I have a couple of Bud's rods, too. I think I got them in the late 90s, and I still use them for specific techniques. I tend to favor the shorter 6 ft pistol grip for spinner baits and shallow cranks in tight quarters. I can get pretty accurate (for me) casts with this setup.

Good morning, Howard, I'm in the Fairfax area. There are a couple fishing "flea markets" about this time every year.
You might be able to get hooked up with someone who already has a table, or get one yourself. Another option to consider would be to donate to a non-profit or local fishing club focused on getting kids in to fishing. New Horizons Bass Anglers is such an organization. And I might be interested in a couple myself. ;)

Ed

You might be surprised. A few years ago (okay, actually about 20) I was throwing a Shad Rap on bass gear for smallies, largemouth and walleye from the shore above Fletcher's Cove and a 20" rainbow SLAMMED my lure. I'm sure it was a holdover stocker from one of the tributaries. I've never heard of them being stocked in the Potomac and they're surely not native. To answer your question, Clousers in white/chartreuse are always a good bet, as are Wooly Buggers in browns and olives. Crayfish and sculpin patterns can be great choices, too. Good luck!

I didn't know there were any in snakeheads in Burke Lake until I found out the hard way. Lost a LuckyCraft Gunfish to one of about 12-14 inches. That'll teach me to fish with expensive lures on 8 lb test. I've also caught a couple in Huntsman, too. Best one there was about 4 lbs on a Baby -1Minus. Haven't fished for them in a while, though. Have been focusing on trout lately. I need to change it up now that the warm weather's here.

I was co-angler in a local amateur club tournament a couple years ago. Boater said he had a MONSTER bass on. Turned out it was about a 12-15 lb snakehead. It took a long time to bring it to the net, and that's when the real fight began. After netting the fish I ran back to and stayed on the back deck to keep out of the way as that beast thrashed and kicked and fought to escape. And then there was the struggle to unhook the fish. That rascal completely trashed my boater's Chatterbait Jackhammer lure. I've only caught two smallish snakeheads, about 4 lbs each, fishing a Zoom Horny Toad in spatterdock pads. What a massive topwater bite! As soon as my fishing partner recovers from knee replacement we're taking our kayaks to a tributary of the tidal Potomac where I know we can find some. Gonna try 'em on the fly.

Looks like a great day on the water. Prayers being sent your way.

Born and raised in Santa Cruz County but I left the area March of 1976 when I joined the Navy at age 19. So you could say starting I started fishing there in the mid-60s as a toddler tagging along with my Dad and eventually on my own until the Navy. I usually went fishing anytime I went home on leave over the next 22 years of my career but haven't been back in the area since 2009.

It's so odd that the url opens the page to that specific area. I grew up fishing those exact piers, jetties, and wharves of Santa Cruz County. Spent most of my summer days either surfing or fishing those spots. Strange coincidence. Hope you get to give it a shot!

Yep, it's a humu and being the state fish of Hawaii I believe they're a protected species. As in don't keep 'em.

Wet fart sound. Made me laugh!

i was going to add my own stories about the various non-fish critters that have tried to take my fly/lure (ducks, gulls, ospreys, snakes, frogs, bats!) but I don't think I can top Cyclops313 for delivery so I'll just leave it as a list. :)

Wet market - isn't that how we got to COVID?

Quick check of Maryland fish ID page shows 2 species frequent the Bay, Atlantic and shortnose sturgeons.

Yeah, it's a sturgeon carcass. They're native to the Chesapeake and tributaries, and they're making a comeback, sort of. Very cool!

Don't forget - those pictures you see are usually professional models posed by professional photographers. And quite often they use the same "tricks" employed by on-screen personalities so shirt fronts won't sag/bag: they use clips in the back to gather up the excess material so the front looks snug and form fitting.

But as many have already posted, a tight belt can save your life. I can speak from personal experience. A belt will prevent your waders from filling when you take a tumble. My last dunking made me an absolute true believer.