>>2527147the puget sound as a whole is okay, but the Seattle coastline is one of few parts they seem not to recommend (most likely due to urban pollution runoff in rainstorms), so yeah those guys would definitely be safer if they just cross the sound to bainbridge island
also for your gear, best thing to learn on is a medium or medium/light fishing rod and a spinning reel imho, both of which are more than abundant in Seattle thrift stores i imagine
medium/light will let you feel action from small panfish, while also holding up against medium-sized game like pike, bass, etc
12lb monofilament line is a good compromise in my opinion, light enough to work on most reels, while also tough enough to handle most medium-sized fish
for a line leader, it depends what fish you want (it can be 6-10lbs stronger than your line often), but if you're in a lake with pike, you're going to want a wire leader because those things will snap lines and steal lures like crazy
i hope your old man does well in surgery, I've made a lot of good memories fishing with my dad.
