(Part 2) Best products from r/FishingForBeginners

You've got too much hardware on there. You want to tie your line directly to the hook. You're using a swimbait there, and the only really effective way to fish a swimbait in grass and remain mostly weedless is with a weighted swimbait hook... like these...

https://www.amazon.com/Berkley-Fusion19-Weight-Swimbait-Hooks/dp/B012MCUI1Y/ref=sr_1_7?keywords=weighted+swimbait+hooks&qid=1566933103&s=gateway&sr=8-7

You screw the wire into the front of the head, then rig the hook like you have it in the picture. The weight on the hook helps the baits swim upright. The weighted swimbait hook is really versatile, allowing you to fish it slowly to keep it near the bottom or even jig it up and down. I've even put it on a Zoom Ultravibe Speed Craw and reeled it fast across the top of the water like a buzzbait.

I would also recommend using a jig head built for swimbaits, like these...

https://www.amazon.com/Reaction-Tackle-Swimbait-Swing-Heads/dp/B07L2G6SKF/ref=sxin_1_ac_d_rm?ac_md=4-4-YmFzcyBqaWcgaGVhZHM%3D-ac_d_rm&keywords=jig%2Bheads&pd_rd_i=B01MYGZR0P&pd_rd_r=2653de38-18e0-40df-a3b5-c3e6b3fc4335&pd_rd_w=gCoOq&pd_rd_wg=ElmVW&pf_rd_p=404c4843-2c96-4d0d-a5fe-2b0598693e61&pf_rd_r=6HEAEV4H8WXM3QB165KP&qid=1566933271&s=gateway&th=1

These are pretty weedless, too, but over time, the push of grass against the nose of the bait will pull the bait down the hook shank. Not a deal-breaker, just something to be aware of. You can use standard jig-heads, but as the hook is exposed at the top of the bait, you won't be even close to weedless.

I am assuming you meant brown bullhead which is a catfish. I am not familiar with the species but google puts the average weight around 1-2lbs.

I would get a spinning reel in the 1000 to 3000 class and a 6 foot and a half foot medium light rod.

Something like a penn battle 2000 combo is a decent entry level setup that will last a while but isn't too expensive. You could get the Penn fierce if you want to go cheaper.

That setup would be perfect for fish up 2lbs. If the fish you are targeting average more than that then go for the 2500 or 3000 setup.

I've had decent luck in the Keys catching Pin fish for bait using a Sabiki rig, with very tiny hooks.

A Sabiki rig is basically a string of small hooks with a bit of shiny something attached to each hook as a lure.

The tackle shops in the Keys will have them. Get a few extra because they are real easy to become all tangled up.

Here's an example...
Sabiki rig

If you want to get real fancy, you can use a Sabiki rod. It's hollow. You reel the rig into the hollow rod when done fishing, so the Sabiki rig won't get all tangled, and it's ready for the next time.
Sabiki rod

I bought this one on prime day for 8.99...the savings lol. But it works well for me!
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07HCFP4MD?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

You can always pick this up. Looks great. Saves lives. Much pockets.

https://www.amazon.com/NRS-Chinook-Fishing-Lifejacket-Charcoal-L-XL/dp/B01K9DVUVA/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?keywords=fishing+vest+pfd&qid=1558746067&s=gateway&sr=8-4

Frogs do really well above weeds. Of course they gotta be in the mood to bite it but I hear ya... feel like it's the only thing I can cast w/o getting caught up sometimes. Maybe topwater poppers too? Similar design but I've never tried one.

This is extremely lightweight in terms of robustness. For pier fishing and lifting the catch up some yards, I'd get a sturdier rod. There's this stronger kit from Zebco with a Medium power rod that's equally compact.

I always try to keep a few backup tools on hand for hook swallows. Hemostats and hook removers like this one can save a lot of fish:

Cuda Dehooker 8 1/2in https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00K5VFZDQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_oVDmDbN8TENW1

Remember to be delicate but time conscious. If you spend more then 30 seconds trying to remove the hook to get the fish back in water, just cut the line as close to the hook as possible and release the fish.

How about this pflueger president combo. Amazon has it on sale for $59

Agreed. I've been using this ultra light but durable soft backpack that I've had for a few years now and just throw in the basics. Carrying too much shit is a hassle and would definitely prevent me going out as much. Typically what I keep in the pack:

• small plano box with a mix of in line spinners and a few different sized hooks, clip on sinkers, a couple different kinds of bullet weights and some misc things.
  
  
• fishing pliers and knife in one side pocket
  
  
• water bottle on the other side pocket
  
  
• sunscreen+bug spray
  
  
• one or two spools of line
  
  
• few small baggies of soft plastic lures and small jar of power bait
  
  
• very basic first aid kid, some paper towels, rubbers in case mermaid bitches and fishing permit.
  
  Still very light, water resistant and plenty of room for miscellaneous things like snacks, or ice packs, etc. Always keep it on the go so I can just grab a rod and the backpack and head out easy peasy.

Clippers are very handy and don’t take up much space.
Clippers

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B013VBI0DI/ref=pd_aw_sim_sbs_200_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=SXZA9TAR7RTQF4H51SMV&dpPl=1&dpID=71APPd-YdwL&th=1&psc=1

How bout this little guy?

garrett outdoors 1/64 oz #6 red sickle hook 100 count https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07F6RVFHM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_0w4UDb7T2301J

KastKing Centron 2000

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06ZZ29RH4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

KastKing Whitemax Lower Profile Baitcasting

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06WWRMMRH/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1