now.

Arguably one of the best rods I've bought in a while. That thing is perfect for the majority of the fishing down here unless you're getting into really heavy flipping. I'm considering ordering a second one just because of how ultra versatile it is. As good as it is for swimbaits, it makes an awesome spinnerbait rod in the grass with braid.

Oh sure Mike, rub it in! I haven't been out for a while. Hell of a bag right there guys. That's definitely one awesome quick trip at Lox.

Or twins... Or become an adult... Or, or, or, or, or..... Enjoy it while its there BC. It's not all that bad right now even though you may think it is.

I try hard to make sure I always tip the delivery guy. I don't order out all that often anymore, but when I do, I make a good effort to send them away with some extra cash. Most of the time, those guys are pretty strapped for cash. I can only imagine the beating those cars take. If you're a waiter in a restaurant and give me crap service and an attitude, don't be surprised with what's left on the table. I've left a pair of pennies behind once or twice. Do an average job, get an average tip. Go above and beyond, and I'll make sure I treat you well. Some of my best waiters have straight up SUCKED. But they tried d**n hard. Effort goes a long way in my book.

Workin on it. Like I said, hopefully only another couple of months to go. It's definitely a good feeling to know clothing doesn't fit for the right reasons. I've ruined a few belts cutting new holes in them. Will do. Not sure if ill be in town. Just got back from Sonoma and Chicago. Going to Manhattan next week. Off to San Diego shortly after.... Thankfully it's all business related. Lol. Any time. I'll let you know next time I'm free so we can hook up. I'm still chasing that 9+ on Okeechobee. One of these days I'll find her swimming around.

Shane is definitely the man for Snakeheads. You may find some decent Tarpon, Robert, but if you really want a good tarpon trip, you're in for a drive from SOBE. Reports have been pretty good for the offshore bite though. You wanna have some fun, take some bass tackle out and pitch baits to sailfish.

Haven't logged in for a bit. Realized it yesterday that I haven't been around here in several months. I think the last topic I started was about my smoking habit. I'm still smoking, though its FAR less than before. A pack is lasting a week or longer now. I learned I was not a nice person going cold turkey. I figure at the rate I'm going now, I'll be through with them in another couple of months if not sooner. Along with that and work, getting back into shape has been my major goal over the last four months. 43 pounds lost, and several pounds of muscle added on. I need to go buy new clothes in a bad way right now. The majority of my shorts and pants fall right off of me now. It's scary how easy and enjoyable it really is to drop the fat. Though putting it on was far easier unfortunately. Fished this afternoon for the first time in a while. I d**n near forgot how much fun catching dinks was. Time for me to go catch up on all the posts I've missed lately........

X2 d**n moccasins are irritating as hell.

Rod Gloves for me. Work great. Worth the investment to protect your gear.

I'd like to think I live in that state... No, we don't have smallmouth, or walleye, etc etc. Killer Largemouth fishing all year long throughout the state.. Killer Saltwater fishing all year long. Takes an hour and a half to run the boat to the Bahamas on a bad weather day. Lobster season jut started. Fish are feeding aggressively everywhere. Options, options, options. Couldn't be happier. My deep freezer is very, very full right now. Fresh Lobster on the grill for dinner tonight! Oh, and real Cuban Coffee. Yessir!

KISS theory is the way to fish the canals in southern Florida. Specific baits really don't matter. Take your pick out of a couple general categories. Keep It Simple Stupid. Texas rigged worms. Weightless stickbaits or flukes. Lipless cranks. Topwater lures. Frogs is its very weedy on top. Spooks if you're in more open water. Flip into heavy grass. This time of the year is hard to fish some of the canals. The brutal heat will either make the fish find the deepest water they can, or the thickest grass available. Sometimes both. Look for moving water. If you aren't getting bit, keep moving to another area. Lots of times right now, if you catch one, there will probably be another couple in the same general area.

Finesse is a state of mind, not a limit on equipment. You can finesse a one ounce jig, or power fish an eighth ounce shakey head. After experimenting with tons of fluoros, hybrids, etc etc, I've gone back to braid for 99% of my fishing. I'll add a leader when I feel it's necessary.

Nah. Got the old 275 running good again. Took a bit of work, but I'm happy now. I really need to purge out some of the old fuel next. Spent the last week building new rod holders under the gunwale, fixing the transom door mounting, new fuel sending unit, etc etc. Nothing major, just time consuming. Just have some small stuff left. New anchor light bulbs and stuff like that. I'm ready to go full bore for the first week of lobster season.

Just another reason why I love living down here. Lol. Great fish, Robert. Looking forward to getting my boat back out next weekend. Probably going to spend some time chumming deep over the reefs chasing some good table sized yellowtail and kingfish. Oh, and if a sailfish or three wants to come play, they're more than welcome

I own a lot of tackle. Far too much. Way more reels than I can ever hope to use on a given day. That being said, my Citicas see more use than any other reel I own. The Curados are just a little smoother, and will cast lighter baits just a little better. The larger knobs are nice as well. Dollar for dollar though, the Citica 200E series are extremely hard to beat. Just a solid workhorse reel. I beat mine to death in both fresh and saltwater. Other than routine maintenance, I haven't had to do a thing to them. Trouble free reels. Just make sure you clean out the factory sludge that Shimano covers their reels in.

Simply put, the hotter the better for Peacocks. Just sucks to be fishing for an extended time in this heat. They're out and schooled up on my lake in Broward. Great fun for the kids with a bucket of shiners. You can go through a dozen of them in about 10 minutes right now.