DogBone_384

Have you ever fished one? I like them and generally buy them when on sale. I use their ‘20 KLX 6’9” MF casing rod for jerkbaits and wanted a spinning version for winter fishing. Kistler doesn’t have an “off the shelf” version so I had one made for little more than the casting version. Yes, Kistler rods are expensive, but like other members already said, it’s a free market and everyone can make their own choices. I wish Kistler good luck. The more American companies stay in business, the better.

While the weather wasn't great today, I packed the waders and a couple rods and drove to Hedges to see if the ice was gone. Yes, it's gone. I waded to the NE corner where I rarely miss. Nothing on a couple different jerk baits, nor a Damiki blade bait. I caught two SMB and a fat YP on a watermelon/red flake Rage Menace on a 3/16 oz. head. All three were roughly 1 1/4 - 1 1/2 pounds. I'll take it for New England in late February. I also caught 5 tennis balls that were VERY shallow, against the shoreline. There must be dog fish here ! Wind was roughly 15 mph from the SE, with plenty of rain. Air temp was 40 degrees. I didn't have any electronics, but wading along the shore, I'd say the water was cold. It was late in the 9th inning, but I got my February fish to stay on track to catch a fish in open water every month of the year. I'm sure gonna be back there tomorrow. If you feel like a long drive, I'll be at Hedges or Snake Pond tomorrow afternoon for sure.

Saturday’s supposed to be WINDY from the SE. I’ve never done well there.

Drove down route 3 and found the Hedge's north shore fairly open, but not open enough to launch. Crossed over 'the bridge' and stopped at Snake Pond. Snake was 70% open, but like Hedges, 'open' was still inaccessible. I'm sure a couple more 40 degree and sunny days will get us there. @Mr. Aquarium pointed me to the Agawam River, in Wareham, so off I went. I threw a variety of baits over three hours and came up with nothing more than dead weeds, wind knots, and 8# fluorocarbon wrapped around my prop. At the least I got 'the jist' of the place and will likely return later in the season. Water temps at the launch was 43.x and as far north as I travelled was 44.x. Winds were about 15 mph from the west and air pressure was 30.1. It was clear and sunny. All in all a nice day to explore a new spot, unfortunately I couldn't get any fish to play. It's supposed to be WINDY on Cape Cod Saturday, but calm on Sunday... If any of you get out, look for an ORANGE Toyota Tundra or old, GREEN, Honda CR-V parked at some Cape Cod water: that's me. Both have BassResource decals on their butts...

If you're talking about Flax pond in Nickerson State park, I've had decent luck there. Most recently, I fished it in March and May, 2019. I caught one rainbow in March and 3 SMB / 1 LMB in May. I've never fished Yarmouth's Flax pond. I'm heading to Cape Cod today, and possibly Saturday & Sunday. Not sure if I'm taking my kayak or boat. Today's forecast calls for lots of wind. Best of luck to those who get out this weekend!

I have a Elite Ti2/9 on my bow and Elite Ti2/7 on my console. They’re connected by NMEA 2K and share mapping and basic sonar between units. I called Lowrance and they confirmed that down & side-scan sonar isn’t shared between units. If you’re asking if you can swap mapping cards between units, yes, you can. I use my 9’s card in my kayak’s Hook5.

I’ll be there then too.. enjoy your trip! Might just look at a guided trip too.

Yep, they plain-ole work. I have my best luck with Damiki and Binsky brands. You should find plenty of tutorial videos on YT. I always have one tied on during winter. Best of luck.

Thank you. It’s been great so far.

Did you try a blade bait? That’s the only thing that works for me when the water temp goes below 40 degrees.

‘17 with approximately 20 hours. $14,500.

Congratulations on your new boat! I, too, bought a Ranger RT178 last year and so far love it. I bought mine used, with a 45 pound trolling motor, and you're right in upgrading it.

Since the wife worked today and everything NORTH of the Sagamore bridge is locked up I packed up my ice fishing gear and walked onto Hedges pond in Plymouth after lunch. A couple had some tip ups on the north side when I showed up so I worked the south/south east corner with 3 tip ups and 3 ice rods. Ice on the southern side was 4 -5". My coworker came down with his kids, which is a lot more fun than staring at tip ups, so we made a bunch of holes, checked the depth, and tried the best we could to catch something. We didn't catch anything and the couple there before us pulled up three yellow perch and a SMB while we were there. They must have had better shiners than we did. This was my second time ice fishing, so I've still got a lot to figure out. By 4:30'ish, the northern ice was a little sketchy, so I packed up and left. A couple seagulls had my shiners for dinner.

I often let myself ruin trips. Whether it's just a bad start to the day, or problems that arise during the trip. Luckily, my wife's good at reeling me back in and reminding me to enjoy the good bits.

Absolutely. Fishing Rhino and I fished only once together last year. As long as the "great Commonwealth" opens it up for rentals, I'm in. I'm sure I could convince Mr. Aquarium and a coworker to go too. I wonder if the state would pick up on my motor if I took the 70 off the cover and replaced it with 25 !?!?!?!?!?!?

CONGRATULATIONS! That's WAY more important!

I use Gerber knives and multi-tools. Some of their stuff is still made here in the 'States, so that 's what I buy. Gerber also gives discounts to Police, Fire, Military.

I just took this off On The Water's website... It looks like ice fishing time! "Hardy New Englanders took to the South Shore in hordes over the weekend, according to Pete from Belsan Bait and Tackle in Scituate. With good surface ice, it made for some odd couples as fishermen were having their traps triggered by errant hockey pucks. Reports were that the fishing more than made up for the occasional false flag! The bass bite was good with some talking of 4-pound Larrys and pot-bellied perch. If there ever was a sweetwater fish that doesn’t get the respect it deserves in these parts, it’s the yellow perch, but catch a 1 1/4-pound jumbo all ablaze with spawning colors and you’ll be likening it to a northern peacock bass – sort of! Anglers had warm-water species action on Jacobs Pond, the Norwell Bog Ponds, Lilly Pond and the Widows Walk Golf Course pond. Some have targeted trout successfully at Little Pond." I'm packing my shelter, auger, and tip-ups and looking south for Sunday afternoon... Anyone interested, drop me a PM. Thanks, though it looks like they're gonna bounce right now!

I buy my JDM stuff from Japantackle.com.

Everything within an hour of Boston is locked up. I fear this last cold spell locked Cape Cod up too... ?

Who'd have thought a Z-Bone would get you just two boxes of hollow points! ?

Kistler returned my email this morning. Their reply was such that they source blanks that meet their specifications. If that means a better rod, good. Regarding comments on their price increase, anyone buy ammo lately? Secondly, Kistler has sales throughout the year. I buy them when they’re on sale.

I bought a few Kistlers in December, including two customs. They all say MADE in USA. I emailed them asking where the new blanks are sourced from. It doesn't make a difference to me if the new blanks are outsourced. They're great rods and made in Texas.

I drove to Goose Pond and found the same. Hopefully Cape Cod stays open. I've not caught my February fish yet and everything within an hour of me is locked up... We'll see how it goes. ?

I can't guarantee I'll catch anything with it, but I'll let you know how they cast & swim... ? I'll leave the catching to @Mr. Aquarium and @Saltysmalljaws...