new member with alot of ?'s

[djb]

searched high and low the last few days before i found this place, to make a long story short i've been an avid bass fisherman for several years and thought it was time for a change so i traded my bass boat for a new 22ft kenner with a 150 optimax, now the ?'s come, how far out in the gulf can i go safely ( i live in north alabama don't know much about the gulf) , also what rods reels are good all around equipment ( not talking about $1000 rigs either) i'm not looking to become a prosfessional overnight but don't want to look stupid either, safety equipment needed? i got GPS and marine vhf installed on boat anything else besides the typical stuff like life jackets, fire ex, and such?


also if anyone could post pics of how there small boats like mine are set up for trolling or inform me what i'd need it would be greatly apprceiated,
looking forward to wetting a hook later next week .

and by the way glad to be here. Darryl

[Capt Ted]

Get yourself some penn or shimano spinning reels. Or if you are comfortable with conventional reels, you can get a tld20 or so and use if for trolling and bottom fishing.

Also get a chart of the local area if you dont have one already. I believe there is one available on this site.

I would jump on a charter with a pro guide if you have the $$ .. it will save you tons of trial and error..

[djb]

i found some of the tld120's on bass pros website, had them listed from 20lb to 40lb , which ones are better suited for trolling? i'm guess the heavier 40# ones, any recommendations on rod holders for trolling?

[Venice Tunaman]

If you are going trolling, get yourself some TLD25's. They are affordable and good quality.

Spool them up with 25lb test.

As for rods, bass pro has cominations with their brand, I think it is Ocean Master.... good rods... Usually the combo price is hard to beat...

[Venice Tunaman]

By the way, send a PM to tek on this site, he runs ReelProshop.com and will give you some great prices and recommendations.

Jahmussa is his name on the forum.

[DIRTYFOOT2]

Good advice above. My father bought me my first TLD 25 17 years ago and its still cranking. As far as the rod holders go, flush mount is the best if feesable. Either way you want to be sure that they are screwed or even bolted to your gunnels. If your installing them yourself be sure you have something stout to screw them off to. If there isn't anything but glass where you want the holders, use small pieces of marine grade lumber to beef up the install. You want to still have your first Tld 17 years later, and the forces exerted on trolling rod holders are extreme. Also give some thought to position and angle of the holders. For example if you have a holder at the stern angled 45 the next one going toward the bow, will better suit you being angled out from the boat. Finally go out and fish.
You'll discover quickly what you need and want on your boat, stop by your local coast guard auxillary and get a free safety check. While you are there sign up for thier next safe boating class. Should be mandatory, but take the initiative and do it yourself, you'll learn alot and be a much better boater because of it.

Take Care,
DIRTYFOOT2