J Francho

Wow! I had -2 this morning, and it was painful to be out long enough to dust off the truck.

Those don't look like Hopkins spoons Kastmasters will catch. Any spoons I use, I add a split ring, and a swivel. I tie off to the swivel. Here's a Lil' Cleo with the split ring and swivel: That makes sense.

Interesting. Last time I fished spoons in the cold, 38° temps on Erie, they were hitting spoons using 24-30" ripping strokes off the bottom. As the sun got higher, drop shot baits worked better. That was the day I caught my PB smallie.

It's what works. If you want to buy all the sizes, go for it, and report back what you find.

Chronarch, as mentioned before.

That's nuts. We're getting a deep freeze. Currently 9° and dropping.

They flutter because there's more surface area.

That all depends on what bait you're using and what the fish want. Most baits have an optimal retrieve range. Too fast, and they spin out. Too slow, and they don't reach depth. With time, you develop a feel.

Get back on topic!

I'd say you'd see longer free spool times. Whether you have the ability to use that is up to you.

Seems too good to be true. Let's hope not.

Add to the usual punishments for cheating in tournaments, you are also risking you're license, depending on the activity. Many states have reciprocity rules, as well. You lose your rights to fish in one state, you lose them in several.

You need one of these: https://www.amazon.com/Spool-Bearing-Pin-Remover-Type/dp/B00K46LQ8U I have a special set of pliers custom made for this, but unfortunately, the gentleman that made them has passed away. Another yes to the washers installed like this (). Click the link to the right for DVT site, which has all of Mike's contact info.

Patriots do seem to get teams to tip their cards early, and make adjustments. It's almost like the defensive schemes are purposefully designed to reveal this.

I've tried a few ten footers, and I just can't. 12' seems to be the ticket. There just isn't room for what I need in a ten foot layout, and it severely restricts waters, and weather conditions I can go out in. I think you can find lighter options, in a better length and layout. 97 lbs. for a 12-8 boat is really heavy. Even my tank of a 13' PBG was around 84 lbs. My current Hobie Compass is 75, at 12'. My 14' Commander 140 is 65, but that is more a hybrid boat.

I don't think we're getting any measurable snowfall.

We might go as low as -5 Thursday.

That's a lot for a 21 year old vessel.

Working fine for me. Focused on Ish right now.

I tried 20# 832 on a spinning rig, but I get wind knots way too quickly with it. The solution is to troll it out, like any other line, but it happens almost every outing. I don't see those issues with other 4-carrier braids. Power Pro seems to be everyone's default.

Lol, from Wikipedia:

You should be able to fish them horizontally. You aren't yanking them through the weeds, but sort of jiggling, and finessing them through. You work the bait until you feel a weed, and gently pop it through. A a somewhat sensitive rod helps greatly. Braid helps, but isn't a 100% necessity. I used 17 lb. mono for years before braid was available just fine.

A Texas rigged ribbon tail worm was my first heavy weed cover lure. I was amazed at where I could put a bait, back when was around 12 or 13. Rig one up with a 3/8 oz. bullet, and offset worm hook, and toss it in the slop. That's what it was designed for.

With most reels, I do not have to take my right palming hand off the reel. I just press the thumb bar with the heel of my thumb, and continue palming throughout the cast. I use both right and left hand casting reels, but prefer a lefty for pitching, since I only pitch right handed. Any overhand casting is two handed, with my left on the bottom. so I'm moving my hands around anyway. For anyone that thinks it's inefficient, it makes little difference to me. My hands are ready before the bait lands in the water. I'll get a picture. It's pretty simple.

This is separate from the drive selector. Not sure the 2001 has traction control. Mine is a 2010.