Darren.

That's a beauty! I've caught a pigeon mid-cast, but an owl going after a frog. Sweet.

Nile crocs, saltwater crocs, dang. Florida is not only the fishing capital of the world, but becoming the reptilian capital, too!

I have too many such stories. The pain is still too near... Probably the toughest was when I hooked what we guessed in the 8 pound range largie and it was just off the gunnel and my then 6 year old stretched with the net, almost had it but the bass did a tail dance and spit the hook at us as if in jest. "Just kidding dorks" We swear we heard laughing as it went back down to the depths.

As for the knot, if tied right it doesn't need any glue. That said, glue adds security to a properly tied knot.... I came across Zap-A-Gap green label (CA+) glue via a TV show. Might've been Jim Sammon's kayak fishing show - where he discussed using it for knots and such. Description on product page includes this: "and for fishing, fly line splicing and fly tying." Not cheap. I picked up a tiny 0.25oz bottle on Amazon, works well so far. Don't use it on every knot....

Sorry man, I didn't realize it was a joke. No harm meant.

She's a beautiful PB! Congratulations!

bel·lig·er·ent bəˈlijərənt/ adjective 1. hostile and aggressive.

I use yellow Power Pro on all my reels 10lb for spinning 20lb for casting I always tie a leader anywhere from 6-15 pound test, sometimes as low as 4 if I need to. Length is up to you, really. There are plenty of suggestions, but no hard-fast rule a leader must be "x" inches... You can run a 30 foot leader or 12 inches. Personally, I will tie on maybe one or two arm spans in length.

Tough to call the weight from pix, but a hearty congrats!!

Don't apologize for protecting your family/pets! I would do the same if the situation called for it. Otherwise I'd grab some snake tongs, bag it and take it to a game warden or to the middle of no- where to release it. For me it is more people who go out of their way to run over a snake, turtle, or any animal. Or who kill every living thing just because. I've seen too many knuckleheads swerve to pop a turtle or snake on local roads to make me sick. Knowing what is slithering around your property is half the battle. Properly identifying venomous versus non-venomous is good to know if you live in areas prone to snake populations. I'm sure you agree, as you know what you're looking at. I didn't mean to hijack the thread. I was sort of tongue-in-cheek about the whole thing, though I am a bit of a conservationist.

Hey Michael, welcome aboard!

I'm very disappointed in you guys. I go after snakes when I fish, and when I'm driving around. I love to rescue the road-crossers from folks like you Unless it is venomous - Cottonmouths/Moccasin. They are easier to identify because they're quite belligerent and put off by your presence. Flee from them. Now in Florida, there are a few more out to get you, so some leeway for y'all. Just remember, snakes keep our rodent population in check!!

Nice!

5lbs is the max I'd use. Dumbbells do the best for me. I mostly use my 7' AnchorPin as I fish a lot of shallow water. If I'm in open water, I use my trolling motor to keep in an area. Haven't actually brought my anchor with me in a while. If you fish shallow waters, consider picking up a retractible dog leash (26' at Harbor Freight for cheap).

Hey David, welcome aboard!

Hey Ben, welcome aboard!

Welcome aboard, Alec! I use 10lb braid on my spinning rigs and always use a leader. A 3000 size is a bit deeper of a spool, definitely put mono backing on it, maybe 50 yards or so just to save you some braid off the spool for another reel. I catch some pretty big bass on 1000 size reels all the time - it's what I use for bass fishing when using spinning gear.

Video didn't want to load, but I can only imagine what the crazy spectacle must've been like.

...it pours. Amazing how the Bait Monkey doesn't mind water, LOL

Perhaps after I win a lottery somewhere. Dang.