Slightly off-topic…

Why isn’t there a chewable for me?

If you look at the twins as a baseball operation, you’re doing it wrong. If you look at them as strictly a for-profit venture, everything makes sense.

That was my cousin’s nephew’s uncle who tossed that wolf collar. This was years ago, before the laws changed. Besides, statue of limitations nowadays.

Quick update from the original questioner:

Thanks again for all the great advice! I did a few sessions at the range this winter, and recently purchased my first handgun – a Springfield 9mm XD.

I would have preferred to start with a .22, but the ammo situation there looks grim now and into the future for it to be my primary handgun. And, I now know from my time at the range that shooting the 9mm is really fun! Now that I’m set with the 9mm, I feel like I still want to get a .22 as a bonus, and shoot that whenever I can find ammo.

Permit to Carry class is next, although, right now, the 9mm feels huge – I can’t imagine being able to conceal it. Hopefully, that will change as I get more used to it.

Best to all!

(Original poster here)

Sincere thanks to all of you for your replies. Great advice, info, encouragement.

To clarify, I plan on the .22 being my practice handgun, mostly. Gun #2 will likely be a 9MM, and that will be the home/personal defense piece that I pray will never be needed. I have a permit to purchase, will pursue a permit to carry after the holidays (I hope CCP courses are not in lockdown).

My biggest concern from all of your replies is the scarcity of ammo. I knew it had tightened up considerably, but I didn’t know the stores are actually bare. I guess I’ll figure that out as I go.

Thanks again, this is a great e-community!

WS

Look at the ugly mug on that thing.

I’d guess at least 175 lbs.

Eventually turned out to be catch & release.

Wife #3.

A couple other tidbits about gulf sheepshead…

1. You can “chum” for them by scraping the barnacles on the pilings, the dislodged pieces are a free meal and really draw them in. That’s often how the sight-fishing comes into play.

2. They are one of the best eating fish in the gulf – they have a shellfish-like flavor.

Good luck!