SirSnookalot

Nothing wrong with the improved clinch knot and braid, making a second wrap on the final step will prevent the tag end from pulling thru. I have caught hundreds of tarpon, snook and jacks using 15 or 20# and never a problem, provided I tied the knot right. I saw this tip demonstrated on TV by Henry Waszcuk, boy was he ever right.

For a younger person I would start them off bass fishing with plastic worm. I would not take them to the ocean.

I went to school with the intention of being an attorney, I opted not to attend law school, worst mistake of my life. Did real estate for about 5 years, held my own but never really enjoyed it. I listed a home owned by a scrap metal dealer, we became very close friends and he influenced me to got to work for him, best decision I ever made. Worked for him 2 years then started my own operation that spanned 30 years, been retired 12 years. As much as I loved my business looking back wish I had gone to law school.

Law school is not a requirement in a few states, may save some expense but doesn't make it any easier. There are many law grads that never sit for the bar, that degree can up opportunities. Besides the scores of friends I have that are attorneys, quite a few family members. Most of them to my knowledge specialize, corporate, tax, sports & entertainment, wills & estates and general law. Not unusual for an attorney never to step in to a court room. In England they are solicitors and barristers which are the trial attorneys. My son in law specializes in civil rights cases, some of it is pro bono.

Cool !

There is no guarantee of making $140 everyday and even if one did that's only $35,000 a year. Quite true the market is in a trading range now but that is not always the case. People that day trade for a living are not sitting at the lake, they are in front of a bank of monitors. They do their homework every night prepared for the next day. Day trading in lieu of a career, no benefits, healthcare or pension plan. My boat partner is day trader, a retired stock broker he has grasp on what's going on. Day trading like gambling can become addictive, in the long run a person without market experience is going to lose.

Last night I watched the Frank Sinatra documentary on HBO, having my memory refreshed all I can say is WOW.

There are certain times of the year when I can catch some pretty hefty fish almost everyday, right they are not bass. I personally would not spend hours to catch 1 specific fish. I do fish for bass nearly every day too, I do it because I enjoy it and it gives me pleasure. For me it's the strike and the fight, the species is irrelevant. There is no scale or goal except to have fun. Don't think for second I'm cavalier, when I'm out there I'm intense and focused.

If the reason to attend college is purely motivated by the desire to be a pro fisherman, that argument is unconvincing to me. I am a strong advocate of a college education for a plethora of reasons that have been extensively discussed. I'm just as strong not to attend if one has no desire or not being college material. There are just too many stories of success and failure to make blanket statements whether to attend or not. It always boils down to the individual. I keep reading marketing, I don't really understand that. Manufacturers market and promote the products they make. An athlete or celebrity may endorse those products for compensation, in my mind that's a commercial not marketing. The we read about seminars, all the education in the world does not guarantee a person is a gifted speaker. Some people are naturals, others learn it in time and some will never be able to do it. I would put a TV host into that group, just because they can catch fish doesn't mean they have the personality to be on camera. Debt has been widely expressed, one thing that's almost for sure is that we all have it or started off with it. Being in business I look at fishing the same way, whether it be tournament, commercial, charter and guides. Any business needs capital to start, business people mortgage their homes too chasing their dream. The investment is relative to the occupation, since we are talking tournament fishing that's basically a 1 person business. A non business person may not understand the advantages of debt service, lines of credit, etc., a CPA could explain that better than me. Fishing for a living is like any other business, it's gamble and one has to be willing to take a chance.

I agree with all of the above.

So nice to have Google.

Quite often work ethic as well as the career path stems from home life, as the saying goes an acorn doesn't fall from the tree. I know many people that became doctors, lawyers or cpas because it's in the family, same goes for sales or people that go into business. Of course there are many exceptions, that said I'll forgo my career as it has nothing to do with question of needing college to become a pro fisherman. I would not suggest this degree or that degree, nor a career. I would suggest that it be discussed with parents and school counselor. All one has to do is fish to be a pro, if successful the accolades, endorsements, sponsors. etc. will come. It does help to have a camera friendly face and communicate well, but it isn't mandatory. A pro wins a tournament, the sponsors advertise the fact a certain lure was used, the next day a bunch of gullible amateurs start feeding the bait monkey. Has the pro really marketed that lure? There have numerous mentions for the need of startup capital, that can be said for just about any business. I may add just like a fisherman a business needs time to grow before it's profitable.

You must be reading my posts

News travel lightening fast when the bite is on at the inlet. One of my buddies started a face book page, I'm not excited about it because it will bring a lot of people there. It's public and it's free (many piers, jetties and beaches charge), the pressure is no big deal. When the fish are running everyone is catching, but it gets crowded. Over the last year or so I have been going less, preferring some other options.

I was turned on to those self help gurus by a person that was very influential in my life. Did some of the EST seminars with Werner Erhard. Dr. Ruth BTW was sniper in Israel, considered a crack shot but she said she never killed anyone. As deep thinking and analytical (anal being the root) as I was I'm simple minded now, lol. All I do is fish and do it the easiest way I can, I like to make it pleasure not work.

A requirement, no. All that is needed is to know how to fish and be able to sustain yourself until you start making money. That need applies to any business. I'm of the ilk that college is for an education, not basic training to become a professional fisherman, unless there is a draft like football where you can get signing bonus for millions of dollars. Success if defined as financial stability, is attainable with our without a degree, which is always up to the individual. Catt is right, companies market and top fisherman merely endorse products.

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Old is what you hope to be one day, only an old person would understand that.

A chicken rig is probably the fore runner of a drop shot rig. It has been used in saltwater for decades, primarily used with cut bait like squid or shrimp. A sabiki is pretty much the same thing too, it's used to catch live bait.

I like a t knob, if the saros 3000 has the same septon knob as my stradics the grip is excellent. It can wear out, I've replaced them on each of my stradics, I don't find that to be a negative issue. I've had quite a few bail troubles on a number of Shimano reels, a decent reel so just a matter of repairing them. The Pfluegers have a paddle style knob, they go get slick and I have replaced them on all 3 of mine 2 times so far. The handle on either reel does not affect performance, it's about comfort for me. If I were to make a choice, it would be the one I could get the best deal on.

I met a fellow a few days ago that is originally from Davie, now living in my area. Told me one of his go to spots is Griffin and Flamingo, tarpon and snook as well as peacocks. He does a lot fly fishing. I've been to those areas, don't do it often being a little far for me.

That would be a decision each guide or charter would make on their own. Charter captains and guides may have more fear from their competition than fishermen. From my own personal charter/guide experience I fished areas that were not local to me. The issue on this thread is more personalized, I'm more concerned about the quality of the person. I'll size up the the person, some are cool, others I just know better. A good fisherman does not need your honey hole, he/she can find their own.

They make good pets. http://www.wfla.com/story/28859690/hillsborough-teen-bitten-in-face-by-water-moccasion-snake

I struck out this morning, no snook or tarpon in the area. I had 2 cuda followers, they hit another tube. 1 cuda got cut off in the pylons, the other just broke the line, both were had by the most experienced cuda fisherman. Some times they are just tuff to land.

I own tons of different brands and styles of top water lures, when it comes to catching fish I don't think there is much difference. My favorite is a chug bug 3/8 oz for bass and peacocks and the 1 oz for saltwater. A mirrorlure papadog is another of my most used.