5dollarsplash

I'm not adding it up, I'm just too scared. Looking at this thread makes me realize how bad cabin fever hits our wallets, so to avoid getting hit by SHE WHO MUST BE OBEYED, I quickly hide/destroy receipts.

Either this or someone stole his clubs......I'm guessing they are some nice sticks, that bag is worth $250-450 by itself.

My ML with a 50e is set up this way and I love it. With a bait your going to dangle in their face the extra confidence of the flouro is nice to have. I don't know if its necessary, but I feel more confident in it, and THAT makes a difference.

I believe I have all of those on one reel or another. I don't think it makes a monumental differance, if any, to my catch rate. Clear water folks may have different results, but I use what I find on sale, or, what is easy to see if its for a technique that requires a more closely watched line.

And now you know, and as GI Joe says, knowing is half the battle. The other half is knowing which to rig for what plastic and getting the fish to bite it.

Biting my tongue on this, but I'm thinking you can guess which way I feel strongly about it.

I've mentioned it to people when I've personally seen people harvesting illegaly. One lake died out a few years ago locally and one guy and his wife tried to repopulate it by harvesting fish from other lakes and moving them in their livewell. Guy got a pretty good fine for his efforts. People fishing for walleye fillets are the worst, every darn fish they find no matter the size. The lake I've had the most success with big bass on had been stocked with trout about a decade ago. I think its a big contributing factor to the size and quality of fish there, even without stocking for awhile, it probably gave the bass a nice base to grow from. Plentiful forage can be tough when freezing out is a yearly battle.

I like guinness, what line do I need? It's overwhelming at first but well worth learning. Once you narrow it down you'll walk right past 3/4 of the selection to what you believe in. Easiest for me is braid, 832 or Power Pro, depending on what weight or volume of line i need. Everything else? No. I've got a copoly I like, a fluro, and 2 mono's I'm trying to decide between. Read up, this sight is great for that, and if it doesn't work for you try another. Its fishing line, not a marriage, shopping around is allowed and you can always toss it out if it doesn't do what you want.

The lady friend goes with most times. If its a lake I don't know and I expect a long day of working on casting technique she might stay home. As far as friends go, the ones I've brought along fishing, the friendship seems deeper. Fishing is MY time, and I think they realize that by taking them along, they mean something to me. Now I feel all sappy, thanks.

I'd play musical reels, but theres several feet of ice on the water so I need something to entertain myself. In seriousness, whats been said is spot on. I'd use the MH for your jigging and the M for plastics. Use whichever is rated for the appropriate weight when using your other lures.

Mike at DVT is excellent. He built me a great rod last year, all function no pretties, right to spec. If you know what your mounting to it he does a great job with balancing it as well.

Mark nailed it. Its a balancing act with pike/muskie, do I want the bait to look good? Then no leader. Too expensive to lose? Leader. Whats a acceptable loss will be up to the individual.

It got me in Madison Wi, not too big of a surprise, I'm guessing there aren't a lot of Wisconsin cities on the list lol.

Good to see more people from the upper midwest! Welcome aboard!

Both good options listed above. Never hesitate to listen to A-Jay's advice, he's a clever fellow.

With the moderate, I'd agree with Jrob78. Small pop-r's and the like would be my bait of choice, along with shallow running cranks.

The lexas are a nice option and can be found cheaper used or with sales. I use a 300 and just ordered a power handle for when I know I'll use bigger baits and want it.

I use mine, like others have said, for small jigs or trick worms. It works and balances well with a 50 size reel, everything else on it felt wrong to me. 20lb braid with a leader to suit the presentation your going for and your set.

Are realistic lures better? Well, as others have said they can be. Like Norcal said, I believe confidence in the lure makes a huge difference. Soooooo........ If you believe they will help, I believe they will.

Yes, Both, Your Welcome sir.

I'll third the power team lures guys. I've been very impressed with them, I have bags full of others, but find myself giving them to the girlfriend or other anglers in the boat and using the ptl myself.

Bare hook with a skirt tied on

They just spelt it wrong on the DMV. It was meant to read "GO BEERS"

Welcome! I hope hard water season is treating you well.

It has. Tough for us both FlyFisher, but good games. I think we're in for some of the best playoff games in a long while.