Hire a guide, save effort in the long run.
Thanks for your service to your country old grumpy marine!
1 color at 10’ , diff color at 20’, 3rd color at 30’. 2 marks of color 1 at 40’, 2 marks of color 2 at 50’, etc. etc.
Add lead to your lure to increase distance. Start with 1 oz; remember this will speed up the trip to the bottom/snag, so reel sooner and faster.
As you said, baitcasters are usually more accurate. Spinning reels usually cast further with light lures. Long casts cover more water so if you’re fishing large areas you’re better off using spinning gear. If you’re trolling or anchored and pulling bait with lead or a diver you’re better off with a bait caster, preferably with a line counter reel so you have an idea where your lure/ bait is located.
PapaJ why did you buy a 150hp motor? I have rented a pontoon boat for fishing and it had a 40hp motor that got us around as fast as we needed for fishing. Do you plan to pull skiers? I suspect the answer is you plan on fishing bigger lakes and rivers so you need to go fast. How fast can you go with several on board?
Keep calling Shakespeare. Show your reel to a clerk in a tackle shop or a buddy with experience with spinning reels.
Okuma line counter, low version
I add my thanks to the US Coast Guard for keeping us fools safe.
Go to Ifish or other fishing sites to learn more about fishing the mouth of the Columbia River. Also NOAA maps and other govt info. Graveyard is an appropriate name for this water.
I agree with outfit you sent a photo of but I would buy a two piece reel rather than one piece. Easier to carry in your rig. Have fun with whatever you choose and send photos.
Pears are wonderful fruit, just ate half of one. Be careful not to bruise them when picking or handling them.
Scopolamine patch behind your ear. Get it from your doc, get his ok if you have cardiovascular issues.
Go to wdfw site and look up lakes in pierce county and fishing with kids. Lots of info.