F14A-B

I'm all in, I love poker.

Hello & Welcome Aboard! Enjoy the Forums.

Sweet! Now, you must add a room for the rod & reel monkey, brother of the bait monkey!

I might argue, it's more like Inspector Clouseau.

Spinning or Casting?

Lol.. Benny Hill huh? Lmao! Oh lord ...

Next....

It might depend on what rod you put it on as well, all things equal, probably a New Tat.. However, keep a eye out on the Fishing Flea Market here, I have recently seen a few, very good deals on several shimano reels. Shimano has better ergos than the tat, the tat might be bothersome for you. Ideally if you have access to this equipment it would be worth a drive to see, touch, feel kinda thing.

Cork, full length, I really am not fond of split grips, except my loomis rods do it better than any rod co. At least for me, I do like a hi density eva, full length. However it's a distant 2nd for me.

Well now, good thing he has you for a friend!

I can tell you shimano reels are made for the long haul.. No shortage of this well know fact, I do use the " I " and I like them just fine, I don't hear much on okuma reels of past years being around much. I tried a couple Trio spinning, wasn't impressed. I vote for the curado,it's new, but it's going to hold up for years.

I've had a half dozen rods, various rod company's that have had the upper sections.. Primarily 8" to 12" areas that were/ did , suffer from salt/ brackish fishing, (Salt )clear coat damage, as well as a bit of damage ( clear epoxy) on a couple guides... It did not hurt the rod, however, 3 of those rods tip areas did break. Only after 10 years of use, though... Again, long life on great rods, and great warranty from St. Croix ( lifetime ) on avid.. That's my experience only, you can't keep your rods rinsed off till the days fishing is done, there is bound to be some degradation over the long haul. That's pretty much all rods in that environment.

Great fish AJ, what rig were you throwing with? Calcutta & lamiglas ? Cool vid!

I'm considering this reel line, (2500) any of you guys used the 2014 model? What is your experience?, thoughts on these reels? Looks good on paper, but that doesn't always translate to the end product.

Swimming Hornets/ Superflukes = Fun Fishing, to be sure. I use those on Cumberland & in Fl. 3/4 Chartruse heads & 5/0 Gammys.. They come in different sizes as well.

X4

The locked thread elite tech.

To the OP, I would skip cotton altogether, wool is the way to go, just ensure to obtain a high quality wool sock, woolrich is my fave. Wool offers heat retaining insulation even if damp/wet... Cotton does not. I used pantyhose in the 70's to run walker, bluetick, & redbone coon dogs, they work well.. ( geez, did I really admit that ) stay safe!

Welcome & Enjoy the Forums!

Golden Shiners in Florida is too much fun! I simply love it. Big topwaters in Florida are also a great joy, around here probably sauger, big flatheads in the Ohio river, I love to fish, I go after what's available, I'm not a Bass Snob, lol.. I do love it though.

St. Croix... American Rod Co. Made in America, I believe it's a wise investment in a rod. It will get you years down the road, easily.. Whatever you decide though, I hope you enjoy it!

Beachy will probably be running farm implements and may not have time to fish, lol...( in 10 yrs.) Nice fish young fella!

It took me longer to post than to read it! LOL!

Providing $50, sweet!

Super healthy jig fish! Nice work!