Welcome to the addiction...as BK just explained there is a learning curve, but ultimately the equipment is to your choice, lots of great people on this board who are willing to help, and lots of information to read up on in here...
As the "kid" said, please visit "savecafishing" and help our good fight so you can get the time on the water you deserve.
There are always people and groups alike going out to different locations all the time, so you can hook up with a bunch of new people...
Hope to see you out there sometime....b
