Fishing Gear... Getting Started

[beast819]

Hey everyone I have my boat now and have gotten comfortable with her in all aspects of launching and navigating and it is now time to get on with some fishing.

I am curious to hear everyones take on what you should have in your tackle box for the gulf coast region?  I don't have much gear at the moment but have been adding little things slowly to my box. I would likely be fishing inshore and going offshore when it is flat.

I always enjoy hearing what other people think works and doesn't.

Thanks,
Anthony

[JimCt]

One of the best ways to get an education is to go fishing with someone who gets results in your area.  By the time the day's over you'll have a rough idea of what works and generally what you should have in your box.  Fish as much as you can with successful fishermen.  Likely that's how they learned.

[John Jones]

Super inshore and nearshore fishing in your area.
Redfish
Spotted sea trout
Spanish Mackerel
king mackerel
cobia (ling, lemon fish)
Pompano

you only need about 1/20 of what everyone else has  

White bucktail jigs in 1/8 oz, 1/4, 3/8
Gold Johnson spoons with single hook, not treble
Plain 1/8 & 1/4 jigs (whatever color you like)
Plastic grubs for the jigs.  Saltwater assains in the color "Electric Chicken" will catch anything and every thing.  White with a red tail and white w/chartruse tail and a rootbeer w/chartruse tail are nice additions.

I would spend a lot of time reading here: http://outdoorsbest.zeroforum.com/zeroforum?id=15

All the tackle/bait shops carry free monthly rags with lots of good info from guides.  Subscribe to Florida Sportsman magazine and Shallow Water Angler.

Go fishing.

[JimCt]

... and take JJ with you.

[beast819]

awesome advice!

THANKS!