MN Bassin' nOOb

I personally hate split grip. I do a lot of cranking, and just can't grip a split handle with both hands when I sling it. Will be unloading my Mojo Bass and Vendetta in the Flea Market soon because of it.

Really? Man, I thought many guys use glass on lipless cranks...I thought KVD's stick he uses for lipless is glass? Also, I know he's probably in the 7'4'' range on his, but I'm hoping I don't lose anything by being that much longer at 7'10''...

Question for everyone: I've really gotten into cranking over the past year, and have found that I'm usually cranking about 75-85% of the time when fishing lakes here in MN. Previously, I had a Citica that I ran 1/2 oz lipless cranks with, but also threw on a few KVD 4, 5, and 6 series Sexy Shads on a 7' MH BPS Extreme or a 7' M Vendetta with a BPS PQ. However, I recently purchased a Daiwa Zillion (6.4.1) and threw it on a 7' MH St. Croix Premier. After looking at another cranking stick, the guys at Thorne Bros. here in MN (custom rod builders) suggested I go for a longer glass rod for better hook set, lure depth, etc. and based on what I've heard & read on here, I agreed. As such, I'm currently having a custom made 7'10'' M glass rod made (just ordered it today). However, I'm worried about it being too long, or too difficult to throw my 1/2 oz lipless cranks. Based on what I've read, I think it might be great for the deep running 5 or 6 series (15-20 ft) depth, but am worried I won't be able to effectively fish the 1/2 oz lipless cranks in the 8-14 ft range (or even shallower square-billed 1.5 and 2.5). So short story long here; should I change the order to get a happy medium somewhere in the 7'6'' range, or just keep the 7'10''? Does anyone have any experience with either/both to know if I can run the 8' or is it too specific to the deep divers and is a 7'6'' a happy medium? Some say the longer the better for cranks, but I'm just looking for whatever guidance you can give that would give me the most fishability out of the rod...1 custom rod was expensive enough for me, 2 would be tough to get past the wife. Thanks guys!

x2.

I sent him a few reels for cleaning & upgrading about 3 weeks ago...I didn't realize he's booked like 4-5 weeks out! This will be my first time using his services, so I'm hoping he's as good as everyone says he is! Good communication so far, I'll let you guys know how they turn out!

Stick with the older one (200 series). It's a better reel. The new Curado's are priced to capture more marketshare but Shimano skimped on some of the specs. Old curado (200E5/7) basically = 2012 model Chronarch.

I catch more fish with KVD stuff because I primarily fish KVD stuff. I can't catch fish on lures I don't use. However, it always seems that when things are slow with other lures, if I throw on one of his Sexy Shad cranks or something similar, I'm always landing more fish. Maybe it's just in my head, but I've been happy with every single KVD lure I've purchased in the past few years. Also, the thing that is really nice about his stuff is that it's actually pretty affordable. I've had a few muskie's & large northerns completely destroy/bite off (no leaders obviously) a few of the KVD cranks on Lake Minnetonka here in MN, and it doesn't hurt so bad when I'm only losing a couple/few bucks on a KVD lure vs. >$8 lures that other brands are selling. Call me a shill, but I've been very happy with his stuff...

Grew up in Minnetonka, live in Excelsior (but have just started fishing Lake Minnetonka the past couple of years, as I've fished more in the Brainerd area at my cabin). I'm looking forward to getting out on more metro lakes for bass this year. Vinny, now that you've got the new rig, how about taking a fellow member out in that nice rig? I can be open whenever you want to head out! I'm looking at a few Stratos boats as well...let me know.

Lake Minnetonka is my #1. Obviously Lake Minnetonka is a must for any bass guy in MN. Many lakes in Carver county are really strong bass lakes, like Eagle, Pierson, or Steiger (7 of the Top 10 Bass Fishing Lakes in MN are in Carver County, including the lake where the record was caught in '05). Look at Prior Lake, Waconia, or WBL (White Bear Lake is like a mini-Lake Minnetonka, and it's a very solid bass lake). Calhoun & Isles actually have some big bass as well (6-7 lbers). Chisago Lake has the quantity (you can catch 50-60 bass in a day no problem).

Another vote for the Bass Pro Shops Pro Qualifier, if it doesn't have enough votes already! Simply the best reel under $100 there is.

Probably my Daiwa Zillion.

Mostly MN lakes, most of which aren't huge to be honest. I'll be on Minnetonka quite a bit, which is 15,000 acres, but most lakes I fish are in the 2,000-3,000 acre range. The Skeeter guy is firm at $10k too. You guys are probably right, the lower hp on the Skeeter seems to be the glaring weakness right now...

They do, but you have to buy it in-store. I called customer service, and the deal won't be online.

