I hooked one small tarpon years ago from my kayak. I made it to the first jump and he was gone. But you are right they are a trill.

Download Google Earth. You can use it to locate potential spots.
My website AmeliaFishBites.com has a section on using Google Earth to locate spots that may help. https://ameliafishbites.com/how-to/

Does your Dad have a boat or is he shore-based?

Great day fishing... For a minute I thought that could be a record blue fish. But no. The record is 22 pounds 13 ounces a real giant.

Thanks for the update Corkynewman. This is exactly the type of info I was looking for.

Publix is the work bait and tackle store around. Just sayen.

There are more good fishing spots around Tampa than you can shake a rod at. But it is still fishing not catching.

I caught a 35# AJ off Isla Mujeres in 2008. This was the hardest fighting fish I've ever hooked. A very memorable trip!!!

I was surf fishing Monday, the day before yesterday, north of American Beach. I caught one whiting and one small pompano. The surf is very difficult to read because the waves are too small. There usually is a sand bar about 150 feet offshore but I haven't seen one in the last two months.

There are 5 Facebook Groups that I know of in South East Florida.
South Florida Saltwater Fishing https://www.facebook.com/groups/2351589634/
Snook Fishing https://www.facebook.com/groups/82519137697
Fishing SLP, Surfside and Freeport https://www.facebook.com/groups/551055098599046/
Southern Florida Fishing Reports https://www.facebook.com/groups/804452506261268/
Broward Bottom Fishing https://www.facebook.com/groups/2012079209082265/

If you see a canal anywhere I bet it will have fish.
Half the fun is exploring. Also I recommend Google Earth.

I live in the land of hard water. I soak the shower head and sink faucets but my tankless water heater is the biggest project. I flush it about every 18 months. It takes an hour to do it right. I use a 5-gallon bucket with a small pump and 4 gallons of vinegar.

Good idea!
I'm sure you are right, about corrosion. I never thought to soak it in vinegar. I happen to have several 1/2 gallons of the stuff around. I use it all the time. But not to soak my reels. I certainly have nothing to lose.

My two oldest reels are Shimanos. They still work ok but I thought after a decade that it might be time to do some routine maintenance. I loosened the screws but was unable to remove the rear panel to access the inside. I even emailed customer service but they didn't have an answer. They both are at least 21 years old 10 of them in saltwater and have never been greased. One was dropped overboard but recovered after about 10 minutes in 5 feet deep saltwater. One of them has a screw on the bail that keeps backing out. I put some Locktite on it and it seems to have fixed the problem. If I caught a 20-pound redfish I think it would be the end of either of them. I use them to fish sabiki rigs mostly.

To change the subject every so slightly but still on our manufacturing. We won WWII because we built 10 planes, tanks, or ships for every Zero, Focke-Wulf FW 190, Panzer Tank, or battleship the Axis built. I question if we could do that again.

That is like stealing a man's horse in the 1800s.