How about using a popping cork?

Good looking fish! Yum!

Hahahahaha Yes! I agree, sort of. My fishing partner went with me to pick up my new Lund ProV18. We were both wowed and had cheek cramps for hours. But he reminded me more than once of the many many fish we caught with my old modified Mirrorcraft 14’ with 25 horse Merc and my older Starcraft 12’ that got a 9.9 Merc, 4 1/2 hp Merc or trolling motor depending on what small water we fished with it. And we dragged a canoe through the woods to nearly unknown ponds to catch fish and make memories. In the smaller boats we went where big boats dare not and we took MUCH less gear and we fished more and ran from one spot to another way way less.
We have great memories from the bigger boat as well. No need for boat snobs or boat envy to exist as fishing is a personal experience for each fisherman. On a big water a big boat CAN/MAY present more opportunities to catch fish if used wisely, not just dashing mile after mile burning gas. On smaller or more protected waters it’s about the fisherman more than the boat. But to say you catch as many or more fish etc etc, that may or may not be true but doesn’t even need to be said. It’s not a contest unless you are in a tournament. Now that is a whole other issue. Hahahahaha Anyway, it’s all supposed to be fun.

I went with a 2000 Lund ProV and a good boat but a good choice is a boat with little or no wood in it. The decks (plywood with marine carpet) have been replaced twice and need it again. A aluminum or composite deck would have been way better.

I too use braid and flouro with a double uni knot. I first started with braid years (decades) ago using Fireline on both spin and baitcasters. My fishing partner resisted change for many years. One day I was doing well and he was not, I think with Carolina rigs. I convinced him to use my rigs; Carolina, Texas, pitching, etc. He was amazed and convinced to change. The sensitivity was so intensified with the braid and the mono rigs felt mushy. I still used mono on crank baits mostly and both ways on spinner baits, depending on cover and some other times as well. If fishing with small hooks the braid can be unforgiving and the shock absorbing has to be in the action of the rod, a little slower and/or soft tip.

You can definitely use them. To hold off rust make sure you wash them in fresh water like you do your rods and reels. I used to put my boat in a fresh water canal on the way home and run everything (live wells, bilge pumps) while the engine was running. At home all tackle went in a 5 gallon bucket for washing. You can change out the hooks on your favorite lures. Don’t forget to change to heavier duty split rings and maybe heavier wire hooks.

Tunnel hull flats boat with Jack plate and motor mods (water pickup) to run some seriously skinny water.

Those wreck donkeys can kick your butt! Great fun!

Years ago took a 7 1/2 ft fly rod, put on a spinning handle and an ultralight reel. It was awesome for tiny crank baits and jigs.

This is a valid question! When we moved to Florida for retirement I quickly found out that most salt water fish there have teeth! Also watch out in fresh/brackish water. My first gar was scary and I decided he could have the jig and plastic. Big teeth! Do your homework on what you are fishing for and what you might catch. Be careful. It could be painful.

Check for teeth first.

Store them (DOA shrimp) by themselves in normal fashion. Don’t store with Gulp or specialty baits. They are a “do nothing” bait and require some finesse so patience is a must except when working under a cork. When the fish are active of course all that goes out the window as they will eat. If you want to fish “faster” you can use jig heads with curly tails, paddle tails etc.. Be advised that snakefish, puffers and others will bite your soft baits like crazy and ruin them often. You just have to grin and bare it. But it can get expensive (relatively). By varying your jig weight, hook and bait size you can cover all depths and conditions. Buy decent jigs. Beware the cheapies as the hooks are of poor quality and size is not optimum.

We lived in Northport near Charlotte Harbor within 1/4 mile of Rt75. We had undeveloped lots around us. We had rattle snakes cross the road on several occasions. These are 4feet + and as big as your wrist, not little guys. They live there as there is a healthy population of rabbits, field rats, etc etc. Always be alert.

“Discretion is the better part of valor”.
While we lived in Sarasota county near Charlotte we had news of 1 swimmer (tourist) taken from a canal and 1 female jogger from a trail. Don’t be the one.

Check out DOA shrimp rigs on tube. When I got to Florida I said no way. I’m not paying for that. It looks stupidly artificial. Well, I was wrong! It works, with or without the popping cork depending on your water and fish you’re after. It catches most everything there. OBTW, the owner explored the idea of having it produced in China years ago and they treated their workers sooo bad especially around lead, he said no way. If he can’t sell it made in America, he won’t sell at all.
If the water is a little deeper the weights inside work well but for most flats just the lure or with the cork. Obviously if you are after sheepshead or in moving water by structure the shrimp is still king. Hope this helps.