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BassResource members get a discount at DVT! He will call you back if he can''t answer the phone. Give him a call!

I'm sending you a PM. Thank you for the offer! The 20th works for me, and it depends how the plans shape up but I could probably make a weekend out of it with that much notice.

Still about the same. I've seen a few people wreck props around the ramp this year. The shallow ramp is still closed and the docks are still sitting on dry land.

I would be interested in going as a non-boater if that is possible.

Thank you for the replies. It sounds like we may go during the middle of June. Does anyone have any information on Lake Osakis?

I use 2 speed bags, 1 for worms and 1 for trailers and leave the plastics in their original bags. Granted this probably wouldn't work if I had gallons of soft plastics.

Seems like I always buy myself something for fishing after Christmas and then have to sit there and look at it until Spring!!! But usually all I have to do is look at my bank account and then the urge to buy something goes away! I'm getting pretty good at going to Cabela's and leaving with nothing. That place is like a McDonalds playplace for me.

Only when I really need to down-size my gear. I don't prefer catching bass on my crappie gear though. I only do it occasionally because my budget has not allowed to get a few Medium set-ups for finesse fishing so I have to go from MH to UL It might just be me, but I don't really like to play fish anymore than I need to because I find it a bit unsporting. I wouldn't deer hunt with a .22 or turkey hunt with a .410. Edit: Not saying theres anything particularly wrong with it, I just prefer not to. That said, it is fun to land a big fish on a UL set-up. The fish in my profile picture came on a Quantum Kinetic KT10PTiC / Shimano Voltaeus VTS56UL 5'6" UL MF / 4# Sufix Siege Mono.

I really like that shiny head!!

Anything on Lake Osakis? My dad and I are thinking about going there early next Spring. I think he is pretty set on that lake because he used to go there with his father as a kid. Does anyone know anything about this lake? When would be a good time to go? Is March too early? Sorry for all the questions lol but I am from KS.

In that price range I'd also suggest a Quantum Kinetic. I have a Pflueger President and a Quanum Kinetic and I like the Kinetic a bit more but they are both great reels for the money I think. The Kinetic's magnetic bail trip is guaranteed for life.

I can barely hold a fork in my left hand when there is a fork, a rib-eye, and a steak knife right in front of me.

RW beat me to it

HUGE thread on this if you search it. Best answer I could find is that spinning setups are designed for the rod to do most of the work in pulling the fish in so you want your dominate hand (right for most people) on the rod and you move the rod to pull the fish and reel in the slack line, repeat. Baitcasting setups were designed for the reel to do most of the work (its like a winch) so you want your dominate hand on the reel. Personally, I cast right-handed and reel right-handed with both spinning and baitcasting setups, switching the rod in my hands usually before the bait hits the water.

No matter how well you tie your knot I should think that you would want your break off to be at the knot. It would be disconcerting to me if my line broke somewhere other than at the knot on a hang-up. I would probably peel line or re-spool at that point because then I wouldn't trust my line. Never lost much braid on a hang-up but I fish with 20 # braid, easy enough to break. If I used 65# I would probably cut it off and lose a lot more. If your line is breaking somewhere other than at the knot, your line was probably damaged.

I use the rattles in muddy water.

I like Rauls post a lot & WRB is always spot on. Raul mentioned willows in his area being a good way to find channels. I've been taught that hardwoods point towards creeks so if there is standing timber in the lake you can find the channel. If you see hardwoods like this: I/ \I there was likely a creek between them at some point.

Same here.

Never had a problem with it. I use 20# braid.

Thank you for the replies. I have read that the St. Croix is a little tip heavy. Quantum Smoke 25 - 7.5oz. Quantum Smoke 30 - 7.8oz. Shimano Stradic FJ 10 - 7.5oz. Shimano Stradic FJ 25 - 9.2oz. Shimano Stradic FJ 30 - 9.3oz. Shimano Stradic CI4's are way light. I'll have them pair the Smoke next time I go and see which size feels better on the rod.

I'm looking to buy a new finesse setup for shayhead and drop-shot fishing. Also want to be able to throw small weightless plastics like 3" senkos or rage baby craws. I had narrowed my list down to three rods that I like and that are affordable to me. 1) St. Croix Eyecon ECS63MXF - 6-10# 1/8-1/2oz. 3.6oz. 2) Fenwick Elite Tech - Smallmouth Series a) ESMS63M-F - 6-12# 1/8-3/4oz. ESMS69M-XF - 6-12# 1/8-3/4oz. I had a chance to feel the Eyecon at cabelas yesterday and liked it a lot. They only had the Elite Tech Walleye Series so I didn't get to hold the Smallmouth Series rod. I did not like the Elite Tech Walleye rods as much as the St. Croix. I plan on putting a a Quantum Smoke size 25 on this setup with 8# Yo-Zuri. Has anyone used these rods or have other suggestions for these techniques close to this price range?

I like the 20# A LOT. Yesterday I was throwing a 3/8oz. jig with a rage baby craw trailer with 1 brake on on my citica 200E. I was using 3 brakes prior to this and it was slinging. Edit: It was a little gusty yesterday and at times my 20# was bending a ton. I just try to focus on that the line is still taught. You don't have to straighten the line to your lure to give the lure action. You will probably move the lure a ton more than you intend to. Just work it normally.

I use 20# braid typically and the only dig I see is usually further into the spool than I use. I unwrap it every once in a while but I've never had a cast stop from the line being dug in in the middle of the spool. When you spool, do it with some pressure on the line to get it tight on the spool. This will help with dig problems before they start.

This. I imagine a bass would eat them, too. When I catfish with cut bait I wrap a little cheesecloth around the bait prior to hooking it to help the bait hold on the hook.

I'm an avid beer drinker. It might be why I started bass fishing in the first place. That said, I think it's a terrible idea to be in 40 feet of water drunk. Don't do it. Don't go anywhere you can't get out of. Swimming is hard enough sober. Props to this thread. Courtesy, respect, and safety at all times is rewarding regardless of how many fish you catch.