sodaksker

What part of the river will you be on? How big is your boat? I think the fastest waters of the missouri are about 5-8 mph between omaha, NE and gavins point dam in yankton SD.

I got tired buying bass baits, so I decided to collect some musky baits this winter. Some of these customs are unbelievable. I am afraid to throw some of them.

Nice musky there. I'm guessing 32-34". They get pretty fiesty at that size. I hope get into them pretty good this year. I saw several 50 plus inchers last year. I plan on boating several this year.

I too saw the "Day on the lake" episode where Randy Howell broke off a lip from a pointer. I was amazed at the air time they gave it. It was like they were really trying to emphasize the fact the LC bait broke. As for me, I have never had lip break on an LC bait, but I did buy a pointer once (from BPS) that would not walk. It always went to one side. I took it back to BPS and they gave me a new one.

I just finished watching "Bass Edge", The past two episodes they have been having knot wars. The palomar knot has yet to be defeated. This week it beat the "trilene" knot, I can't remember what knot it beat last week. The knots seem to work fairly even on mono but, when they go to braid, the palomar edges them out.

I think you can buy a new BPS Rick Clunn reel for less than $75. Is it just me or is the Citica the size of a grapefruit and weigh like 5 lbs? :-/

At that price you can't go wrong. I have one that I mainly use for spinnerbaits. It will cast a mile. It is a nice little reel for the money. I on the other hand can backlash the @#$% out of it.

Since I am only 6'2" (that's 5'10" without the fro), short rods mean one thing, TOPWATER!! I was having trouble with my "walk the dog" type baits because I would always have the tip of my rod hitting the water. Not any longer with 5'6" custom pistol grip from Reel Mech, paired up with a fuego with sufix braid, its a topwater killer.

That's pretty simple. It works for me, too! 8-) x 2

Bond with my kids through fishing. New PB on largemouth, smallmouth and musky get 1st win in a bass tourney.

I hear that. I can bet Ice out on some of the northern lakes could be later than 4/15. Count me in for Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota, as I fish all 3 states. This pic is from 4/22 last year.

I am not familiar with the snakes but, would lend my experience with the manns hard nose baits. I bought several packs of lizards and frogs last year. I like the hardnose concept as it does hold your hook better and the bait does not tear up on the front end from hook sets. The down side I saw, is the added weight the "hardnose" added to the front of the bait. If I wanted to fish them weightless, they would not have a "slow" horizontal fall, instead they would nose dive. Not a huge problem but not one that I liked with my frogs and creature type baits. On the up side, I suppose it is like having a 1/16th oz weight pegged to your bait.

pointer 128, color pearl ayu

You must have drew all good boaters They really must have done a number on you. Just curious....were they ranger owners?

usually "there's one", sometimes "talk to daddy"

Have you found any dates or specific locations yet? What tourney trail are these on? Twin cities would be on the outer limit of where I might want to travel. Are any of them in southwest MN?

I know you were asking RW but, I will offer my opinion. The Ika does ok going through light vegetation but, when I need it to fall faster in current or get through the weeds. I will add a nail weight to the end of it. I always rig mine "skirt up" with the nail weight in the bottom. Then it remains vary weedless and snag free in the rocks. good luck.

Where are the locations in MN, What are the dates? Rob

quote] I have several falcon boxes and they keep waer out much better, the problem I have with them is that I dont think I own one that doesnt have one of the latches broken on it. But I do think they are definitely worth the money.

KB, Nice looking baits. Are you painting with an airbrush?

Me Too. I just have to win some, so they have some fear :-[

I used to think my taste in bass baits were getting expensive. Then I started musky fishing . Wow, there are some great customs on the market. I'll have to post some pics.

Great smallies. Those had to be a riot to cacth. Fantastic fish for Wisky. Thanks for the details on your catches too.

I too am buying into the theory that the low viz lines get you more bites over the braid lines, but maybe it has nothing to do with visibilty at all. Maybe it has something to do with the way the lines travel through the water. Maybe the braid is noiser or creates more disturbance in the water ahead of the bait. I notice on occasion that my braid lines when laying in the boat and the wind hits them just right, they start to whistle..more so than mono or flouro. Just thinking out loud here but, maybe it has to do with vibration more that visibility.

Hats off to the 2 of you!! Great win and story...and of course..sweet boat. 8-)