68camaro

It's on my calendar, first time going. I pretty much stopped going to gun shows so hope the fishing expo has more "substance" than gunshows of last few years.

I use mono for cranks, since I am still new most everything I read said mono.

No its a baitcaster, and no boat.

Silly sounding question but I went to use my rod with SpiderWire Ultimate Mono 12lb line to throw poppers, but when I cast the line, it looked like a slinky? I literally could not straighten it out. When I took the line off the spool all the line just kinda of "slinkied" or coiled in coils the size of the spool. The line is only about 30 days old? Is this normal?

Selection is very very slim, not sure I'd take trip down from your area unless coming anyway.

Previously I was using a G Loomis e6x 843 CBR for crank and jerkbaits, it is a medium power with mod-fast action. This is great with cranks but fir jerks wanted a faster action tip. I recently got a Dobyns 634CB med-moderate power with fast action to use as dedicated Jerkbait rod. I paired this up with a very light Lews Team Lews Speed Spool in 6.8:1. The weight of the whole setup is very very light and the fast action really allows me to work jerk baits with very little movement. After letting bait hoover for a bit, I like to tap rod to make lure vibrate just a hair, hoping to mimic final moments of dying bait. I use both above for topwaters, although for Megabass poppers Dobyns 634 works a better.

Recently I received a Dobyns 634CB to be used for jerkbaits. I only shore fish so smaller length allows me to work bait without hitting water or bushes I am usually surrounded by. The rod is great, very sensitive with goid power. Paired it with a Lews Tean Lite 6.3:1 reel. Casts great for a shorter rod. The mod-med tip really works the jerkbaits and top waters nicely. Very happy with purchase.

Stopped by yesterday and picked up a few things. Selection pretty small but great prices if he has what you need....or want.

I have really mucky bottom as well with weeds to boot. I use most of what others have said, include t-rig worms, swimming jigs, jerks, chatter baits, cranks, toppers of all sorts. Because my ponds are shallow when I use trebles hooks I find I need to keep rod tip high to keep hooks from getting snagged, as bait gets closer to me I drop tip a bit with it. Treble hooks are frustrating though because amount od debris they snag. 0-2" floating jerk baits, spinnerbaits and topwater baits are my most productive right now. Last Tuesday late afternoon had great outing, today stunk....go figure.

Interesting thread, I am shore guy that went out with two different guides over weekend on their bass boats. One bass boat had walk-around decking and it was very convenient, the other had a center console but you had to step down then up to get from front to back, it was less convenient but in all reality not too bad. I didn't realize what I was missing. My local areas are too small for a motorized bass boat but kayak or canoe may be in the offering.

Great, just added to shopping list. thanks.

Congrats, great fish, cool boat set up as well.

This thread brought out a lot of good ideas, thanks all. I did get two half days on Lake Toho this weekend with guides. Caught a bunch of fish and saw some gators.

I only bank fish and never weigh either. I also only measure if I think they are 15-18 inches or over. When I measure its quick pic next to rod and I measure spot on rod when I get home. In the pic I also mark sure end of lip is next to something noticeable on rod like a letter, color, emblem, word etc... I never have lost a fish yet,

For my first expensive rod I picked one for the technigue I most enjoyed and did the most. For me this was a crankbait rod and the medium-mod action really helped pin the fish and I actually was losing fewer since the flex of rod kept hook in place and fish could not shake it off. I am new at this but I did notice the benefit of matching a rod for the technique. My next rod was for frogs and the extra-fast action really help work the bait and the strong power gets the fish out of the thick stuff without a problem. All in all, its been a fun experience learning and trying different things.

SFLBasshunter, great ideas thanks. Last week I was armed, this weekend I flew so no carry gun. I really like rocks in pocket and long stick idea, plus uber viligence of surroundings. Being from VA I am comfortable around snakes as I have had to be careful around them for long time. It's just those d**n gators I wasn't used to I have guide later today and looks like I have one in morning so I am really excited about the fishing. I wish I had my gear with me but oh well.

I am back in Orlando this weekend and I hired a guide for tomorrow afternoon on Lake Toho. i plan to buy a small travel setup tomorrow and hit some small ponds in morning. I'll be more comfortable fishing with info given here. Sunday I may do a guided trip on lake Okeechobee if I can get back to Orlando in time.

Is that for real? I mean $12k!

Late yesterday afternoon to early evening caught 4 on Smithwick Rattlin Roague baby bass Jerkbait. Just bought new jerkbait rod, one of my favorite ways to fish also. I started with a 2'-4' suspending lure and caught nothing, swithched to a 0-2' floating bait and game was on. Had a several misses also.

Dang, I am out of town and won't be back for a week. Hopefully he has stuff left.

Took my new Dobyns 634CB jerkbait rod to pond today to try out for first real time. For past 7-10 days fishing has been very slow. Yesterday it rained all day and cold front came in. Todays was in 60's and I spent 3 hours fishing and caught 5 LMB, lost 2 and had several nice strikes. I caught one on a T-rigged finesse setup, the other 4 were caught on the Dobyns with a Smithwick Floating Rattlin Rogue in baby bass coloring. The last two were 2+ pounders caught in same area just a couple feet off shore only about 10' off to me left. Gotta say the Dobyns is a great rod and the shorter length really gave me extra room for casting while fishing from shore.

Dave, I apologize if I offended you. You and others were helpful and I planned to take your advice. I did a search on gator attacks only because I found the topic eerily fascinating, not because I doubted people who live there.

Thanks all. I guess I worry about them stalking and charging. Fact is gator attacks, albeit rare, do happen and people have been attacked and killed close to or in shallow water per Wikipedia List of fatal gator attacks in US. Just like sharks in Atlantic, they are their and do attack but very rare. If I go back I'll just be uber cautious. Doubtful, very doubtful:)

Actually this is serious question. I live in VA but was visiting a resort in central FL over weekend, they had a few ponds with manicured banks, but also had a couple secluded ponds with tall and matted grass around them. At the secluded pods I was afraid to get too close to waters edge because of alligator risk, so I cast from about 15' from water. I was with 12 yo daughter also who I had stay near jeep. Because of concerns I didn't stay long at all. When shore fishing ponds in Florida, how do you avoid 'gators? If you can stop laughing long enough tho answer I'd appreciate it:)

Wow, that's a twofer', one against your wife and bonus points for bringing her family into argument, esp. her ma'. Best way to extend an argument is bring her family into it.