gulfcaptain

Your snakeheads you see in the backs of the canal are probably there due to warmer waters as well as the different cichlid speices you see. They like warmer waters then the bass. So where the bass stay more toward the mouths of the canal where there is an influx of fresh somewhat cooler water, the invasive exotics like the warmer areas and a dead end canal the backs are going to be a lot warmer and to their liking. So your snakeheads have found an area to fill in the void and more then likely feed on the ciclids and other smaller exotics in the back of the canal.

Some don't tie, some do. Here is my take on that....do what you want. I put backing on mine but you can tie direct although I'd probably put one wrap of mono before the braid. If you're wondering why......Here's my answer. That 12lb mono will break a whole lot quicker then that 40lb braid just incase you hook into something that decides to take you to the knot. If you're worried about 200yrds being enough. I'd say yes. If he gets over 150yrds of line out and you haven't stopped him, well he's probably going to make that 200yrd mark or bust you off before hand. You can pull hard with 40lb braid, really hard. So short answer yes to both.

What price range are you looking at? Have several, well more then several. As of right now, I have the TourMG which is nice, a collection of EXO's (3 300's, 3 200's, and 5 100's as well as 1 25 spinning.). Have 1 Kenetic (sold one) and 2 Accurists (older model), as well as 5 Smoke 150's. As you can tell I have a few. Only fish 3 baitcasting reels (Quantum, *** *** and C's, and the 4 older Carbonlites I have from BPS). As of right now my Kenetic and Accurists are semi-retired due to upgrades. None of the Quantums have ever given me any issues. So although they are looked down by others who would choose to put them down and say they are garbage (have seen my buddies Diawa's and Shimano's end up in the shop for several performance issues) all while my Quantums keep going. They have a bad rap if you don't get into the PT series reels. I wouldn't fish anything under the Accurist. If you have an honest question about them shoot me a personal message and I'll give you a straight answer about whatever you're wondering about Quantum's.

Yeah, I think I have a few of those "sweet reels" in my retired box of reels. Hey I might be sitting on a couple hundred thousand worth of them "sweet reels"....lmao

I can buy a used 20' procraft bass boat, install power poles, electronics, and new trolling motor......still be under $12K.

You could use that. And no it doesn't need to be super sensitive. You want a more forgiving rod with a softer action. But it beats not having any rod to throw a reaction bait on.

And just ordered some of these to try as well next.

I do it both ways. Either snell or well San Diego Knot. Heavy weights sometimes get two bobber stops. And I've had days where they liked the way the bait sat with the snelled hook (bait seemed to sit up right when it hit the bottom) and other days with it tied direct. Only difference, when I don't use a snell, I try and use a punch skirt to protect my braid from the tugsten weight which I have had cut the knot from the small amount of movement the weight has being flipped as where the snelled hook protects the line with the eye of the hook and eliminating that issue. And all snelled hook fish seem to be hooked in the tops of their mouths more often as well.

Well sounds like you have answered your own question of what techique you need to learn next. If you're wondering, the 7'3"M *** (I have an older one) will work for spinnerbaits/chatterbaits up to 1/2oz, and most squarebill and rattle-trap style baits as well. The 2.5 size fishes a little big but can be done. The 1.0, 1.5's no problems. And all rattle traps up to 1/2oz. Lots of baits there to fish and cover water.

Bank fishing = take your time when you get them next to the bank. Once you get the technique that works for you there won't be any issues. Yes you may loose a fish every now and then if the hook comes out. I simply play and walk the fish till I can bring it to me with my hands on the line and not the rod. Be patient and you'll land more then you will loose.

I can understand not wanting to re-rig. But it's not that big a deal between a t-rig and a jig. I just suggested a crankbaits/reaction baits simply because it gives you a whole different approach. It compliments your other rigs. You miss a fish on a spinnerbait, you throw a wacky rigged Senko. All your techniques right now aren't made to cover lots of water. They are a slow presentation. Crankbaits/reation baits give you a one two approach. Just my way of thinking about it.

