Darren.

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.

As long as it is a "general" location of where I live, fine. We don't want or need to provide our specific location, IMHO.

Welcome aboard! Have you reeled in wacky rigged baits that did not spin at all? I see some spin, and do not worry too much about it. The bait is rigged horizontally, pulling it through the water will result in some movement given the imperfect nature of Stik-Os (which I use a lot of). And I have snelled Gamakatsu Finesse Wide Gap and Gammy Split/Drop hooks (don't now since I mostly tie weedless). The point with wacky is the fall, not the reeling in, though you can often get bit on the reel-in. You cast it, let it fall and do it's shimmy, then reel, let it fall, rinse and repeat until you're out of the strike zone... My .02.

D.A.N.G.!!! Congrats on her taming the BEAST!! Wow!

Welcome aboard!

There was a post on this earlier in the week, a lot has changed since. Florida is in the sights now, but past 5 days it is still a crap shoot as to whether Irene goes further inland, or makes a run up Florida, skirting the Eastern sea board or running up FL and into wester portions of GA, SC, etc. The spaghetti models for both GFS and EU are getting a bit closer in agreement. As Henry Margusity says, the bigger a storm, the more it wants to go straight. Takes a lot of energy to turn it. Henry Margusity‏ @HenryMargusity Following More As I said before, big storms plow straight. takes a lot of energy to move a big hurricane that is producing a lot of energy.

@Glenn is on it.

Yes. Mentioned it in another post where there are 3 pix, none of which I can see. Was fine yesterday, but can't see any today.