MN Fisher

I usually have a 20oz travel mug of coffee and a couple 1-liter bottles of ice tea - re-used bottles, tea from a large bottle - along with me whether I'm in the boat or on-shore.

Got a rocking chair at home? Sit in that, rock and practice tying your knots some evenings when you got free time.

^ Brian and I share this - about 1 mile to the closest ramp on Tonka, all on backstreets....been here for 38 years (bought the place I'm in back in 1986) Mainly, convenience trumps many other considerations.

You're way younger than me, and probably have twice the eyesight I do (I'm missing one...remember)....you just need to Practice-Practice-Practice.

If I'm re-tying leaders on the water it's an Alberto as it's skinnier than a Double-Uni and not really any harder to tie. When I'm prepping the night before a trip - FG.

There's a reason the US Justice Dept basically says that Polygraph tests are inadmissible in court...they are as much pseudo-science as phrenology.

Toss a coin - they're both good reels, so it depends on how much you want to spend. JDM prices Miravel 1000 - $94 Stradic 2000s (model doesn't have a 1000 size) - $142 Another option is the Ultegra 1000 at $103 - I have both a Miravel 1000 and an Ultegra 1000 - both very good reels. Larger sizes Miravel 2500 - $101 Stradic 2500 - $145 Ultegra 2500 - $108

^ This!

I refuse to watch anything on Fox....reasons.

I was all over Fury rods until I started upgrading to St Croix Mojo Bass and Victory rods. Very sturdy and dependable.

Think Zaldain has enough screens on his rig? 4 in the cockpit and at least 4 probably 5 in the bow. Does he get Paramount Plus on that system?

No kayak, but the last year I had the canoe my prime rigs were Diawa Fuego CT-XS - 7’ Diawa Aird-X H/F - Frogs, pitching Diawa Fuego CT-H –7’ Dobyns Fury 705CB - Cranks, WPs, Spooks Pflueger Patriarch 7.9 – 7’ Dobyns Fury 704C - Jigs, T-Rigs Pflueger Supreme 7.1 – 7’ Diawa Aird-X MH/F - Spinnerbaits, Chatterbaits Pflueger President 7.3 XT – 7’ Dobyns Fury 703C - Jerkbaits, Poppers Pflueger President XT LE-30 - 7’ Dobyns Fury 703SF - Shakeyhead, Jig Worm Pflueger President 25 - 7’ Dobyns Fury 702SF - Weightless Senko/Flukes, Wacky Mitchell Avocet RZT-1000 - 7’ Diawa Procyon L/F - Ned, Neko

I'm getting there, man....such a drag.

Soon as they can get away from Fox...sure.

With 'controversy' being the draw in ratings for other shows - BASS and MLF are just jumping on the bandwagon to try and improve their own ratings.

A quick loop tied at the end and use your scale. After a while, you'll get a feel for it...I just use the scale method every now and then to double check.

Your drag should initially be set to 1/3 the pull of the weakest line on the rig. If you're running a 15# leader - then you should be able to pull line off the spool against the drag with only 5# of force. Tighten the drag as needed while fighting a fish, but return it to base when done...should never be 'locked down'.

Sink-O-Rings are on Amazon

One time out I was tossing Wackys - kept missing hooksets and the Yamas started getting torn up anyway, one even split and flew off the hook during a cast.

Only downside, Tommy, is when the bait is so 'delicate' that it ends up taking 3-4 Senkos per fish cause of short-strikes, panfish nibbling or other factors. That's why I'm moving from Yama Senkos to Yum Dingers or Zoom Zlinkys - they last longer on the hook...my budget can't take using a whole bag of Yama for 2-3 fish.

What brand is the hook your using now? Order of preference for me Gamakatsu - probably the best you can get Owner - always a good alternate to Gama Reaction Tackle - if you're on a budget, these are better than VMC, Eagle Claw or Mustad in my experience. They all have #1 EWG hooks, Gama and Owner go as small as #4 depending on the hook model.

If you're dropping to 25% charge regularly - then go with Lithiums. Lead acid (Flooded, Gel, AGM) doesn't like going below 50% charge often - it shortens the lifespan. The lithiums won't last longer per outing - you'll still drop to 25% charge - but they can handle going to 5% or less charge regularly without shortening the lifespan...so they are better in that respect. If you get two batteries and connect them in parallel - then you'll have basically 200AH - or you can just get a single 200AH battery.

Yep - and you can get the same stuff for lots cheaper. What he's selling is a 'Nasal Speculum' at 3x the price - just cause he labels it as a 'fishing tool'. Then he's taking thin-wall Silicon tubing and cutting lengths - 50 pieces for $7 when you can get 10' (120x1" lengths) for $7 off Amazon.

Small world - I dated a gal who's home town was in that area. Spent a T-Day weekend there...she was still in college (Northern Michigan up in Marquette) @A-Jay - Andy, you starting a side business?

I keep a checklist in Google Sheets with check boxes that get cleared after every trip.