Let him come to the LA/OC area, fish the city parks and small bodies of water I do around town. I'd give myself a 50/50 shot in beating him. And I would rather him use his own gear as well. But there will be no boat and no electronics. Walk the bank, and bring what tackle you can carry. Lets see what he can do. Think the odds would be fairly close.

Why don't you learn to fish some reaction baits.....IE crankbaits, spinnerbaits, topwater, buzzbaits, chatterbaits. Jigs would be a good choice as well, but some moving baits to cover water may be a better way to go then jig fishing (not including a swim jig). You can fish a lot of jigs on your 7'MH you're using to t-rig unless you're fishing something like a 3/4oz. Most 3/8 and 1/2oz you can cover with that 7'MH.

Saltwater fishing, I'd look into Seaforth Sportfishing. One of the best landings in S. Cal. Used to run charter boats out of there and their 3/4 day boat, The San Diego has one of the best young captains running it. Talk to Mark in the tackle office and he will set you up with the tackle needed as they do rent out equipment.

I'd just buy a new handle myself. But then Diawa is only about 15min from my house. That way if I choose to sell the reel at a different time I could offer both handles with it to whomever wanted to buy it.

Also, try a nail weight (1/16oz) in one end of say a 5" Senko and wacky rig it. Gives it a different way of presenting the bait as well. And if you like moving baits, can't remember what it's referred as, but trim the back end of a Senko or any 5" Senko style bait, and add a #3 willow blade with a small barrel swivel attached by a Owner Twistlock bait keeper. Then fish it with a 3/16oz pegged bullet weight and swim it though grass. I've had great success with that when they wouldn't eat anything else. Just remembered. It's th MJ rig. Look it up and check it out.

There you go, problem solved.

Yes you can use a battery switch/selector. We use them on all our batteries on the boats I run. This way if we need to swap battery banks or isolate one of them we can without any issues.

If it's a simple fix and you can find the part, fix it, especially if you enjoy fishing with it. If you are looking to upgrade it with something else, then do that, but fix it and shelf it for another time when you may want to use it for something.

Can also look into the H20 line at Academy. Still have one of their reels that ran about $80. Light, smooth, and in your price range. Better yet, if it gives you problems, just take it back to Academy since it's their house brand.

Swimbaits and arigs I want to fish slower I fish something with a 24" IPT. Normally this is a reel in the 5.1 area. Then have a couple that are 26-32" IPT and normally are in the 6.1 area or a bit higher. The 300 size reels in a 7.1 pick up almost 36-39" per turn. So don't use them as the bigger baits are going to wear you out with that retrieve. But have converted all my swimbait/ a-rig equipment to EXO 200's and 300's in both the 6:6.1 and 5:4.1.

All comes down to conditions. Sometimes a dropshot or powershot work better then just a t-rig worm or wacky rig. Sometimes a wacky rig dropshot works good too. Just have to experiment and try different things. You really want to learn to fish a worm, leave everything else at home and go out with just a few types of worms and fish. That way you don't give up too quickly and fall back to your other baits.

Find a reel that picks up 26-28 IPT. Gear ratio's vary depending on the reel. That's a better idea of what to look for.

I have the KVD Tour 7'4" MH cranking rod. Nice feel to it, also have a 7'6" Quantum Smoke Med Moderate action rod. Both are great for squarebills and series 3/3XD, and wigglewarts. The KVD Tour will also handle the 8.0 squarebill if you're looking to possibly run the bigger squarebills.

I understood the op question. Answered it. But then also referenced a few other posts from others to clearify and respond to those posts without quoting 15 different responses. Too much work for that. Just like the post refering to banning lead.....They have been trying to do that since the early 90's. Yep can still buy a lead sinker in a tackle store. Been fighting to ban that for 20 years. Hasn't happened yet.