[Frank_Mistretta]

This reef is a little more east of above mentioned coordinates. Not quite due south of lake road but close.

30° 15.281’N, 89° 57.524’W is close, I’ll verify coordinates soon…..there are currently markers with ribbon flagging all around the reef. The reef is in 7-8′ of water.

[Frank_Mistretta]

If you want the Vance JPL9650 like from this link (https://www.vancemfg.com/vance-jpl9650-gen-3-6-setback-kick-up-plate/), I have one that I will sell. I purchased it, mounted it on my gator trax but then switched over to a hydraulic jack plate. I ran it one time on my boat. Not that anything is wrong with it, I just needed more height from a jackplate. I’m located in Mandeville if that’s close to where you live.

[Frank_Mistretta]

I was confronted, I had only been there a short time and put 2 reds and a bass in the boat. It was a security guard. I was just surprised because I fished it 1-2 times each winter over the past 3 years. Typically I put some fish in the boat from there; including trout, bass and reds. I’ve also seen other boats in the area before.

[Frank_Mistretta]

Try the fine grip (fg) knot.

I mainly use 15 or 20 lb braid and 10-17 lb leaders. My leaders usually start off 3’-5’ long. When I break off it’s almost always at the jighead / hook.

[Frank_Mistretta]

Oh by the way, since you mentioned Penn battle, I did see that west marine has Penn battle combos for BOGO 50% on 2nd combo…I’m not sure if that’s an overall good deal from west marine

[Frank_Mistretta]

Since you said you were interested in a couple rods/reel setups, I would say it depends on your usage/technique, which means you may buy different setups for each technique. If you’re throwing a cork or live shrimp/bait then I would put more preference on the reel; mainly something that will last in Salt water usage and you can get by with cheaper rods.

I feel like even crankbait and jerkbaits can get by with cheaper rods because the lure usually has treble hooks and you will typically feel the fish bite.

However If you’re getting into jigging or Texas rigging, then I put more preference on the rod (like high modulus graphites) even if that meant waiting for Black Friday or looking at used rods.

[Frank_Mistretta]

Shimano aldebaran is the lightest production reel I could find. It’s either size 50 or 70. Weighs about 3.5oz…I have two combos weighing a total of 7oz with rod, reel and line.

[Frank_Mistretta]

just to confirm we’re talking about the same thing; I believe the new reef (goose point reef) is just to the east of the coordinates listed above, by maybe a couple hundred yards, like in my attached photo. I went out this past saturday to mess with my electronics (just installed forward facing sonar and wanted to test it and adjust settings) and I went to find this new reef.

[Frank_Mistretta]

For jigheads- loop knot

For most hooks (Texas-rig, drop shot, under a cork) improved clinch