MK-9

Don't know if it's due to the cold or what, but most Minnesotans here don't eat them and say they're not good. Don't know if it's simply because they're a pain to clean due to the amount of bones or because they dislike the taste of them.

Guess I figure if I'm not losing them and can re-use them over and over, the $6 doesn't really bother me that much.

I'll say that I'm not a granola crispy type but I'd imagine less lead in the water is a good thing environmentally. Not entirely sure but I believe I heard some states were starting to ban lead. Don't quote me on that though.

Luckily the Gander Mtn I was planning on checking is about a block from the Cabela's in Rogers, MN. If one doesn't have them, hopefully the other will. Thanks for the heads up!

Not yet! It's driving me nuts. I'm itching to get it out. I did get an amazingly sweet deal and got a new in the box BPS Pro Qualifier Tourney for $27 on eVilbay though. Then I was at Gander Mtn today. They had a closeout sale ($20 off) on Fenwick rods. Unfortunately they had no HMX 7'+ med heavies left. Might have to check and see if the one on the other end of town has any. Although I doubt it. Might have to wait til next year to get the BPS on a rod.

Bite your tongue sir!

Sold. You'll be sure to enjoy January / February in Minnesota. -20 to -40 is 'fun'!

Got mine last week. 7' MH. Still haven't had it fishing yet, but I was astounded at how nice and light it felt. Of all the new gear I got it's the thing I'm most excited to use. Have it paired up with a Lew's Tournament MG.

Been cool almost all summer here. It sucks. Hard. I hate (also see; loathe, despise, abhor, detest) winter / snow and barely got to do any fishing so far this year.

I don't know you, but it made me smile and felt good to read your post. Very glad you've got this second chance at life man.

Bother? Not really. It doesn't make me happy and leaves me with a little bit of an empty feeling. But, it's something that drives me to get out as soon as possible next time. All in all I look at being out on the water having a good time. It's far more fun than most things I can think of to do on a nice day! Fish caught or not.

Still new to the baitcasting thing and 2 of my old spinners are being used by a few cousins. Was hoping to 'plant the seed' so they get into fishing. Anyway, I don't have crazy spendy gear or much of it. Top one is a Lew's Tournament MG (7.1:1) on a St. Croix Rage (6'8" MH) - Brand new. Haven't had it out yet. 2nd one is is an Abu Garcia Revo SX (6.4:1) on a Garcia Veritas (7'0" MH) Spinning setup is a Abu Garcia Soron on a Garcia Vendetta (7'0" M) Once I get more comfortable on the baitcasters I'd like to add another. Maybe BPS Pro Qualifier on a Fenwick HMG eventually.

Not sure, but I do the same as you and thumb it right before it hits. Maybe it's just an experience thing and it'll change as we get better.

Being very new to them myself, the best advice I got was just someone explaining to me that it was almost all based around thumb control of the spool. Just that little bit of knowledge, just knowing is what's keeping me so far from having any major backlash. If I feel like something is getting away from me in the cast, bam...thumb on the spool and it seems to save whatever issue was going to happen. It turned out to be far easier than I ever expected. I then felt like a dope for fearing them for so long and never giving them a try. I feel ike I have far better control and accuracy with it.

Any day I'm out fishing that I don't break or lose something (rod, reel, lure...boat). Don't get me wrong, I love to catch but as long as I'm out there with a line in the water, I'm a pretty damned happy dude.