BassinLou

Awesome advice from everyone. Columbia sports has a small/medium pack that you clip on your waist. It holds a fair amount of tackle. On the sides it has netting/pouches to hold two water bottles. I have a water bottle on one side, and carry my digital scale on the other. I like to pack it light however I stay versatile. I carry one rod which allows me to fish in several ways. Keep your eyes open and keep aware at all times. Terrain can get "iffy" sometimes. I almost fell completely in an urban canal once when the entire face of the canal where I was standing collapsed. Also, keep an eye on wildlife. Gators, snakes, raccoons. Yes, racoons. They are curious creatures sometimes.

Nice fish Kristo!!! I am so happy for you. Your persistence is starting to pay off. Bring on the Largemouth.

I just ordered the same exact rod LTB 7' MHXF/11, this morning from the bargain room. With a price reduction like they posted I could not pass it up. Now I have a pretty good spread. Premier, rage, avid, and now LTB. I guess I am brand loyal.

Speechless... Awesome fish.

Awesome job landing and helping that beauty.

Frogs can be used a few ways. I just do very subtle twitches and series of pops every now and then. Like I mentioned in my last post. I am not that consistent in walking a frog so I use the technique that works for me. You spent good money on the hardware, keep at it.

Meathead jig. It looks meaty.

It's not that we do not want to answer you but this thread has been covered multiple times for the last month it seems. BrianinMD directed you to one of threads that continues to get replys.

You are such a good neighbor Piscicidal. I wish all my neighbors had back yards like that. Also, it very generous of you helping out Kristo the way you did.

X2 on the articles and videos, and practice lots and lots of practice.

Although I'm in South Fl, I appreciate the invite.

Piscicidal, is that your backyard? Sweet deal.

Thanks for the suggestion evrgladesbasser.

I apologize, I was off in my price range. Its more like $350. For the avid and Shimano stradic FJ.

Keep an eye out for those gulls. I fish at a park close to my house where gulls pass through every once and a while. Everytime I start jerkbaiting on the surface a gull appears out of no where and dives at my bait. I have to literally wait until I think he is far away enough to safely cast. Let me tell ya, he has to be pretty far away because their eye sight is amazing.

Watch out with your choice. Braid on the main will be fine, however use the FC as the leader. FC has more abrasion resistance than braid IMO. If you are fishing rivers, with all that running water you are more than likely going to get hung up several times. Once braid rubs up against rock its only a matter of time were a breakage will occur. Line breakage will occur on FC also but not to the same degree.

IMHO it would be helpful to have a working budget. You are going to receive a ton of replies from all price ranges and boatload of opinions. Give a range and it will narrow the field down for you. I will kick it off for you. You get a sweet Shimano Stradic Fj and a St Croix 7 ft Avid, I will lean toward MH for the applications you are doing however a Medium I think you can get buy with. That will set you back at least $285-$300. However the set up will be awesome and last you for years. The rod alone has a lifetime warranty.

Evrgladesbasser which area would you consider that has high banks and containment? The point you make is right on the money and critical to success right now in the glades IMO.

I would love to sneak out this afternoon, however the weather is worse today than it was yesterday, go figure. As far as fishing goes I am going out on Saturday. Unfortunately, I think Issac is dumping so much water that the glades water level will be really high. Does any one have any thoughts on that?

Let us know how you like that set up. What fluro did you end up using?

Suffix, power pro. You can't go wrong. I personally use Power Pro. Any of the braids you choose will bleed and fade over time. That has no bearing that its going bad. If you read the little booklets that some bring, it states that.

Power Pro 20lbs for the main and Fluro (take your pick of good brands) or yozuri hybrid leader. You cannot go wrong with this set up. Abrasion resistance will not be your problem. The knot you use to join the lines will be.

Experience plays an important role. In conjuction with that, a quality rod and the right fishing line will go long way. Always keep your eye on the line. Regardless of the line you use.

One rod at that price range... I would go with ST. Croix premier. If its going to be your go to rod for various applications I would get 7ft MH. It will fit inside your budget.

I wouldn't get worked up if you cannot walk a frog proficiently. I don't and I have caught close to two hundred bass in the last two yrs exclusively on frogs. I am not bringing up the number caught to show off but simply demonstrate that bass can be caught without necessarily "walking it".