FryDog62

...Dovetailing off another thread - what time of day did you catch your personal best - or is there a general time frame you tend to catch the bigger ones?

I switched to 100% fluorocarbon about 10 years ago and came away disappointed with 2 primary things: 1) Too much stretch 2) Unmanageable A friend recommended YZH and I was amazed at how much less stretch and noticeably less rats nests. It’s a little thicker than most lines but you can easily go down a weight and still have an incredibly strong line, great abrasion resistance, flawless knots and better price than any fluorocarbon. Just about as clear, sensitive and sink rate as well. Cant go wrong in my opinion...

I have most every color except green pumpkin...

Only if it was paid for in cash

Long story but I received two of the same rod... I ordered this one 6 months ago from Cabelas. But then Dobyns closed down their facilty about the same time last year and moved their entire operations from Calif to Texas. Everything got backordered so I cancelled the order by phone and found the same rod leftover at a different store and bought it. Then out of the blue I get a call from Cabelas this week that my rod is in ?!? They forgot to cancel the order and charged it to an outstanding credit I had with them, so now I can only return it for a credit.. Since I already have that rod I’m going to buy something different but Cabelas doesn’t carry it. So I’m selling it myself. (Nice customer service huh - after all the things I’ve bought from them over the years!)

*SOLD* Anyone interested in a brand new (with tags) Dobyns Flipping Rod? $349 + tax new. I plan to list it in the classifieds for $260 but would sell to someone local for $240 cash if I don’t have to pay shipping. Details: •Dobyns Champion Extreme HP •DX 746C •7’-4” Heavy Fast Flip Action •1 piece, 15-30 lb, 3/8-2 oz.

I had planned to stay at the state park at Roy a few years ago in late April...but when I got there the cabins were all taken by turkey hunters. Two more cabins weren’t being used but being refurbished so I wasn’t able to stay there unfortunately... so best to call way ahead of time to make sure they’re available (and not being remodeled).

There is great bass fishing in Northern Minn but with the shorter growing season I think the further South you go the better chances of a state record. FWIW, the state record isn’t very likely in Minnetonka either - lots of fish but too much pressure to get much of anything over 4 pounds there..

I’m honestly not a big fan of the resort owner on Roy. They bumped my dad and I out of a cabin once for a larger group and gave me an excuse that I’m pretty sure was made up. You don’t do that to an 82 year old guy and expect them to forget about it and come back next time. I also agree with what jmhalvo says about Waubay. I’ve been there numerous times for the 14 inch walleye fest and it does get old. But SoDak is a good Spring diversion and there is some good fishing there. And - yes the KEY is going when there isn’t wind.

Another early spring option to consider are the power plant lakes near Kansas City. They stay open all year (and so does their fishing season!) and you can catch some 60+ degree weather in March/April down there. 8 hour drive... just have to get there before the spring tornado season (i.e. see Wizard of Oz) Lol..

For wacky rig: •1/16 oz VMC wacky hook with weed guard •5 inch Berkley Maxscent General or Kalins WAC-O-Worm (baby bass color). Either brand works as well as Yamasenkos, but has stronger scents, are less expensive, and more durable. •Clear wacky worm sleeve sold by Cadman’s Custom lures (much better than O-rings) Lights out!

Spinnerbaits and Mimic Minnows... and yet both still work very well..

I’ve only used a MH spinning rod once for drop-shotting and it was when the river current was just a little too much for my medium and a 5/8 oz sinker. The rod I used was extra fast with a really sensitive tip (Tatula 7-1 MH) and it did reasonably well although I wouldn’t use it regularly. It helped to use a sensitive line to feel subtle bites (10 lb braid, 8 lb fluorocarbon leader).

I replaced the line on a rod I had previously strung with 20 lb BPS XPS fluorocarbon... with 12 lb Yo-Zuri Hybrid last year. Approx same diameter lines, but I found the YZH to be slightly thinner, yet stronger (rated to 19 lb breaking strength), less brittle, better knot strength and less expensive. Where it really shines is superior abrasion resistance (especially around lay downs) and less stretch. I did not notice any difference in sink rate although 100% fluorocarbon is slightly more dense.

Was this on Shark Tank once??

No, I’m back to being the amateur that I am... just trying to find open water where I can. Are you thinking of Tablerock in March? My kids went to school in Missouri and I always wanted to get there but didn’t...

I was on Okeechobee yesterday with a guide who uses something slightly different, yet accomplishes much the same. The difference with what Tak uses is that the blade can get bitten off or lost on a snag. The one below is an integrated lure: https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Gambler_Duz_It_2pk/descpage-GDI.html I also also think the screwlock helps those soft Senkos last longer too. Either way, I agree the added blade in the brackish water really stands out.

Winters Greetings from the Big-O

For my style of fishing, I could probably get by on SK alone... or Berkley. Yamamoto a third possibility although I use wacky worms a lot and stopped using Yamasenkos a few years back because of cost. There are equally as good options out there that cost less and last longer IMO... The General, WAC-O-Worm)

Thanks guys... I’m hoping to get there. Schedule of a consultant is the unknown, but I’m already working on it

Agreed, I think after use as a frog rod, Toadface’s softer tip may be best suited for bladed jigs...

I didn’t in the Fall, but am hoping to in the Spring... and Kansas is a likely destination.

Anyone know if there is an MLF Fantasy League?

Top 5 “Newer” things (past 15 years) to know IMO would be: •Jerkbait •Chatterbait •Wacky Worm •Neko Rig •Ned Rig

When I switched hands and had to re-learn finesses fishing, my 87 year old dad said it was good training someday for my first stroke!!