5dollarsplash

That was a excellent way to spend my last few minutes at work. Nicely written.

It' happens every time I've taken someone new out muskie fishing. I try to make sure they have a cheaper bait or a floating one on for the first few casts. It's funny though when it's their own new bulldawg that goes flying.

X2

This is the case at times. I think sometimes you get a aggression strike (pi ssed fish) instead of a hungry fish. I notice in a tank enviroment that cichlids will ram and chase other fish without opening their mouths, so no intention really to feed. Like FrogFreak said, try waiting to feel the fish if you can.

I fully agree with BassinLou on this, make it a easy obvious target. As far as timing on when to throw a frog, I agree again. I may have a higher frequency of hits at dusk, but somedays it works all day. When I have my boat out I keep a frog rigged up all the time.

I'm hoping the first time out this year goes that smooth mechanically. Sounds like a good bite was on to boot. Us northerners are all jealous, even if they had been tight lipped, at least you got out!

I have a 50e curado and a Tatula R. Of course all of my practicing and playing with them has been in the yard due to snow/ice/winte/hellonearth. If I was going to use one for the applications you listed with the line listed I'd choose the 50e. It fits the hand well,lightweight, and I know it handles light line nicely. I set my brakes when I first got me 50e and haven't touched them since, and you don't run the risk of accidentaly changing them. I'm planning on using my Tatula more for jig fishing, I've been getting nice distance flipping and pitching with it, and call me crazy, but my accuracy seems better as well. I'm sure there are guys that will use this reel for cranks/etc. but I think it's going to shine in the role I'm placing it.

Although they may make a difference, I usually opt for without and add another jig to my order with the money not spent on eyes. Some prefer them some don't. That said, I have some of Sieberts with them and they all catch fish.

If it helps your confidence, use some scent as suggested by WIGuide.

His prices are great and so is the product. I'm hoping to narrow down my color selection this year to figure out what works and then order multiples of those. Mikes a great guy to do business with.

I've got Jimmy Walker in my pool at work. His name sounds like something I'd have behind the bar to bring out on special occasions. As a irishman thats enough to make me root for him.

I'm picturing a bucktail that has a tube instead of feathers. Am I thinking right pabassr? Search for Rizzo "wiz" bait. I think that might be it.

Sounds like a good deal. Sometimes we look for new things to try when we're better served going with tried and true. Hope you enjoy your new rod.

Best part of living up here is the the bass aren't targeted as much. I haven't fished that area myself, but check out Wisconsin's dnr site, if they list them in the lake they're there. Some of the maps on the site are older but still give you a good idea of contour.

I'm with ww2farmer on this one.

This was my first thought, and what I'd recommend. It'll leave you free to contemplate the great mystery of life "To leader, or not to leader?"

This is tough, because with pitching, I'd put more value in the rod. For frogs and a-rigs, you need a reliable reel that can withstand some abuse and have good line capacity. The weight of a-rig you throw will play a big part as well. I'd use a chronarch e out of what you listed, personally I use a Lexa 300 and have done really well with it. I'd pick the duckett you listed for sensitivity, but I'd look at a Avid personally. Either the H/f or MH/f depending on the weight you intend to throw. I'd lean more towards MH. If you can wait for Memorial day, you can squeeze some more out of your budget.

This is true for me as well.

Flash and movement. I prefer spinnerbaits myself, the amount of vegetation in the area plays a role in whether I use a inline or spinnerbait.

Braid is good, I like a nice heavy fast rod, but a mh can work too. When you feel the fish, swing for the fence and keep the pressure on. Don't let them have any slack. I've pulled 3lb fish covered in 5lbs of crud out of areas with that method. Keeping the pressure on the fish could be the issue if you have them on in weeds or slop.

Food Chain Tube by Power Team, I prefer the 3.5" in bedtime story or susky slayer.

I'm with Dwight. Winterkill has been on my mind a lot. Tough winter for fish here.

If Mitch has the financial stability to do so, why not have different weights tied on and ready to go? Save a minute or two tying on a new bait. I'm sure he or anyone else with a lot of gear could get by with less, but their priority is to maximize their time with a lure in the water. To a lot of peoples way of thinking, you can buy rods/reels/line/lures/etc, but you can't buy time on the water.

I've got about 7 I really like to take with. I could probably cut that down to 4 if boat space was a issue. Less than that and I can manage, I've gone out with just 1 or 2 before, but It seems I always find myself wishing I had a different rod available that was left at home.