SoFlaBassAddict

Damned if you do, damned if you don't. Use the wire and get far less strikes. Don't use the wire and get cut off far more often. Thats just half the fun though....

Great lookin rig. I'd be more than happy to fish out of a boat like that. I may have to look into one of them when I start shopping later this year.

Sounds like you need a trip to south Florida, Chris. You can do all of those from the same boat, on the same day. As far as the Tarpon go, catching them on fly is a blast. Personally, if I'm chasing BIG tarpon, I'll go away from the fly rods.

Winning! That got a laugh out of me. Thanks. Besides, there is nothing better than baby seal oil for lubing a reel....

I used to hate cell phones. I'm still not the biggest fan of them. The main reasons I have one now are the following: being a single parent, I need to be able to be reached if something happens with my kids (it has, an ambulance was involved). That fact alone makes me understand the need for one. I'm also a business owner and during the workday I need to be able to speak with employees, clients, etc. The other primary reason is family other than my daughters. My parents are both getting older, and I don't know what I'd do to myself if they had an accident and I wasn't able to be reached somehow. I do make social calls on mine like everybody else, but those are fairly limited. I don't really answer my cell after a certain hour. I speak with more people from Bass Resource than most other people now. If somebody local really needs me, they can either call my house number or wait until the next day to get in touch with me. I've got enough respect for the people that I go out with though that I wouldn't sit in front of them texting away or talking on the phone if we're out socially. Thats just plain rude.

rofl I'd be PO'd too.

I've knocked a bunch of "dream" trips off my list. I've yet to do giant salmon fishing up north, though I hear that can be an absolute blast. Both El Salto and Falcon are still pretty high on my bucket list. Cairns Australia for billfish is still on top for me. If I had to give you a few places that are "must go to" spots: Somewhere in the Amazon for Peacocks (just pure enjoyment if you get there at the right time of the year) Fly Fishing in the Keys (Islamorada flats fishing for tarpon, bonefish, etc etc) Tropic Star Lodge for billfish (giant baits, giant fish, giant fights, can't ask for more) There are tons of phenomenal fishing opportunities out there. It's all a matter or how much you want to pay. If you're set on fly fishing, just come on down to the Keys. It's just as good, if not better than a very large portion of the Caribbean/Bahamas. I can tell you that from experience. I basically grew up fishing all over the Bahamas taking the boat over. It was almost a weekly trip to Bimini, several times a year to Great Harbour, and more to Andros, etc etc. If you've got the money and want a HELL of a trip for multi species, there is no better spot in the Ocean than Great Harbour. Very few people go there. It has a tiny airstrip, it's also a very long/hard ride across the Bahama Bank on a boat. It's been a while since I've been there, but I have never found a place with a better fishery. I doubt that would be a cheap trip right now though.

WTG, Doug. Remember to kick Hawk in the junk next time he bails on you

Going off of what you asked, braid. If you're taking nylon mono and fluoro into consideration, if you ask 10 different people you're going to get 10 difference answers.

You'll be fine in the Tracker. Theres a few members down here that use them. Okeechobee can get pretty rough if the wind starts blowing or some storms roll in. It's a big freakin body of water. Spend some time reading maps and all to get an idea of where to run and not to run. The water levels are down right now. Not a good time to be unfamiliar out there. Ask around, theres plenty of people that will be more than happy to give you some help on which areas are safe and which aren't.

I may have to go out and grab a pair of them. Thankfully they aren't grossly expensive. I don't mind spending the two hundred bucks on a quality saltwater reel. Especially when I'm using it to catch pelagics and other hard running fish.

I'd like to say I'd release it after a few photos....after I call everybody I know. If I actually run into that situation one day, who knows what I'd do.

I am planning on getting a shirt made with that on it.

You want old school? You got it. Gary Dobyns video from 20 something years ago. Awesome.

Steve. Stop making me so jealous...... Ridiculous fish as always. WTG

How's that Conquer been treating you, Snook? I've been eyeballing a couple of them for a while now to use as general workhorse reels.

Crazy old man, aint he. Thats borderline lunacy. Snook, you may need to get yourself checked out.

This man speaketh the truth....eth....

You using braid without backing by any chance?

Whatever depth the fish are biting in. I do like shallow water more than anything though.

179 bucks? Hell, I wish I could find one that cheap. I'd buy it right this instant.

Generally speaking, the closer the lines are together, the steeper the change in depth/height. The more spread out they are, the flatter the area on the map. You can go into some serious details on how to read a map with contour lines. http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/Reading_Maps.html http://www.usc.edu/org/cosee-west/glaciers/HowToReadTopoMaps.pdf http://www.spn.usace.army.mil/lake_sonoma/topomap.htm

Dinner at your place, Snook? Great fish right there. d**n tasty too.

Congrats, Mike!

Ouch! Thats a hell of a bummer right there.....not a cheap screw up.