NYWayfarer

Yes, and that's the reason I swapped them out for the ones you see on it now, Eagle Claws Laser Sharp red barbed trebles. I had a Smallmouth leap and shake the barbless ones...

Don't count out the Sunfish pattern crankbaits and surface fishing them. One of the main forage in the rivers I fish is Redbreast Sunfish. I fish this Rebel Bluegill crank quite often by casting it out, waiting for it to float then cranking it a couple of turns, stopping and letting it surface. This Smallmouth smashed it on that type of retrieve.

Master is a strong word. I became comfortable with my baitcasting skills last year. This year I have had a few trips where I took only a baitcasting set up. That's something I would have never done years ago for fear of a bad backlash ending my day.

https://www.columbia.com/mens-front-pocket-magnetic-wallet-HUM160.html I have a different version of Columbia's front pocket wallet. Doesn't have the ID pocket or the magnetic money clip. It has a regular one. My dad does the same thing for the same reason. He used to work in some rough areas in New York.

My buddy who lives in Florida scouted the area today. He caught a Jack Crevalle, Puffer, some kind of Grunt and a Snook. All on live shrimp. He picked up some Super Flukes and DOA Shrimp for our trip to the same spot. Thanks for the help guys. I can't wait to go.

It was one of those puff your chest out and smirk moments.

I have the Mach 1 combo and I can bomb a Whopper Plopper with 2 pins on, 2 off and the external brake set somewhere in the middle. Some kayakers were in the middle of the river I was fishing and were joking, "look there's a guy fishing, don't worry he can't hit us from there." I laughed and said I can but I won't, I'll cast it a yard in front of you to prove it. I did and they were amazed. Also caught a Smallie on the retrieve back to amaze them again.

I fish out of a sit-in kayak and I find that a 7' rod is too long for the same reasons you give. I had similar problems that cleared up the same way it did for your brother in law when I started using shorter rods.

The lesson to take away from this statement is never pay full price for a reel. Even Kastking runs 10-20% off deals combined with ebay coupons make them practically a steal. My KK Speed Demon cost me $35 shipped and is still one of my go to baitcasters.

I am one of those guys and I am the first to admit, I have a problem...

I use the self checkout lines to avoid all that nonsense. My local Walmart's have self checkouts for less than 20 items and ones for unlimited items.

@davecon Thanks for the info. I have a couple of 3000 size spinning reels I will bring on the trip as well as a baitcaster. I will be sure to check out the video.

I agree. There might be pockets or drop offs you can reach from shore with a good baitcaster.

Still no word from the OP on what "budget" means to him. To me it is something in the sub-$50 range. If that's what I had to spend I would get a Kastking Spartacus. This reel and the Kastking Stealth are what brought me back to baitcasting.

Sage advice here. I suggest a 3" Yum Dinger wacky rigged on a 1 or 1/0 finesse wide gap hook on 6# mono. Cast it out and count how long it takes to hit bottom. When it does lift the rod and let it fall again. Repeat until it's back to shore. If you go the Ultralight rod method pick up a pack of Berkley atomic tubes. Panfish, Perch and small Bass love them. Cast them out and give them a twitch or two as they sink. These lures are pond and canal magic. These two fish were caught by me last week in upstate NY in the Glens Falls area on the grasshopper color tube.

The middle 2 reels are the Walmart exclusive Mark Rose baitcaster $55 brand new. I got mine on clearance for $35 The bottom reel is also a Lew's. I can tell by the distinctive paddle knob shape. The middle rod is an Abu Garcia Vengeance $50 brand new.

Throw another vote in for Berkley from me. I have success with their Squarebulls. Love the fusion hooks on their hardbaits.

We are definitely hitting the flats. My friend did mention the possibility of reds and trout. I am as excited to get a red as I am a Snook so it's all good.

I can vouch for the Kastking Perigee II rods. I have both the spinning and casting versions. With the twin tips they are the best value 2 piece rods out there. Bonus is they look and perform fantastic.

Melbourne Beach

I have a trip planned for Florida during Snook season. It's a fish I have always wanted to catch but I have never found the time to go on past Florida trips. Anyone have any tips for catching Snook inshore fishing? I will be doing some research on it before I go but I always like to ask experienced anglers. Could I use my Bass gear for Snook? Size 2000 reel with 20# braid or 3000 reel with 30# braid on a Med/Heavy rod? Do Snook require a mono leader or will straight braid work?

Green Pumpkin is my go to color. I feel your pain though as most people on these forums swear by watermelon colored baits and I have not been able to get them to work for me.

I watched that same vid and $40 for the Ultramax mounted on a Abu Garcia Vengeance rod is a fantastic deal. Like you said the rod alone is worth more than that.

Wet feet come with the territory. I wear Crocs in my kayak to launch until late October. After launching I dry my feet with a towel then put on a pair of warm socks. Being in a sit-in kayak I have not had a significant amount of water getting in to get them wet. For pants I wear Under Armour's Storm Armour Fleece Pants. they keep me warm and dry as water beads up and rolls right off them.

I go through a lot of plastics. It has made me really re-think the true value of a hardbait. I have caught dozens of fish on the same Whopper Plopper, it's worth it's weight in gold compare to a bag of plastics. I do try and repurpose my plastics as much as possible. Half a stickbait becomes a Ned rig, etc.