Darren.

Welcome aboard! You'll only know if you try it out There are no rules as to what you can put on a UL rod. Well, almost none...

Will do!

Welcome aboard! i think you're right to stick with spinning, easiest to get going in the sport. For a $125 combo, probably best to stick with the President and look for rods in the $75 range. So many good ones to choose from.

Do you NEED to upgrade from the Presidents? Not unless you have a compelling reason...and that's entirely your call. As for upgrades, I'm a Stradic user and now have one Pflueger Supreme (haven't fished it yet, bad back). I don't consider it an upgrade to my Stradics, but an addition to my spinning reels. Shimano, Daiwa, Pflueger, Okuma, all make good reels. Best way to find out what feels right in your hands is to go to a Bass Pro, Cabelas, etc., and try as many as you can on the rods you're considering. See how they feel in your hands, balance, the way they wind, etc.

Welcome aboard!

Spinning 90/10 probably...

Welcome aboard! You can run 30 on a baitcaster just fine, and for most anything you want to throw. I always use a leader, but that's me, and others will hail mono for topwater....

Welcome aboard!

Welcome aboard!

Welcome aboard!

Welcome aboard!

Welcome aboard!

Welcome aboard!

I don't know the "rules" for a co-angler, but why not throw the Ned? Give the fish something no one else is showing Are you allowed only one rod? I'd have DS on the second if allowed.

I honestly doubt any of us here would have been able to fight off a 23' python. Unbelievable muscle, recurved teeth, and constriction are only the beginning. If it hit our heads first, it'd be tough to fight unless we had senses about us, a sharp machete, and maybe a gun. Even then, it'd happen so quick....hard to imagine.

Yeah, I came across still pix of the situation. Awful, imo. Glad I haven't seen the vids. But I knew it was real from the pix...because...when one of my snakes vomits up a rat or mouse, it has the same "look"... Snake peeps will know what I mean.

Always a new hobby waiting for us fishermen. Alligator wrangler has a lovely ring to it, eh?

Having money on the line probably makes it a dozen times worse.

If they migrate northeast, so do the pythons Yippe ki yay

Welcome aboard, Kaleb! Lots of Indiana bassers here. They'll chime in soon.

Been there a few times...happens. Stay at it and let the memory fade.

I understand why some want it/are used to it. They learned it at some point. I never "got it" and simply have always preferred to use the drag. And today's reels, at least the ones I've used, have excellent drags.

I hope it never happens, but with animals disappearing from back yards, an unattended little one would be a target.

There's actually an article this week, need to find it, in which scientists are finding more animals are becoming nocturnal to avoid humans. But methinks we're seeing a nefarious plan afoot. https://www.nbcnews.com/science/environment/human-activity-forces-animals-nocturnal-lifestyle-research-shows-n883606

Well done!