Marines 64-68 Sgt. One tour in Nam. 66-67 at Chu-Lai.
In Florida everyone always called the fish dolphin. Then some one decided we were not smart enough to tell the difference and started calling them the other names. I guess political correctness is every where.
Don't worry I am not mad. Where did you say you lived?
Born and raised in Miami then 20 years in Vero Beach fishing out of St Lucie inlet and Sebastion. Live in east Tn now and going crazy because I am not near the ocean.
I learned not to waste any bait. When anchored on a reef with the chum bag out and catching yellow tails you get a small one, stick him on a heavier rod and fish him on the bottom. You might catch a cuda or a shark but a much better chance you will catch a nice grouper or snapper. Something will eat that bait.
You should have gotten a booklet with the reel that will tell you how much amperage the reel draws. You can always go to Wally World up there and get a lawnmower battery. A lot lighter than a car battery and cheaper.
You can use just about anything for bait in salt water. Something is go to eat it.
Depends what your fishing for. If your going after sward fish or blue marlin them yes you can spend a lot of money onbig Penn International reels. For dolphin kings black fin tuna most bottom fish and just about everything else I use the Shamino TLD series of reels. It can cost a lot but doesn not have to.
Star rods made in Florida.
I USE TO CATCH MULLET AS A KID. SINGLE HOOK AND A SMALL DOUGH BALL FOR BAIT. THE ONLY MULLET I HAVE EVER EATEN WAS BLACK MULLET THAT HAD BEEN SMOKED. I THOUGHT IT WAS GREAT BUT THEN I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY SMOKED FISH I HAVEN'T LIKED.
Most people who eat mullet only eat black mullet not the silver mullet.