MarkH024

New rod for 2014 Dobyns 766c, Smoke HPT100, 50# PP yellow and Siebert brush jig, Siebert Punch skirts, or bare plastic of choice alone. Rage Craw, Lobster, Havoc Pit Boss, Smokin Rooster, SK Rodents are my usual varieties. Thinking about a Hawg handle possibly as an upgrade and maybe a set of bearings.

I use the Mustad Denny Braurer flipping hooks. I switched from Trokar because they destroy the plastics way to fast for my liking. I still have a few which I'll use up at some point but won't be purchasing them again. I always snell my knot as well for flipping/punching.

It's a nice frog. I don't use it in really dense pads. Reason being is the front of the lure catches the pads and it flips or gets hung up too often. I like to use it in sparse pads or channels cut through them and around the edges. It's great for open water too over submerged weeds, especially at low light.

This is my drop shot rod. I have it paired with a Ci4 2500. Super light and plenty of backbone. I think you'll love that rod.

That's hard to believe you didn't boat a Ski at Eagle. The two times I've been up there we've had 20-30 follows each trip. Seeing those big torpedos coast right up to the boat makes the knees weak. Such a cool experience. First time in 2008 we boated 8 musky and the second time in 2010 we boated 6 or 7. You should go back! A good population of 50+ in that lake. The biggest for me and to date is 45". Still awaiting my first 50+.

Thats a beauty LC Man. Congrats on that shovel head!

First, Welcome to BR! I wouldn't get overly hung up on the color of top water lures especially frog type baits. Bass are looking up and more times than not, they are just seeing a silhouette above them. I like to look at the belly of the baits so white/yellow in the day hours and brown/black in the evening or low light hours is what I go with. If it resembles something they eat, they'll eat it. Your best bet is to get something natural looking to start with.I have the grey/black bird lure. It's a decent lure but I would have on a quality frog before the flip n the bird lure. The bird is not as soft as I'd like it to be and I like my hooks spaced a little further apart. Totally my preferences.. Here are my favorite topwater frog/mice: Koppers LiveTarget Frog Koppers Live Target Field Mouse River 2 Sea Spittin Wa KVD Sexy Frog

I believe I was thinking of the trailer rating....which makes sense to me. Thanks for catching my error.

You know, I'm not 100% certain why that number popped in my head. I just looked up the dry boat weight of the R73 and listed at 1150. So with fuel, gear and trailer 1500-1600 maybe? Heck...I'm curious now. I will say this, for a small trailer that it is, it is heavy a hell.

I have a 2007 Ford Explorer XLT 4x4 V6 and I tow my Ranger R73 (17' Glass ~1600lbs with trailer) with no issues, granted i'm in the Midwest and it's generally flat here. The only time it struggles is in really hilly terrain. Being that you're in San Jose, you may want to consider your terrain and step up to something with a V8. Being that you're looking at an aluminum boat you will definitely have a much lighter rig than what I do. I don't have any knowledge of the Grand Cherokee so I can't help you there. Also, get a 4x4 for the slippery launches. It'll come in handy.

Invest in GREAT hook cutters. Don't skimp on them. It's more important than any lure, rod, or reel you might invest in Musky fishing. Next, plan a trip to Eagle Lake, Ontario. Welcome to the Esox addiction.

Try calling them direct. 800 543 0774

That's a neat jig. very nice! What is the size and weight of it?

Yes

1/16th

Who ever has that plate should automatically be Governor of WI.

Welcome! Says the guy who raised a Packer fan....

http://www.overstockbait.com/SearchResults.asp?Search=yo+zuri&Search.x=-445&Search.y=-161 Pretty good deal on YZH line here.

I'm assuming he meant in the bottom like the hydro boxes so any excess water will trickle out.

You going to the Schaumburg show? I'd like to sit in on Mercer/Zona if I can swing it. I was at the Ike seminar last year. Last year I didn't see many deals at the shows like they used to. Everything I looked at in interest was still selling at retail pricing.

If you don't want to use that, cut the heads off of q-tips and drop them in every other spot in your box. The cotton will absorb the moisture. I've been doing it for years and never had any rusty hooks in my boxes.

Go with a reputable brand at the price point that suits you best. No need to buy a $200 reel if you end up hating it. Don't psych yourself out on backlashing. It happens to everyone from new to pro. It will certainly happen to you a number of times. You will just need to practice and you'll get the hang of it in no time. To minimize your headache start with a line diameter of 10-12lb mono equivalent, whether you choose to use braid/fluoro/mono. If braid I'd suggest 30-50# to get started. The other big factor is to look into the braking systems. Me personally, I like Centrifugal brakes like Shimano offers. Set it and forget it and they're simple to adjust on the spot. I have used straight mag, and it's ok but not my preference. I've used dual and I'd prefer dual over just straight magnetics for the fine tuning you can do.

I'm a fan of Zara Spooks and R2S Rovers.

My SUV was like waking up a hibernating bear. It barely turned over.

Currently -17 and -42 with windchill. Quit your complaining.