I have a lot of both...maybe it's a mental thing, but I do like Yamamoto's decidedly better. I think they give better action to be honest, and thus look more appealing to the fish. Also, they seem to last a bit better than my Stick-O's from BPS. When I wacky rig it with the O-ring, I probably need a new Senko after 6-7 fish, whereas I'll need a new one with the BPS after about 2-4. Who knows though; for the difference in price, I'll probably take Stick-O's (got 104 pieces in all different colors for $15 from BPS, one bag of 10 from Yamamoto is $7). However, if I was fishing tourneys, was sponsored, and wasn't paying for it...I'd obviously take the Senko. One thing to make sure of; especially if you fish wacky rig; the O-ring IS A MUST. You will see WAY more life out of a pack of 10 Senko's than if you don't use the O-ring. I figure most people use it anyway, but if not, YOU HAVE TO if you're worried about always losing the worm after a bite or two. Period.

x2. Guy at Cabelas recommended it to me as great stuff. Bought a bunch and never looked back.

Getting details on Skeeter...doesn't look to be anything that nice, especially no HDS-5. They both were basically identical retail prices. Do most prefer Skeeter over Triton on here? My concern, being in MN, is we can get some rough water up here in the spring/fall. I've heard that the Skeeters are pretty wet boats...my other major concern is a 115 hp pushing an 18 footer...I figure the 150 is probably much better, although the TR-185 is a 19' vs 18' on Skeeter. Current prices: Triton: $9,800 ('02 TR-185 w/'04 150 hp Merc XR6, HDS-5, recessed 82 lb Motorguide, compression 135-140 on all cylinders) Skeeter: $10,000 ('05 SX180 w/'05 115 hp Merc, unknown electronics, 67 lbs MinnKota I believe, unknown compression) Triton was $23k new retail, now NADA $8,000-9,100 low to average. Skeeter was $21,500 new retail, now NADA $10,200-11,600 low to average. Triton has a 91'' beam (1431 lbs), Skeeter has an 82'' beam (1270 lbs). But when I say the Skeet is clean...here is what I mean: I'll get pics of the Triton up soon. What do you think? Go with motor, speed, size and electronics on the older Triton? Or get the slightly newer but more wet Skeeter for about the same price but with weaker motor, size, and electronics (they are both one owners)?

The Ranger was traded for a Mustang by the time I got back to him. I connected w/the Triton guy on his TR-185; the engine is actually original supposedly. The boat is an '02, but sat on the marina showcase floor for a couple years before it sold and didn't have an engine. The guy bought the boat in '04 new, and they put a current motor on it when he bought it (don't know if this is typical or not). He isn't willing to come down under $9,800 on it. The NADA is between $8,000-9,100 (low to average retail), but he is including the HDS-5 and newer recessed 82 lb Motorguide trolling motor that he put in? Also, he just had the compression tested this morning, and it came back between 135-140 (!) on all cylinders...which frankly seems almost unbelievable to me after 8 years?! He said the mechanic that tested it said a couple of them have under 3% loss. The boat hits 61 empty, and around 57-58 mph under tourney load (he said Fury prop is unreal, and he hasn't even seen any chine walk in the thing). Here's the thing, he just bought a new Z-8 (he made the local Nitro team this year), so I assume he's already out that money. I wonder if I should just offer something lower (which he said he won't take), or should I just pay the $9,800 asking price? It seems high, given the NADA, but maybe the electronics and compression boost the price? I know the carpeting has seen better days, and will likely need to be replaced in the next few years. What do you guys think? Also, I came into a spotless 2005 Skeeter SX180 locally w/ an '05 115 Merc XR6 that is mint as well for $10k flat. I assume the Triton is a better rig, but what do you guys think I should do?

Agreed.

FYI: I called on this today and found it will in-store only according to customer service.

Agreed...you want a rod that will throw 1/2-1 oz spinnerbaits AND 2 oz swim baits!?!? Maybe a broomstick will work, but I doubt you'll find any rod that will do both of those WELL.

Dobyns. Helluva rod for $170.

If you had to pick ones of these cars which would it be toyota camry, mercedes e350, acura ts, ford escape, buick rendezvous and jeep grand cherokee. Just listing out a bunch of reels is pointless. What application are you looking to use them for? Depending on your answer will determine what reel you should buy. Just off of your list, the Chronarch is the top reel, but also over $50 more than any other one listed.

So you're going w/2 baitcasters? I thought you wanted one spinning and one baitcaster? Don't get me wrong, I have both the Citica 200E and BPS PQ (and really like them both). I have the Citica paired w/a 7' M/F Vendetta ($80), and the PQ paired with a 7' MH/F BPS XPS Extreme ($100 now, but I got it on sale for $60).

Sorry, yes, I knew that...fixed the title. Does anyone have the answer?

I've seen a lot of posts alluding to the Black Friday sale @ Academy where they're selling the 50e for $100. My question, does anyone know if it works online as well? Or is it only in-store? It would really stink for those not in southern states if it was in-store!