Darren.

Haven't used Fenwick, but often look at them. Not carried in my local BPS, so usually get hands-on when I travel. They're definitely nice rods for the $. When I went to northern MN, I took my 5'6" Light BPS MicroLite travel rod (which loads more like a ML) and boy did I have fun with smallies up to and just over 2 pounds. I've used it since here in VA and caught some hefty largies. But I'm a guy who prefers shorter rods, I don't use any over 6'6" for freshwater, and mostly use 5'9" to 6'. Just my pref. You'll definitely like the better hook setting with a stiffer rod.

If one flies off during a cast, not much you can do, but for worn ones, I, like @Bluebasser86 throw them to the front of my kayak, out of the way. For me, no bilge pump to worry about, and no scuppers in mine, either.

Welcome aboard!

Welcome aboard!

Welcome aboard! Since you're starting out, I'd try out what you've got, but upgrading the reel to a President is a fine choice. What is the power of the rod? Medium, Medium Heavy? As for spooling up the reel, I'd go with braid + leader, but you don't need to go too heavy. I'll let others chime in on the casting setup as I've gotta run. Good luck!

Don't think there's any "standard" as much as confidence-opinions on "best" line(s) to use. My M.O. is braid + leader on all rigs, and for drop shot, I'll typically use 6 and 8# gamma edge fluoro, as well as 6# Yo Zuri Hybrid. If I were you I'd try a longer leader length. Some have experimented with 20' sections as did Gary Yamamoto years back. His reasoning was that when fighting a fish near the boat he wanted the leader knot on his reel so there was one less possible failure. I've never worried about that, and not had any problems at all. Will other stuff work, absolutely, as testified by all the responses.

As far as Jose, all the models I've looked at have it looping around, brushing the East Coast, maybe, and heading out into the Atlantic. If you look at the graphic here, (use your arrow keys right and left to progress thru the map) you'll see the current GFS thinking. https://www.tropicaltidbits.com/analysis/models/

The Keys weren't so lucky. Devastation there by reports I've been reading. Niece and her family in Miami lost power but not for long. They are in new construction with underground power cables, and in a non-flood/evac zone apparently. Glad for those who weathered relatively unscathed, very sad for those who've been devastated. Thoughts and prayers...

Welcome aboard! Sounds like you're well prepared for fresh/salt fishing. Got a great kayak for those pursuits. Alas, I have no experience anywhere in SC, but there are lots of folks on the board that can help. Good luck!

You'd be surprised at what happens when the Bait Monkey finds your soft spot, LOL. Be vigilant, for the Bait Monkey prowls the forums seeking the unaware, or the weak, even the strong. It will find weaknesses.

Hadn't thought about plumber's tape. Good idea.

Ahh the joys of children. I've got 4 boys, don't have a boat, but we've all done similar stuff. Live n learn. Trolling motor training will help as others have said.

Welcome aboard! Berkeley Lightning Rod Shock is a great rod at that price-point, even less $ at Walmart, but sounds like you're gonna go with the Daiwa, also good.

I start either with some electrical tape, or a couple winds of mono, or I do a really quick reel to get the braid around several wraps (if using no backing). That last one is a hit or miss pile of frustration, though...

It's a nice thing, eh? Unfortunately, the tanking Jets was likely our easiest game, this and the second Jets game later in the season! But this is the NFL. Anything can happen! Right!? Right? right?

Hmm. Interesting thoughts. I started on spinning...well, technically I started on simpler gear, but that said, I graduated quickly to spinning gear. Learned casting over the past many years to the point where I became proficient in doing almost everything I could do on spinning...almost. Today I am using spinning gear about 10:1 over casting. In terms of shooting, loading the rod, etc., yes, I agree mostly. I think it comes down to experience. Each is different, each is unique. All said, I probably would agree with your sentiments for the most part.

Wow, that's a long 6.3 lber! Citation length here in VA. Congrats!

Welcome aboard!

Welcome back! Long time away!

It takes a real man to admit using the wacky rig! Welcome aboard, Jimmy! I'm just kidding with @A-Jay, by the way I'd definitely try the wacky rig - I use it for open and in sticks. I'll use a wacky jig head to get it down in deeper water. Another rig that works great is the Ned. Do a search in the forum for details on that. Also the drop shot is excellent.

And apparently she's now a Cat 5 Two recon planes are simultaneously investigating Category 5 Hurricane #Irma. Real-time data is available here: https://www.tropicaltidbits.com/recon/

Congrats!

Dave's latest post on FB goes back to the drawing board since Irma's track has changed. I posted the link but it was blocked for "security rules"... And this is an excellent video explaining Irma, by tropicaltidbits.com's Levi Cowan.

Welcome aboard, Fritz!

Yeah. Macs are definitely not as "out there" financially as they used to be. Today you can get an *equivalent* PC in the same price-range as a MacBook, which, IMO, makes the Mac a more compelling option given macOS's Unix roots which is inherently safer than others.