FryDog62

I think there’s a natural evolution many fishermen go through and I’m no exception: Like a lot of people I tied the uni-uni for years - Then I switched to the Modified Alberto/Albright after seeing it beat the uni-uni on Knot Wars and because it’s smaller in diameter - - Then after just a few too many failed Alberto/Albright knots (okay way too many - a flawed knot IMO) I switched to the FG Knot. The FG Knot is a little harder to tie and overkill - but it is smaller and stronger than the above knots... and once you master its not that bad to tie. And anything that is that strong at your weakest connection point is worth the extra effort. A Lot of people don’t like tying an FG Knot because they have to hold with their teeth, so use a Hook-Eze tool:

I will be trying three rods this year for that application: •Dobyns 744c •Kistler Helix MH •MB Orochi Perfect Pitch Give me 45 days when our remaining 2 feet of ice finally melts and I’ll tell you which I prefer...

I would say either Tatsu or Sunline Sniper... if price is an issue then Sniper wins out. If you want something with even less price, less stretch than fluoro, tougher and a tad better manageability then try Yo-zuri Hybrid ... it’s a good and less expensive transition from braid/mono to fluorocarbon.

Use these, they work way better than o-rings... the worms last much longer, easier to put on, don’t need to mess with a tool to put them on either. http://cadmansjigs.weebly.com/wacky-worm-sleeves.html Or if you want to Texas Rig and have the Senko last longer, use screw lock hooks like these. They are actually what Gary Yamamoto uses himself (yes, another company's Hooks). 5/0 balances a 5 inch worm for a perfect horizontal fall: http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Owner_Twistlock_Light_Hook/descpage-OTLL.html Or same thing only weighted: http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Owner_Weighted_Twistlock_Light_3pk/descpage-OWTL.html

With all of our cancelled fishing plans for this spring, I think whoever suggested a Minnesota BR get together had a good idea. At least we could share ideas, or commiserate... ... maybe at least have a casting contest inside the Braemar dome or something

I hear ya, I cancelled my reservation last week and the guy just laughed and asked me if I wanted to ice fish instead. It’s got to be hurting the local businesses over there to some degree although there’s rarely anyone fishing before mid May outside of the big well-known walleye lakes. Walleye is king in SoDak too. I love golf and walleye fishing - - keeps thousands of the unworthy away from my favorite bass fishing spots!!

Whatever is cheapest! Although this year it might be 8 months snowmobile and 4 months watercraft - -

Perfect...

I’ve had every bit as good of luck with Berkley Maxscent General and Kalin’s WAC-O-Worms... except they are more scented, less expensive and last longer than Yamamotos.

Yes, I said I typically use 3/8-1/2 oz weights in 12-24 Fow. Here was their response: Thank you for contacting us. If you want to use for drop shot, we recommend NAC-BF6101M/DI. This model was developed for such a finesse fishing. The rod action is faster than normal NAC-BF6101M. NAC-T681M/SI is Top water rod. The action is totally different. Best regards, Hamano Major Craft America corp.

With one vote for the 6-8 and one for 6-10, out of curiosity I sent an email to Majorcraft. They said either of rod could be used for drop-shotting but the 6-10 more so, and the 6-8 action was more designed for topwater.

I personally think they are good rods in the small/medium sizes. The blank just gets thick though when you get into the MH and Heavy sizes. I received a new Carbonlite 2.0 in a 7-3 Heavy as a gift that retails for $120, returned it for the same size Tatula XT for $100... like it better and saved some cash.

Do you see a preference for the 6-8 or 6-10 rod? I typically drop shot 12-24 fow, 3/8-1/2 oz weight, 7 lb Sunline Sniper..

Wondering if you have the 6’-8” rod or 6’-10” ? If I could find an SV105 for a decent price and the right gear ratio I might do the same set up.

Comparing the rod weight of two possible frog rods: •St Croix AvidX 7’-4” Heavy (listed online at 5.0 oz) •Dobyns 7’-3” Mag Heavy SA 735C ?? Interested in rod weight as well as any other input on these 2 rods.

Was he using casting gear, curious what reel he was using too? Thx

Looking for recommendations for a -casting- reel to pair with my new Majorcraft Don Iovino Signature Series finesse rod for drop-shotting. I’m thinking the reel needs to be light, small and very palmable. Would like recommendations for options in the $100-200 range. I like the specs on the Lews Team Lite Speed Spool but it’s $240 and a little more than I want to spend... Thx

Yes, but the 6 lb YZH stretched less than the 8 lb counterparts in my testing as well. And doesn’t soak up water and stretch more over time. Trilene XT is thicker and soaks up water affecting its stretch too. I’d take 6 lb YZH in a stretch test over any 8 lb 100% fluorocarbon.

I did a line stretch test a couple years ago, tested 20-30 lines... mono, co-polymer and fluorocarbon. The lowest stretch lines were Trilene XT and Yo-Zuri Hybrid. However, once wet the mono soaks up water and stretches more. Yo-Zuri Hybrid does not soak up water and was the lowest stretch line in the test once all the lines were wet.

I know... I was there April 20-21 last year. Beautiful, glassy calm, mid 60’s, literally no one on the water. Obviously not going to happen this year, but I remain optimistic to get there at some point hopefully before the season opens in Minn.

With the new regs to go up to 10’foot rods... a few manufacturers have come out with telescopic rods. One is Wright McGill another is Veritas. Wright McGill is one HEAVY rod... have no idea how someone could fish with it from a fatigue standpoint.

Wasn’t it 4-5 years ago Mille Lacs still had ice on it for opener and it was basically cancelled... I remember a week later the wind came up and some sheet of ice went across the road and hit some houses... Man I hope that doesn’t happen again!

Is it really visible above water - and invisible under water? I would consider using for wacky worms/plastics instead of main line braid with fluoro leader. Any real world experience with this line?

For stained river water I’ve had great luck with Yamamoto “Blue Pearl Silver Fleck” which is basically white with flecks. Also try Kalin’s in “Baby Bass” it’s mostly green but has a white underside on it. I have found that worm to work really well in both clear and murky water. The white stripe is subtle enough in clear, but really shows up in stained water. Great garlic smell and salty taste (goes great with beer;)...less expensive and more durable than Yamasenkos too. Probably 90% of the hundreds of smallmouth I’ve caught in the rivers in the past 5 years have been on those two colors... the biggest fish too.

For smallmouth in rivers I use primarily wacky rigged Senkos on 1/16 oz VMC wacky hook with weed guard.