Chris at Tech

We also saw plenty of tarpon but couldn't coax them to bite. My best shot was on a flat, we finally saw one after I made 100+ empty casts trying to get a cuda on a plug. I pick up the tarpon rig and make a really good cast...Except apparently I hit a cuda right in the head, and I was broken off before I could even close the bail! Mullet run is also on the bucket list!

Nope - unfortunately vacation had to end and we returned to the real world. I'll be back though!

I cruised around the Key West backcountry last week looking for permit and didn't even see one. Gotta add permit to my list of fish caught!

Interesting... and actually I think that would keep consistent with my point. For inshore, I think having more line on the spool is more advantageous than a higher breaking strength. Granted the Stella is slightly different in that regard but the max drag settings of the smaller spinning reels are more aligned with the breaking strengths of the lighter braids. With that said, my way isn't the only way. So for those who do it, why would you choose 30 lb for this application on a bass-sized spinning reel? What advantage does 30 give over 20?

Shrimp on popping cork, sea shad on a jig head, gulp mullet on a jighead, gold spoon, waking topwater plug

What he said. Why do folks worry about this? Yeah, it makes a small mess but it's easy to clean up and isn't permanent. Let's worry about the more important stuff, like providing a definitive answer on which $100 rod is THE best.

Since you want to fish topwaters with this rod, that removes fluorocarbon from the equation as far as I'm concerned. I'd go 30-40 lb braid. Straight braid for the grassy ponds, add a leader for the rocky rivers.

I do this with my Stradics in 2500 and 4000 size, so I'm sure the Stella would be just fine as long as you remember to rinse the reel after fishing in the salt. I agree that braid is the way to go but depending on your reel size and what you're fishing for, I don't think you need 30 lb as RW mentions. I got quite a few days of South Carolina inshore fishing under my belt and I've done just fine with 15 lb braid on my 2500 reels and 20 lb braid on my 4000s. To me the extra line capacity of the smaller braid is more useful than a higher test braid. My rigs have handled everything from reds, trout, flounder, blues, rays and small sharks, and truthfully speaking I find that the ability to handle those toothier species is more a function of your leader size than your main line.

Right, 4+ ounces over what would be considered the "typical" bass spinning reel (the 2500 size) Exceler. 4 oz by itself isn't much but it'll wear on you as you're making dozens, if not hundreds of casts in a day.

Just tie a good knot at the spool and stop worrying...

I think you're going to find the 4000 uncomfortable to throw for long periods of time given the reel weight.

I'm sure it wouldn't take much effort to find someone looking to sell a St Croix Avid for that price.

I've never been but looking at the map I sure see a lot of saltwater creeks. My vote is saltwater for the reds and trout

Look into Big Lazer and Flat Creek public fishing areas. Warning though that fishing these requires an additional stamp on top of your normal license.

If you're new to fishing and just figuring things out, start simple with mono. 8 lb on the spinning, 12-15 lb on the casting. As you get more comfortable with the techniques, presentations and casting motions, then you can explore the other line options.

Nope, absolutely no fun at all!

Truer words have never been spoken. And this is exactly the reason why the bass rods I brought with me stayed unused all week

Yes they are. This guy fell for a Z-man mag fluke-style bait in the ole' Electric Chicken color

Spent the week on HHI again and got out with my guide buddy, as I tend to do The wind made it tricky to get to the good tarpon spots so we chose Plan B, which was targeting schools of monster Jack Crevalles with surface presentations. I'd caught Jacks before but not like this. Someone really needs to explain to my why people look down on this fish. They roam in voracious packs, they eat both live bait and artificials, you can target them on light tackle, watching them eat is an adrenaline rush, and they fight like crazy. What's not to like? And it's much cheaper to target these guys than to fly halfway around the world to target Giant Trevally We went 3 for 4 after I pulled the hook on one of them. The big boy was 33 lbs, the other two were 24-25 lbs each. Not a bad consolation prize after the silver king didn't cooperate!

Eh, we're actually white and gold but I'll take it

I'm a Georgia Tech fan/alum so I typically have a strong negative reaction to all things red and black, but that's pretty friggin' sharp. I feel dirty for admitting that.

Isn't Raider looking to move west? I can't think of a single way this could go wrong!

The Slider head w/ green pumpkin Trick Worm salvaged my BR Road Trip @ Guntersville a few years back. Fishing was great the week before we showed, but cold weather and 20+ MPH winds pushed just for us. I really wanted to catch them power fishing but you can't be picky...

Ain't no swiping going on from me!

This looks like it was made to be your Tinder profile pic...:) But yeah, Columbia PFG shirts...