http://www.striped-bass.com/Stripert...ht=safety+gear
http://www.striped-bass.com/Stripert...2Aetiquette%2A
Here are a couple of links that are great collections of advice from guys who have seen it all. Safety should be your number one consideration. Most of the places where you will find large bass are also very dangerous, but can be fished safely with the right gear and knowledge.
As others have said, start with the basic gear and add pieces slowly. If you go out in the dark in a dangerous spot loaded with new gear, you're asking for trouble. Every time I add a new piece of gear to my rig, I test it in safer waters. Does it prevent me from reaching any of my safety gear? Can I get to it if I fall in? Can I detach it from my rig and use it with only one hand, etc? I fish in a wet suit so another big consideration for me is, do I still float with the new gear. I also carry a hand held and completely submergible VHF radio. I carry it in a holster that is fixed to my bag strap in the middle of my chest. I also have a lanyard on it so I can't loose it. All I have to do is turn it on (automatically on ch 16) and with one hand, I have direct access to the coast guard in many of the places that I fish. I test it before stepping into the water every time I fish.
The other link about the canal, take it for what it's worth. knowing what to expect will make for a more pleasant trip. I live about a mile from it and don't fish it much anymore (once last year while waiting for a more favorable tide elsewhere) because of the crowds. I have seen people who don't know how the place works get run off by an angry mob. It can be a great place if you approach it correctly.
Welcome to the site! Lots of great guys on here willing to share and help.
Hybrid Mode
