Hi BassDawg,
At my age my learning curve has almost flat-lined. Tne one thing I did for the first time is going barbless. I'm sold. It makes catch and release much easier, quicker and safer.
As to number 2, I guess in the "heat of battle" making a sidearm cast and hitting my new plugging rod that was sitting in a rod holder and breaking off about 6 inches. That sure made my day.
Al