Hello from Florida

[Woodpuppy]

Greetings & Salamanders!

I'm a Florida boy born and bred. Grew up in the Florida Keys (mm89) and fishing the back country in the 80s. Growing up I had no idea how good I had it. Fast forward (gulp) 40 years and my kids are interested in fishing and I can't tell you how happy that makes me! I'm in Tallahassee now, since '93 and have done some artificial reef and nearshore saltwater fishing and scalloping, but we're trying freshwater now, as a ploy to get them into canoes. Paddlin' is my other love so whenever I can combine them I'll do my best.

I found this site a couple/few months (maybe longer?) back while hunting for parts for a Penn 722 and 714Z. I stumbled into a rebuild thread on I think the 420ss by Sal (May he Rest In Peace) and casually started making bookmarks to great - I mean rally fantastic - resources.

Most of my tackle is geared towards Florida Bay and St. Marks flats fishing, and so heavier action than I really want for FW. Think mackerel and grouper... But I also grew up on 8-lb Ande mono. Well I dug around in the box o' reels and what do we have but a couple of 722s, a 722Z, a 722Z parts reel, and 3 714Zs! One of the 722s was in real bad shape, a split crosswind block and main gear such that the handle wouldn't come off. On this site I found the way to get the handle off and gear out, and in the parts reel I had a near perfect main gear and intact cwb. A few hours, WD40, toothbrush, paper towels, and some fresh lube later and I had a smoothly working 722 greenie! A few days after that and the crosswind block from the parts reel had split and the reel was once again languishing in disrepair... ah well. it looks like Cortez Conversions has my solution. I needed and found on eBay a bail spring and screw for the 714Z and now she's got a new lease on life. And just this month I was weak and bought a 716Z and a 420ssg (oops) off eBay. I say oops on the 420ssg because I missed the made in USA cutoff and didn't realize it didn't retain the same pinion and main gear as the 420/430/4200/4300 ss series. But the 430ssg did? Odd, that. No matter it's on a dock runner now 

Now that I've bored everybody to tears, I'll just say I'm glad to have found this site and I've gotta get to reading!

[Keta]

Hi.

[alantani]

welcome!!!!

[Hardy Boy]

Welcome.

Cheers:

Todd

[Benni3]

Welcome from Salem va,,,,,

[foakes]

Welcome aboard, WP!

Best, Fred

[JasonGotaProblem]

Welcome from Tampa Bay!

[Bryan Young]

Welcome aboard.  those smaller Penn spinners are great reels.

[Breadfan]

Good to have you!

[Gobi King]

Welcome from West Fichigan!

[xjchad]

Howdy! 

[Donnyboat]

Good to have you with us WP, its never boring when some one is talking reels, & welcome from Sunny Western Australia, cheers Don.

[handi2]

Welcome from NW Florida where it freezes!

I my family is from Miami and south Florida.

My grandfather would take down to the Everglades to shoot turtles and snakes.

Fun times!

[Crow]

Howdy!!

[Brewcrafter]

Welcome from the SoCal Inland Empire! - john