FryDog62

I could very easily be wrong, but I think I remember FishinDad is from Minnesota?? If I’m right and you’d ever like to take a spin in my Lund PVB 1875 let me know. The 2075 with a 250 might be a better tournament option, but you could at least see what it’s like in terms of flipping, skipping and jerk baits in a bass type boat versus high freeboard, windshield multi-species boat. And since 80% of Minnesotans troll for walleyes, I get asked all of the time how well the PVB trolls... actually fairly well with the deeper V, IPS, chine, etc... it tracks reasonably well (especially with my “Follow the Contour” Lakemaster chip and MinnKota). With the lower sides than a multi-species - would I want to troll in waves bigger than 2 feet - no. You can do it but will get wet. I have trolled on Rainy and other large bodies of water in 1-2 foot waves and it did fine... and much better than any bass boat. The bow on the PVB does sit up a little higher than your typical glass bass boat, but then again that’s due to a deeper V and therefore takes the bigger waves better and has more storage room. No issue with spearing a wave at high speeds with the PVB either - which I’ve done in a glass boat before and prefer not to do again any time soon

I’m going to go out on a limb here, but I’m pretty sure the Minnesota state record smallmouth caught in 1948 wasn’t 8 lbs. No disrespect to the person and his descendants intended. The fact is, people often didn’t really weigh, or accurately weigh fish in those days. The length of the fish isn’t listed in the record books either. And think of many fishermen (probably me too ) that caught a fish that was 6 1/4 pounds (which is still huge btw) and by that night after a couple of Pfeiffers around the campfire it grew to 7 pounds... and by the time they got home Sunday night, they told all their friends and neighbors about the 8 pound monster they caught! That makes the 8-15 Largemouth caught a few years ago even more credible to me... didn’t round up and left it wide open for someone to smash their record someday with a legit 9 pounder.. Just sayin’...

These are all interesting responses because I’m typically a very early riser to be on the water before other fisherman. But seems like just as many PB’s have come mid-day or other times. Moral of of the story - I need to fish more

...Dovetailing off another thread - what time of day did you catch your personal best - or is there a general time frame you tend to catch the bigger ones?

I switched to 100% fluorocarbon about 10 years ago and came away disappointed with 2 primary things: 1) Too much stretch 2) Unmanageable A friend recommended YZH and I was amazed at how much less stretch and noticeably less rats nests. It’s a little thicker than most lines but you can easily go down a weight and still have an incredibly strong line, great abrasion resistance, flawless knots and better price than any fluorocarbon. Just about as clear, sensitive and sink rate as well. Cant go wrong in my opinion...

I have most every color except green pumpkin...

Only if it was paid for in cash

Long story but I received two of the same rod... I ordered this one 6 months ago from Cabelas. But then Dobyns closed down their facilty about the same time last year and moved their entire operations from Calif to Texas. Everything got backordered so I cancelled the order by phone and found the same rod leftover at a different store and bought it. Then out of the blue I get a call from Cabelas this week that my rod is in ?!? They forgot to cancel the order and charged it to an outstanding credit I had with them, so now I can only return it for a credit.. Since I already have that rod I’m going to buy something different but Cabelas doesn’t carry it. So I’m selling it myself. (Nice customer service huh - after all the things I’ve bought from them over the years!)

*SOLD* Anyone interested in a brand new (with tags) Dobyns Flipping Rod? $349 + tax new. I plan to list it in the classifieds for $260 but would sell to someone local for $240 cash if I don’t have to pay shipping. Details: •Dobyns Champion Extreme HP •DX 746C •7’-4” Heavy Fast Flip Action •1 piece, 15-30 lb, 3/8-2 oz.

I had planned to stay at the state park at Roy a few years ago in late April...but when I got there the cabins were all taken by turkey hunters. Two more cabins weren’t being used but being refurbished so I wasn’t able to stay there unfortunately... so best to call way ahead of time to make sure they’re available (and not being remodeled).

There is great bass fishing in Northern Minn but with the shorter growing season I think the further South you go the better chances of a state record. FWIW, the state record isn’t very likely in Minnetonka either - lots of fish but too much pressure to get much of anything over 4 pounds there..

I’m honestly not a big fan of the resort owner on Roy. They bumped my dad and I out of a cabin once for a larger group and gave me an excuse that I’m pretty sure was made up. You don’t do that to an 82 year old guy and expect them to forget about it and come back next time. I also agree with what jmhalvo says about Waubay. I’ve been there numerous times for the 14 inch walleye fest and it does get old. But SoDak is a good Spring diversion and there is some good fishing there. And - yes the KEY is going when there isn’t wind.

Another early spring option to consider are the power plant lakes near Kansas City. They stay open all year (and so does their fishing season!) and you can catch some 60+ degree weather in March/April down there. 8 hour drive... just have to get there before the spring tornado season (i.e. see Wizard of Oz) Lol..

For wacky rig: •1/16 oz VMC wacky hook with weed guard •5 inch Berkley Maxscent General or Kalins WAC-O-Worm (baby bass color). Either brand works as well as Yamasenkos, but has stronger scents, are less expensive, and more durable. •Clear wacky worm sleeve sold by Cadman’s Custom lures (much better than O-rings) Lights out!

Spinnerbaits and Mimic Minnows... and yet both still work very well..

I’ve only used a MH spinning rod once for drop-shotting and it was when the river current was just a little too much for my medium and a 5/8 oz sinker. The rod I used was extra fast with a really sensitive tip (Tatula 7-1 MH) and it did reasonably well although I wouldn’t use it regularly. It helped to use a sensitive line to feel subtle bites (10 lb braid, 8 lb fluorocarbon leader).

I replaced the line on a rod I had previously strung with 20 lb BPS XPS fluorocarbon... with 12 lb Yo-Zuri Hybrid last year. Approx same diameter lines, but I found the YZH to be slightly thinner, yet stronger (rated to 19 lb breaking strength), less brittle, better knot strength and less expensive. Where it really shines is superior abrasion resistance (especially around lay downs) and less stretch. I did not notice any difference in sink rate although 100% fluorocarbon is slightly more dense.

Was this on Shark Tank once??

No, I’m back to being the amateur that I am... just trying to find open water where I can. Are you thinking of Tablerock in March? My kids went to school in Missouri and I always wanted to get there but didn’t...

I was on Okeechobee yesterday with a guide who uses something slightly different, yet accomplishes much the same. The difference with what Tak uses is that the blade can get bitten off or lost on a snag. The one below is an integrated lure: https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Gambler_Duz_It_2pk/descpage-GDI.html I also also think the screwlock helps those soft Senkos last longer too. Either way, I agree the added blade in the brackish water really stands out.

Winters Greetings from the Big-O

For my style of fishing, I could probably get by on SK alone... or Berkley. Yamamoto a third possibility although I use wacky worms a lot and stopped using Yamasenkos a few years back because of cost. There are equally as good options out there that cost less and last longer IMO... The General, WAC-O-Worm)

Thanks guys... I’m hoping to get there. Schedule of a consultant is the unknown, but I’m already working on it

Agreed, I think after use as a frog rod, Toadface’s softer tip may be best suited for bladed jigs...

I didn’t in the Fall, but am hoping to in the Spring... and Kansas is a likely destination.