BassinLou

Enjoy your trip Welds, I am heading out to Glades this morning in a little while, I will give you a heads up on how I did.

All I can say is 2 things. 1. Siesta key is gorgeous. We vacation there every summer with the kids. 2. March and April are very good months for fishing in SE Fl. Weather is nice and the fishing can be down right crazy. Enjoy your trip!!

Internal 2, external 1. Good to go.

Best of luck with whatever you decide.

I wouldn't sell the fishing gear. Right now you are focusing your attention on other activities, but who is to say you won't get the fishing bug again in 6 to 9 months from now. Then you might decide to sell off your MMA gear or Motorcross gear to buy a fishing outfit. Lol... Just stay with your stuff. i have a feeling you will be returning to it quicker than you think.

Take your pick of reel to throw light weight lures. Ch50E, Curado, Lews TT pro, Tournament MG. Any of these will throw the baits you want quite easily. As far as rod, Dobyns Savvy 703 will do great on those light applications.

Hey Welds aren't you boarding a plane soon to increase your data collection on some South Fl pigs!?!

To walk a spook type bait or frog you don't need vertical space. Well... to set the hook of course, but, to walk effectively you keep your rod tip down. My first recommendation is to learn how to walk a spook type bait. It's easier. Take your time and find a rhythmic cadence. Keep the rod tip down and tap towards the water gently. Give the bait just enough slack to allow it to move side to side. It's all in the wrist. Once you get the spook down, to walk a frog take 75%-85% off the cadence, especially if you are using braid. It will take some time, but if you stick to it you will be able to effectively fish both style baits quite easily. Good luck.

I happen to have all 3 reels. Before I answer, I would have to agree, so many factors play into this. Assuming all 3 reels have had their bearings flushed and properly oiled and assuming its the same type of rod, line, and same bait I would have to say that all 3 reels cast relatively the same distance.

There are several excellent reels on the list you provided. I can attest to 4 of them. My question to you is: What qualities would you consider the "best reel" should have? The answer to that question believe it or not will help you narrow down your choices.

Cool ColdSVT!! Enjoy your new reel. I know I am enjoying the heck out of my 50E. Saturday will be a nice test run for mine ..... Everglades!!

Were you also fishing with a lizard, at the same time your friend was fishing his?

With so many lizards in the market today, I wouldn't go crazy trying to find "that" lizard. I looked it up, looks like a normal lizard to me. Duplicate the color and length of the lizard your friend used and I am sure you would have done as well.

My hardest hit off shore was earlier this year. We were trying to catch wahoo, which I have never done before. We were trolling faster than usual which is common for Wahoo. We trolled for a while with 0 luck, my BIL, told me to start reeling the lines in when my reel went from 0 to 60 in 2 seconds lol!! I have never heard drag fly out of reel like that before. It seemed like it was never going to end. Luckily I took my time and landed my first hoo!!

If I were to pick only one line it would be PP 40lb braid. I can throw multiple applications with this line including utilizing a leader if need be.

That's a great question. I follow threads on other boat forums and some guys have barely broken in their new boat's sort of speak, before they are pulling the trigger on the newest model several seasons later. To each their own i guess.

I use a spider wire sling pack. Bought at DSG. Comes with a little plano box.

This is the quickest example i can provide utilizing the fish grip. I know its a peacock bass, but the placement is relatively the same.

You place it right after the lip of the lower jaw. The fish grip pinches and hooks on to the bottom lip.

Well... since you asked i feel that bass ...... lol!! I couldn't resist.

My favorite lure of all time hands down, the hollow body frog.

You have options galore. Especially with Xmas sales and outgoing models. Good luck choosing. Lews, Shimano, Daiwa, that's a great problem to have. Happy shopping.

A Christmas Story for me. I grew up watching that movie. Its hilarious.

The fish grip is awesome. As far as hurting fish, as long as you place the grip in the proper location which is immediately behind the lip, it secures the bass pretty well and the bass is not going anywhere. As far as putting your finger between the grip.... i wouldn't advice you to do that again.