FryDog62

Catt is right, be sure not to cross the line as you tighten it... it should cinch up easily and uniformly. That being said, I did switch to the double shindo knot 2 years ago and it has been flawless, maybe strongest knot overall. It also eliminates the big loop you have to pass the lure through on the Palomar - which for a single hook isn't a big deal, but with a larger lure like a chatterbait, jerkbait, etc is a pain when you're out in the wind/waves trying to tie and not get all the hooks tangled when passing through the loop.

Contrary to conventional wisdom, the issue to prevent pre-mature tearing of a wacky worm is that you need to hook more surface area. Too many people think that you put an O-ring on and just run the hook through the ring and not the worm. When pulled by the fish, the ring tightens and stretches and tears the worm just like a hook would. The better solution is a plastic sleeve or shrink tube (see Cadman’s jigs “Wacky Worm Sleeves”). You not only hook through the sleeve but also meat of the worm too. This extra surface area through both worm and sleeve spread out the strain during the fight with a fish and last much longer than a simple O-ring.

Racked up some more panfish today... makin’ lemonade out of lemons

Agree with Gimruis and we do have outstanding lakes and rivers to fish. But it’s kinda like having a hot girlfriend you only see for about 5 months each year...

In reality, the season is closed to protect our State Fish, the sacred walleye. They are the least fightin' fish but arguably the best to eat. Their spawn is over by May, but that is why the season is closed until they are done making more future fillets. Meanwhile you can fish sunfish, crappies, etc... but not anything of size like a bass, pike, etc because the lures you throw for those might accidentally catch a walleye too and that could set in motion a domino effect and cause the Vikings lose their 5th Super Bowl you betcha...

Check that, Wisconsin has already been open for catch n release for a couple years now... I know dozens of Minnesotans that have been over there fishing several times already. Meanwhile, we’re just making lefse and tapping trees for syrup here in Minne...

Hard to believe - it was 72 degrees and sunny here in Minnesota today, it’s mid-May and yet, bass fishing is still out of season and illegal in the “Loon” state. Thankfully the fishing season “Opener” is in 2 days and we’ll finally be able to fish for everything (except muskies for awhile longer). Is any state in the union this restrictive? 11,000 lakes just sitting there staring at us, and yet the days will start getting shorter in only 38 days and eventually start icing up again in only about 5 1/2 months... Ok, rant over... will string up the rods tomorrow and move forward ?

I think it’s a broad range, but for whatever reason I have had a lot of luck in the spring and again in the fall at the magic water temp of 53. Could be coincidence, but I never try to miss it now -

Prior in MN, and Waubay in SD?

I typically throw Spinnerbaits on 6.4-7.1 and buzzbaits 7.1-8.1. I like to get my buzzers on plane quickly after casting so they don’t sink. So yes, I think a 7.1 could work reasonable well if you’re looking to buy one real for both.

I've fished the Veritas Winch before and it was decent, but have you fished the new Abu Garcia Winch model? Wondering how its different - is it just grip, guides, etc or is the action a little different? The Veritas only comes in a Medium-Moderate, but the Abu Garcia Winch comes in both a Medium-Moderate and a MH-Moderate. The action may dictate which rod for me (Squarebills, 1/2 oz Lipless, DT-10's, etc). Thx

I'm potentially in the market for a crankbait rod for throwing squarebills, 1/2 oz Lipless, and medium crank baits like a DT-10. Looking for suggestions in the $150-250 range. I prefer graphite and not glass, maybe open to composite... I came across online review for the newer Abu Garcia Winch (not Veritas or Vendetta versions) this one: https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/catpage-ABURODS.html?from=basres The review talked positively about its Moderate Composite action being very good to keep fish pinned - and how light and balanced the rod was. Does anyone have some real time on the water with it and can provide feedback? Am possibly thinking the 7 foot Medium or MH. Again, open to other suggestions too. I like the specs on the St. Croix Victory 7'2" MH-M, but have read mixed reviews so far.

I don’t think there’s a more beautiful site than a pontoon parked next to a dock in 3-5 fow and the motor trimmed all the way up... You have an expanse of 5 feet between the two pontoons to skip the weightless plastic of your choice way back in. Let it sink slowly... count 1, 2, 3 and set the hook!!

Both good quality rods, I found the SC to be a bit tip heavy and the Dobyns better balanced. Have not used an Avid in some time, but it just seemed heavy...

I agree with this... only exception is if you need to detect bites on slack or semi-slack line or on the initial fall... then I think the denser fluorocarbon will transmit bites better than braid.

I had a couple different lighter Simms gloves but each wore out in about 3 months. I switched to Fish Monkey full finger Guide Glove and am on my third year with them. They are starting to fray, but since they’ve held up so well I plan to get another pair.

In late spring before our Opener - sunny calm days seem to attract and fire up some of the bigger white bass if you can locate the suspended schools. A blast to catch, pound-for-pound strongest freshwater fish IMO.

Sometimes braid/fluoro, other times just straight fluorocarbon/co-poly. If I run a leader, the knot is in front of the T-Wing...haven't had a problem.

I had a Curado 70 on my jerk bait rod for 2 years and it was average to above average performance overall. But lighter, high profile lures like jerk baits can be a pain to get distance, especially if you throw any smaller sizes like a Cutter 90 which I do. The Curado was good but I personally think struggles with lighter lures so I sold it and bought a Tatula Elite. Its been almost a night and day difference for me, the Elite easily casts 20-30% farther, much less effort, very smooth and controlled. For a guy with elbow tendinitis, this has been a really significant upgrade for me. I also use the set up occasionally for smaller squarebills, Mepps spinners, etc. and works well with those too ~

Best frog rod might be out of your price range but is an ALX Toadface. It has a MH softer tip to throw lighter frogs and "walk the dog" action but has a Heavy mid and butt section to pull fish out of the slop once hooked. Great hybrid rod. Not sure if the SLX will achieve the same action but that's what you want to achieve IMO. 7'2" is also l a little longer than you wanted but I know guys with yaks that have them.

It is my crankbait line, have always used it specifically for that. Fairly strong and thin enough to get the lure down to the desired depth. I also use it for light Texas-Rigging and when fishing flukes/tubes. Occasionally use as a leader if fishing braid/wacky rigs for largemouth... probably a tad thick for smallmouth in clear water.

Deep jerk baits?

Here in the North, its debatable if you even need a leader for largemouth. They aren't the sight feeders that smallmouth are. That being said I usually do tie on a leader if I'm using braid as a mainline - 8 lb YZH for lighter/finesse applications and 12 lb YZH or 15 lb Abrazx for docks, jigs, flippin', etc.

Where sensitivity in baitcasters comes in handy for me are: Medium action b/c: Shaky head, got to feel that bottom for contact, composition, etc. I prefer a baitcaster once hooked to pull the fish away from cover. Medium action b/c: Neko rigging - having the nail weight exposed slightly helps detect the rock pile you are targeting. Medium Heavy b/c: Texas Rig when bouncing off cover and maneuvering around the "junk" Medium Heavy b/c: Dragging a Biffle Bug, Dark Sleeper, Football jig, or Carolina rig across flats, gravel, chunk rock... Heavier lines are better on baitcasting set ups IMO. I tend to favor extra fast rods in those situations, but at least a quality fast action rod. Finesse and sensitivity can definitely come into play with baitcasters too. Much is personal preference and confidence, so if you prefer spinning ok to stay that way too ~

Especially cool that he caught it from the bank and not on a fancy boat with 360 Imaging or Livescope ?