FrogFreak

MN Third Crow Wing Seventh Crow Wing Long Lake (Park Rapids) Big Stony Nagel Leech Lake Island Lake Fishhook Lake

Lilly pads for sure! If there's some rock or wood around, then even better. I do love those hidden rock piles. I think I'm going to start bringing one rock out on every trip and starting my own pile.

Thank you everyone. Jsinkic they're made out ot either Poplar or PVC. PVC is easier to work with because you can tank test it early on. I made the buzz frog because I really wanted to be able to stop on a dime and drive em nuts. I hope it works. StevenSCentralOK, no plan to sell. Heck I don't even know if they'll work. I've been making one of each and after I test them out this summer, I'll do some "production runs" on the ones that catch em. Next winter will be busy again I'm sure. Here are a couple more. The Strike King Spittin King pic shows the original I was trying to replicate on top and my lure on the bottom.

Here's what I like to do. I go on TW.com and load up my cart with what I want and then I quick close the window before I buy anything. My wife just shakes her head at me.I also have a Cabelas about 3 miles from my house and I wander in there so much that I can tell the workers where to find things. They just moved stuff around and I was lost!! The wife finally had enough when I suggested we go to Cabelas for date night.

The flutter in my stomach when the alarm goes off in the morning. The first cast of the day The surface explosions! That time of the day when you've caught a few and you sit back and take it all in. The way my mind goes into "screen saver" mode when I fish. Opening up the throttle and feeling the wind. Using Google Maps at work to find the next spot to fish. Coming up with a strategy to fool em. Sliding my Kayak into a secret spot and not seeing another boat all day.

Oh that is not good news. I fish around the Park Rapids area and frequent some shallower lakes in the ole Kayak. Latest about our area: http://www.grandforksherald.com/content/next-few-weeks-winter-will-determine-impact-many-wildlife-species

I have several that come to mind from last year. I don't care what the dealer says, check your battery connections. i was all the way back in a canal with my son when my trolling motor just quit. Had to run back and took an hour or 2 to diagnose the problem. I had the boat for about 2 weeks at that point. If you don't use your windshield for much, take it off your boat. i was winging a frog when it caught on my windshield and d**n near broke my thumb. That was 7 months ago and it still hurts. When you're in your kayak, take your Oakley's off of your hat before you lay back to take a break. Or at the very least, use a floating lanyard. Just an FYI, on the same trip, my son dumped a brand new rod and reel into the lake. All in all, that was about a $500 day. Thought of one more after reading Red Earth's post below. Have the net ready. I had a 5 pounder on last year. Caught it drop shotting and it was at the side of the boat. Went to lip it and she came unbuttoned. The net was right where I left it, back in the battery storage compartment. Dooohhhh!

Here are some lures I've built to try and make the winter go by faster.

I say get a Kayak if you're unsure. No motor to worry about. I bought a wavewalk kayak (wavewalk.com) a couple years ago and I love it. I also have a Crestliner VT17 I bought new because I didn't want the hassle of dealing with someone else's problems. I'll tell you if I could only keep one, the boat would go and I'd keep the Kayak. Less hassle, and I can get into some places that are loaded with bass! Sure, it's a bit of work getting to the fishing spots but I need the exercise. The wavewalk is easy to fish out of in a standing position as well.

I bought a Crestliner VT 17 last year and it has the Lowrance X4 flush mounted in the console. I would like to mount it on a Ram next to the console so I can turn it when I'm up front. Does anyone have any experience doing this? Thanks in advance!

Might scare the crap out of the mailman!

I work in a freaking cubicle.

This year I'm going to try and accomplish the following: Let the circumstances tell me what to throw. Spend some time graphing my local lake to find the spots within the spots. Get better on a punch rig and a jig (when it's appropriate, see number 1 above) Fish further into the fall but still duck hunt Fish from my kayak more often in some out of the way places Catch a fish on one of the lures I built!!!

I have had some serious thoughts about moving south. I mean really serious thoughts.

What do I hate about fishing? Nothing. OK, maybe a couple things.... I don't enjoy the people that seem to think the boat ramp is where you should do all the little things like get your rods ready, Move your gear into your boat, etc etc. I mean you've been in line for 20 minutes, what the heck is wrong with you? I had a guy who was trolling for Walleyes all over this area in no discernible pattern and I pulled up about 300-400 yards away from him to cast into some weeds. He then comes by about 15 minutes later and was upset that I was in his area.I told him I was trying to stay away from him. I mean there was a very shallow weed island between him and I when I first pulled up.. And then he turns quickly into my path and gets more irate. Mumbled something about me not knowing what I was doing. I was on the trolling motor and he was on the big motor. It was comical. When it's windy, I usually either anchor on a windswept point or get out of the wind. Granted, I don't like fishing in the wind but I deal with it. I just don't get to pick the days I can fish so I deal with what I have.

Where are you finding that price?

I'd pull the trigger on the tatula.

Account Executive at a web development company. I ride a desk all day and look at this site way too much!

Didn't I hear that Bass have a 15 minute memory? I think PondBoss might have said that during his video.

Still building lures.....come on spring!

I would have to say that since I bought my boat last year, I have looked at things much differently and tried new techniques but the most important thing I've learned is to stop every now and then and enjoy the beauty around me. Take a drink of coffee, kick back and enjoy!

Geez, I guess I have to leave my hat cam at home now..... How embarrassing. I guess I could sell it to get more new fancy lures

Just to be sure, I think I'm going to stop using hooks on my lures!

Power Pro for me 65 lb.

I've been in the market for some budget rods and I can't seem to pull the trigger on any of the Abu rods. Too many folks have reported breaking them. I own a Veritas and I love the weight and feel but I'm not sure about the durability yet. I got it late last season. Here are a couple options you may want to consider in the under $100 category: Daiwa Ballistic or Aird Shimono Sellus Berkley Lightning Shock Powell Diesel St. Croix Triumph (Cabelas carries them) I just don't think you need to spend a bunch on a topwater rod. Sensitivity isn't as big of an issue since it's a visual bite. The action of the rod is more important here. If you're just talking poppers, I'd recommend a moderate action and a medium power. While walk the dog lures will require a faster tip. I use a MHF rod for walking myself. Hope this helps. It's just one man's opinion but I do throw topwaters a ton!!