Darren.

Welcome aboard! Sounds like you need a vacation to Lake Baccarac. There's a few here on the boards who have been and have had amazing guided trips. I'm not one of them, sadly. But perhaps one day. As for your water, I have to agree with @Bluebasser86 regarding whether there are bass there. And what kind of techniques are you using?

Welcome aboard! Since this is your first post, I'd suggest you do a forum search as this topic comes up often. There are lots of answers in the other threads. A couple of reads for you:

Sorry to hear, RIP, and comfort to his family.

Welcome aboard, Chris!

Welcome aboard!

Welcome aboard! The bottom line is you can use spinning gear for every technique in bass fishing. Casting? Close, there are some who only use casting gear, and there are some amazing YouTube vids out of Japan with guys skipping baits like they were using spinning gear. A great response to this question is from Tom Rowland of Saltwater Experience. https://www.saltwaterexperience.com/blog/2014/12/2/spinning-vs-baitcaster

Welcome aboard!

Happy times! Congrats!

Gotta admit, this has been an issue for me as I've aged. I usually have a pair of reading glasses on my head when I'm out now, so I can see the scale, and the hook eye when tying one on. Getting older is a pain...

The article I cited from the Sun-Sentinel probably didn't have complete information of exactly what was released during Andrew. Typically, breeders that do Boa Constrictors also do Pythons because of their popularity. So I'd guess there were Burmese there, as your article suggests given the sudden "boom" in population thereafter. What I'd be all about is if there was a boom in Ball Pythons. Breeders make some amazing genetic variations that can cost upwards of $100k. Ball Pythons are also some of the best snakes for pets as they are so docile.

I, too, use a 15# Boga and love it. Fantastic gripper, extremely well made, very accurate, to boot. Can get it certified by IGFA, too for a fee. The float is an absolute necessity. Can find them on Amazon for cheap. Got one on mine. Good to know. I was wondering this just in case I land a fish over 15# since I have ventured into saltwater. Chances of landing a good size striper are pretty good. A 30# is out of the question for me, cost-wise...for now.

I wouldn't fear "the one" with spinning gear. Fully confident in my setups to handle any bass in freshwater, and that with 1000 size Stradics. No worries for me As for using casting to drop, sure! I bought a 6'6" ML BPS Carbonlite casting rod to pair with my Chronarch 50e, which is tuned up with ABEC7 bearings, etc. That setup can cast some "weightless" baits. I was even able to cast a Zoom Tiny Fluke - weightless. Yeah, didn't go far, but in my experimenting, it worked w/o backlash. Issue with casting is pendulum swinging if you're casting out a drop shot rather than dropping off the side of the boat. The way to sort of compensate is to pull out line right after you stop the bait (thumb) while it drops. For spinning advantages, wind is another. And I know how to cast in the wind with casting gear. I do not believe casting gear is better than spinning. I don't buy that argument any more and I set out a few years ago to go ALL casting, which is why I bought the ML and two Chronarch 50e reels. If you want to use casting gear, go for it.

Welcome aboard, Bill! Very nice bass in your pic.

Can't speak for the BGs or NASCIIs but I have had Daiwa spinning reels (Lexa) and they're quite nice all around. Many here love the BG. I personally use the Stradic line. Not sure the one you're referring to, but $150 is a good price. Current Stradics are the CI4+ and FK series (less $ than the CI4+). I just bought a Pflueger Supreme from @MassYak85 and it feels very solid, smooth in practice casting thus far. Is also saltwater approved, which for me is important.

All thanks to a hurricane Andrew (well, not entirely true, but the Sun-Sentinel reported iguanas, baboons, boa constrictors were on the loose then, tho not pythons specifically). The Pythons were likely from many causes including hurricanes, owners who could no longer care for large snake, knuckleheads thinking it would be ok to release them in the everglades, etc. HEY, the baboons might explain the Skunk Ape thingy in FL! Conspiracy theorists...discuss.

From my kayak, the most I take will be 4. I just find that too many becomes an exercise in frustration and language I usually don't employ. Especially if it is windy. I've taken more than 4, but prefer "less is more" and a KISS approach. Probably take more if I had a boat with a deck. Frequently I take 3, sometimes just 2. All spinning except for one (have two rods for my Chronarch, a MH and ML rod, depending on what I want to accomplish).

That's a big maybe. Deep in the Everglades, these may survive quite nicely. My brother and I would love to do some snake hunting, though we don't kill 'em. We've oft talked about joining the hunts in FL.

If you are going with a straight fluoro, try to use one of the more limp varieties out there. Usually that means more $. I'm thinking of Tatsu, Sunline, etc. And I'd use around 5 or 6 pound test. Of course I'm in the braid+leader camp and probably will be forever . Once you learn a good leader knot, and get good at tying it, it's all good from there. I have 100% confidence in my leader knot (uni-to-uni #1, and Modified Albright/Alberto #2). Combined with a properly set drag and a proper rod for your technique, you should never have a problem with a well-tied leader connection.

That's awesome! Congrats to him!

Can't help with your question, but I can welcome you aboard, Jake!

Congrats! Looks like a pretty chunky smallie!

This would explain some seasons I've experienced here in VA. No beds where there are always beds, suddenly fry balls....

Had to do this tonight when testing a "new/used" reel. Put time into attempting to pull a wind know out, but ended up snapping the line. Actually heard the "event" happening when casting in back yard. Resolved now, but your point is spot on. If can't unknot it, break it.

Well said!! LOL

There's no reason not to try it out. But I would agree that spinning reels are more versatile. My own experience bears that out. But the right casting rig can do many things well.