FryDog62

Just survived a widowmaker event this week. Only reason I’m alive is the regular workouts that give a warning somethings not right. Stay at it all - -

Of the thicker 5 inch types of Neko worms - I really prefer the Grandebass Airtail (both the Neko worm and Rattler). Their tails actually float with the air bubble inside, and I have found many times that to be a difference maker when fishing slow, or even dead-sticking on the bottom. The heavy, saltier worms just lay flat and don't stay in that feeding/rooting around position like the Airtails do. A stand up style worm, that quivers and undulates subtly gets bit!

I groused about the winter in MN for decades and got tired of listening to me... so the silver lining with covid was it has become semi-normal to work remote. Kids out of the house, wife dislikes winter as much or more than me so we just left a couple years ago. Two months the first year, 3 the second, now 4+ months this year. I hope to get out-of-state residency this year and may extend beyond 6 months in order to get away from a high tax state with extreme temps, far from center politics, rising crime, etc. Why live cooped up any more if you don't have to. If you're not happy, change is good ~

I’m sure you’ve looked, but if at all possible try to find slack water, current seams, etc. near the current… I guarantee that’s where the fish hang out and just wait for the conveyor belt of food in the current going by. In those areas, I’d recommend most any application of plastic worms, but Ned/Neko/Shaky would be great.

Lake Rebecca just West of us near Rockford is electric only. Has a decent population of small/mid-sized musky and largemouth. Good small boat waterway at 250 acres...

Does that size come with oars too?!? ?

I was just in that area a couple weeks ago. Found a place to build on a private 400 acre lake, 15 minutes from Santee Cooper, an hour from Douglas Lake, and 10-20 minutes from 3 tributaries that go out to the ocean with brackish water and lots of Redfish. But I'd miss 7 months of winter in Minnesota ?

Yes, that same BigFoot son with size 13's is moving in. My Jeep goes into storage now, so thankfully he has his own vehicle to contend with ?

We sold the house a couple years ago, and are just renting as my wife continues to recover from health stuff. One of my son's apartment lease is up, so he will move in for 4 months to save some cash. Part of his rent is to wax and polish my Lund lol.

Haha, yes I've heard Guntersville is humbling... I have family visiting that week and may take a pass and just focus on Hartwell. Gotta learn that lake, any suggestions for maps, discussions, videos? (other than of course BR!)

Transition time for me... Lund bass boat is tucked in for the winter in Minneapolis - now its off to FLA to the kayak: Transfer tackle to Blackpak Pro storage pack Pack up rods/reels for mostly freshwater and some salt Get to destination next week and mount Livescope + First local tournament on Jan 7, another in Feb and March Friend of mine from MN has a place on Marco and new Skeeter bay boat, fish some Reds, Grouper, Snook hopefully. Toying with Bassmaster Kayak series in Guntersville, Hartwell even though I've never fished either and would get my keester kicked, it'd be for the experience. Return May 1 for some white bass before the official open water season starts again in MN.

Love this rod, great action and balance that won't wear you out all day long. And its on sale: Dobyns Champion Extreme HP Cast Rod 7'4" Hvy FLIP 746 DX746C FLIP HP. Flippin'/ Frogs/ Pitchin'. Hide Information Taper Line Wt. Lure Wt. Guides Handle Type Handle Length Stock Price Qty Fast 15-30lb 3/8-2oz 10+Tip Extreme HP Full A ***/2" In Stock: 1 $279.99

I'm not a fan of Hamm's but actually do like Brain Melt. Tonight its Woodford Reserve Bourbon with my Father-in-law.

The lake that was used for the actual "Land of Sky Blue Waters" commercials for Hamm's is Turtle Lake just north of Grand Rapids, MN... a place I fish for giant smallmouth regularly.

Ah yes, the great 2-for-1 brew... You get both a beer and a laxative in one single can!!

Cold weather fishing is a part of life in Minnesota. If its 30's/40's air temp - I wear the Fish Monkey Dry-Tec gloves below. Waterproof, Thinsulate, flexible, dexterity to cast, thumb the spool, even type a bit on your iPhone if needed. Only thing you have to take them off for is tying a knot. If its below about 35 degrees I'm just not fishing or wearing snowmobile mitts! https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Fish_Monkey_Stealth_Dry-Tec_Light_Weight_Glove/descpage-FMSD.html

I have both a bass boat and an Autopilot 120. If you are used to spot-lock on your regular boat, it will be really hard to go without it on a kayak. Boat control is key, especially in wind or current. Very frustrating on a kayak to spend as much or more time paddling/peddling to stay in position when you're trying to fish.

My rod locker holds 15. I’ve always said if I end up with more rods than that, I’m overthinking it. Therefore, I have 16 now…

If you can afford the Helix 7 MSI I highly recommend it to side image and find good structure. I have this on my Autopilot and it worked great for me last year. I was able to find some isolated rock piles that a lot of other boats never really seemed to find and/or fish. We'd all beat the bank for the easy fish, but when that bite stopped, I could always go a little off shore and pick apart the rocks and find more quality fish.

I have both models of that rod and it is one of the better at that price point. I would say the ML Phenix Feather is similar in power/action to many Medium spinning rods. The Light's rating is about spot on and a great pairing with the Curado BFS.

If you regularly throw 1/16-1/8 oz lures, I would go with the Curado BFS reel. If mostly 3/16 oz and heavier, then a non-BFS reel will be very good although you will struggle when throwing lighter. Either way, I would go longer - 6'10" to 7'1" on the rod to get some added distance without losing much if any accuracy. A lot of people think a baitcaster is a little more accurate than spinning.

Rumor has it - it was on the protected side of the marina during the storm and is just fine. Will see for certain when I get there end of this month ?

Steez SV TW. Great for skipping weightless wacky/Senkos under docks ~

I just bought the separate pole (Fishing Specialities) for my kayak and so the Livescope transducer won't be on the trolling motor for the first time for me. It will definitely be helpful to be able to move/position the Livescope transducer when in spot-lock mode! A second benefit I'm also hearing from people that you get a much better forward view with the separate pole. The reason is that when mounted to the trolling motor, the transducer has to be tilted at 8 degrees off center to avoid visual interference from the trolling motor. I've noticed sometimes with that set up on my bass boat that its hard to get a clear angle on structure, lure, baitfish, etc at times. However, if mounted on a separate pole, there is no degree offset needed and you get a clear, straight, unobstructed view. If its as good as I hear on my kayak this winter, I am definitely thinking of switching my bass boat to a straight pole as well next summer. It will also be interesting to see the difference between the LVS32 transducer on my bass boat versus the new LVS34 on my kayak. I hear the ability to distinguish cover, fish... or fish mixed in the cover with LVS34 is quite a bit better. Give me a month or two and I'll try to post my findings with that too. Only 27 days, 17 hours and 18 minutes until I leave the frozen tundra... but whose counting?!?

Funny, I've been working on it just today... getting stuff off my bass boat which is in storage now, order additional parts, etc. I am doing this in phases - Helix 7 last year, phase 2 is the Helix 7 plus the Garmin 1042 off my bass boat + Livescope Plus this year. If all goes well, I may swap out the Helix 7 for the Helix 10/360 off my bass boat next year. All in phases, but I'm encouraged to try... why not, all my expensive fishing stuff just sits 7 months of the year here in Minnesnowta. Will try to remember to post pics in January of the new Phase 2 set up...