Alex from GA

As well as catching lots of great bass you seem to have a good time. I envy you.

I did more than 90% of my fishing in the salt when I lived in So Cal. In fact a neighbor took me fishing around 6 yo to the Santa Monica pier to catch perch with cane poles and pieces of shrimp for bait. Later I went on livebait/party boats out of the various landings for bass, baracuda, bonita, yellowtail, halibut and rockfish. Then I graduated to private boats for albacore, white seabass and marlin. I had the full experience in fishing, salt and fresh, west coast to the gulf coast, the north west to Maine, Florida to Baja California.

Yes, gar are fun to catch and jump like a tarpon but they're tough to get unhooked especially with a rope lure.

I started kayak fishing in the early 2000s and, when there were a couple of kayak fishing websites locally, had a tough time finding anyone to fish with me. I only fished the local rivers and most of the people fished lakes mostly for stripers. The websites are long gone being replaced by facebook and I finally found a few hardy guys I fished with for many years.

If it's not too cold I wear a pair of the brown jersey gloves and have several pairs available because they get wet. I also have a pair of neoprene gloves that fold the thumb and index fingers. I also have a pair of electric hand warmers that Katie has. They work good with the jersey gloves.

I service my own reels but have bought parts from Kel's in Orlando, FL for Shimano and Diawa reels.

My worm rods are high end but didn't cost $600 because I put them together myself.

Plywood and carpet.

Yes, it's an acid and eventually eat what ever you apply it to.

Hopefully it's an easy repair. Good luck.

Do you have a fuse in the circuit?

You didn't have the luck I had. My trolling motor made it all the way back to the ramp Thursday after the engine wouldn't start on the way back, about a mile. Sorry for the bad luck. Mine's at the shop now.

You can also fold the thinner wire once or twice to make it the same size as the thicker one and use a butt splice.

If the boat's in the water I take a 4 gallon can, can't wrangle a 5 or 6 gallon anymore. If it's on the trailer a gas station is much easier.

You're cheating death too often. A fishing trip isn't worth it. Glad you're safe though.

Since waders don't have a fly, relieving yourself is a PIA with chest highs. I also have a pair of hip boots.

My 2nd largest bass was just under 24" and weighed 6-12, Florida bass

In addition did anyone think of more springier line.

When I see a bunch of fish on the locator and they won't bite a worm I always drop a spoon and usually hook up. Another use for a spoon is when a bust is beyond casting distance with a normal lure, bucktail or topwater, a spoon casts much further. Drop it a couple of feet and pump it back.

Stocking foot are more comfortable to walk in. Summer time I've always waded with a pair of long pants and wading shoes, if the water is warm enough. No natural fibers.

Keep it up. Medical issues are not fun.

Cudas at home and the scissors on my Leatherman in the boat and clippers for mono and fluorocarbon.

For bass fishing 15lb mono or fluoro. For ocean 50lb mono.

I also can't tie an FG with light leader, 8 or 10lb. I usually use 20lb leader in the salt and it ties fine.

Be very careful if you use a wire wheel, it can catch and throw the hook in your face. Don't ask how I know.