7 weeks, 20 states, 7000 miles one BIG Redfish.

Yeah I like the 2500 size shimano reels. And the sahara is decent for the price. I've learned the hard way that paying more for saltwater spinning reels does not necessarily mean longer life! Spinning reels are so susceptible to salty corrosion.

When I first got the Sahara I tore it apart and lubed everything with Corrosion-X and a thin layer of marine grade waterproof grease. 
This has held up great for several years now.  I do the same thing with all my Abu's.  They still look and work like new.

That's the way to ride the Bull! Glad you got out and got 'em!

 Great story, although I winced when you said  "frozen mullet" and making bait with a squid jig. Frozen mullet is hardhead candy and only good for crab bait. Fresh mullet or half a blue crab would have been a much better choice.

 But then I'd have never tried your squid jig. That just goes to show that you've got to use what you have and everything eats squid (or a likeness thereof). I'll have to give that a shot down here.
Thanks!

Wow, awesome fish! Did you eat that thing? Taste like chicken?

Wow, awesome fish! Did you eat that thing? Taste like chicken?

Totally tastes like breast meat chicken.  If I didn't tell you it was Redfish and made chicken kabobs or chicken nuggets, you would have went right along with it. 

The thing with the big Redfish is that you need to cut out all the blood lines.  Those areas can be very gamey flavored.

What a catch on light tackle! Great story.