Rwb1500

I fish 9 foot rods seated from a kayak. For me I feel like you need the length for the sake of your casting stroke. I guess that only applies if you're fishing big water and need to make long casts. When seated you lose some of the body mechanics involved with casting. You can still cast very well from a seated position but if definitely takes some practice. I feel like a shorter rod would hamper my ability to get a cast out as far as I might like. That being said if you're fishing structure on the bank for largemouth or mangroves in saltwater and you're close a shorter rod might be an advantage.

The differences are negligible if you ask me. I went with a Spheros, it's been going strong for a year. If I had to buy another reel today I'd buy another Spheros. I have a 6k, would love to get an 8k as well.

Not everywhere in Jersey has this problem, however you tend to get the largest concentration of anglers around the largest concentration of fish. (Or at least the best fish holding structure). Down south I can go all day and maybe see another few anglers in the fall or spring. At night it's an absolute ghost town. However most of the time the fishing isn't as good.

If you're set on an inflatable this is the way to go. A Bote Rover Aero would fit the bill and accepts an outboard or electric motor if you're so inclined. Just be aware that they will be a large, heavy package to fly with and transport. They really are very nice little boats though. Inflatables have come a long way.

I believe Fenwick announced revamping their current product lineup at Icast. As far as I can tell it was a lot of cosmetic changes to make their lineup more cohesive looking. Maybe this ad is just hyping that? Maybe not? Would be nice to see Fenwick relevant again.

As long as you use a plastic bead that doesn't have sharp edges. I use a Carolina rig in the surf a lot in particular places and always use a bead. Never had an issue.

I'm not a huge fan of wading boots. Not to say I don't wear boots when I wade, just that the offerings from most manufacturers fall a bit short in my opinion ESPECIALLY for the price. What are boots for? Grip, ankle support, protecting your feet, arch support maybe. In my opinion companies that make waders don't make boots because they're good at it, they make boots because they fill a need, and people will pay $200+ for them. So I buy boots that aren't designed for wading and put drain holes in them and studs if need be. Usually I buy boots on Ebay because good boots are something people often buy and don't use much. I've gotten some killer deals on Asolo and LaSportiva boots this way. (Those don't go in the water though lol). This is the pair I've been using in saltwater recently. North Face fast packing boots. Nice stiff shank, sticky rubber, plenty of tread and foot bed so I'm not getting poked by the Kold Kutters screwed into the soles. I just think wading boots should be good walking boots, since that's what you do in them typically. Ymmv. This whole set up cost me like $40, boots and studs plus a little labor on my end. I've had a pair of Simms G3 boots. They cost 7 or 8 times more money and were less comfortable and more clunky. You could make the case that wading specific boots are designed to be underwater and will last longer in such an environment. I couldn't give you any scientific evidence that supports that one way or the other but I do know that the marketing department at Simms has to work awful hard to sell boots that cost so much. In my younger days when I couldn't afford wading boots period I bought a pair of hikers from Wal-Mart and they are still in my garage right now. The soles are pretty smooth but aside from that they're perfectly serviceable.

This is great advice on a budget, which I certainly understand. If you think you'll be dunking reels regularly you only have a few options; 1. Get a VS. Buy once, cry once, etc 2. Go the greasy Penn route. 3. Ruin reels on a semi-regular basis. I dunk a reel about once a year, so a good rinse and I'm fine. I also have an aversion to being in water over my waist in the dark, call me a sissy, that's just me.

I like the forked tails but I'm pretty sure bass don't analyze the trailer as much as we do.

The hook pictured isn't the Surface Seducer branded hook. The hook size reccomended seemed a little too big. Either lots of shank behind the popper or too much protruding eye or both lol.

I think you'll like it. I have a ten weight XS and it's a canon with the right line. Really enjoy casting it too.

I like the Double Barrel poppers. Granted I use them for smallmouth and not saltwater. I ended up using the Surface Seducer branded popper hooks on the size recommended on the packaging and really didn't like them at all lol. Maybe avoid those.

Spinning or casting? Or doesn't matter?

But to answer your question more generally you can use the finer sides of the stones on the Spyderco Sharpmaker. There's some great info about it on the Spyderco forum. I use a serrated H1 Ladybug daily, touch it up every other week or so.

Fred Perrin's Covert Military Bowie and Le Petite Bowie.