Beckie Gaskill

I agree with those here who say to join a club. I've fished with several different clubs over the past few years and I've learned a ton from all of them. I've found that, in most clubs, a lot of the guys fish the same kind of style, but there are a few differences in presentations, etc., which is great to learn. If there are a couple clubs near you, it might be a good idea to fish with a few of them. There are some guys who are not going to part with their knowledge for some reason, but if you're in their boat and you ask a question, they will probably answer you. There are other guys who will fill your head so full of info. it will almost make your crazy. lol. A guide might help, too, but I much prefer to go the club route. Look around and find a bunch of anglers you think you'd like to hang out with. Not all clubs are the same, for sure.

I agree with others that a Ned rig would be a good option. Also a small tube or a smaller arkie style hair jig. And definitely lose the swivel. It looks totally unnatural and I would think it would scare away any potential dinners. Smaller line diameter can help, too. I am not familiar with the water you're fishing, but if its stained water, something like a copper copolymer (KastKing has some very reasonably) disappears in the water - at least it seems to - or clear if the water is clearer. But, fir lures, don't be afraid to go a bit brighter - sometimes that helps. Target ambush points - places where smalls can hide and wait for a meal to float by on the current. Good luck!

Such an awesome idea! I'll go with 4# myself. I've heard a lot about Tackle the Storm and I think it's a great program.

I agree about trying to get out there on opening day. Depending on the weather, sometimes first thing in the morning is best (if it's warm enough out and there's no ice!). If you can get off the water by 11 or noon at the latest, you usually miss most of the "amateur hour" antics at the boat ramp, at least.

I agree that mono and fluorocarbon need to be changed out quite often. In years that I fish a lot of tournaments, I might not even keep my mono a full year. As far as braid - mono backing is a great idea and keeps costs down. I spool up 2/3 or so with KastKing mono (which I use for my mono set ups and I've never had a problem with it). But then, on my bait casters, I never go smaller than 50 pound, and I usually spool 65. I use Fortis, too, which I think is a really good line, and not very pricey - I switched from PowerPro and I don't see a noticeable difference (other than price). The reason I don't go any smaller on my bait cast set-ups is it cuts down on the line cutting into itself on the spool. With 15-lb., if you get snagged on something and try to jerk it free, the line diameter is so small that it will cut into itself. For my spinning set-ups, I use braid with no backing. I tie the braid right to the spool and secure it with a little piece of electrical tape. The tape stops any slipping that might be happening. I use 15-pound on the spinning reels because they don't lend themselves to the line cutting into itself due to the way it comes off the spool. I keep my braid for two years, but on my reels that I use heavily I will wind it off one reel onto another so it's "backwards" on the new reel, if that makes sense. I think that is what you were saying you were doing with some of yours, anyway. When I use a fluoro leader, I use FluoroKote, which is also a KastKing product. I am not a huge fan of fluoro as far as spooling just that on a reel, but I do use it for leader material. They also have a regular fluorocarbon now, rather being coated with fluoro - I haven't had a chance to use it yet, but I would imagine it is as good a product as the rest.

George and the Moen chain are both good and they have a variety of species from northern and musky to bass, walleye and crappie. Both also have good launch ramps, which is not always the case up here.