FryDog62

I’m about 2 years ahead of you bro’ ... Have had 5 wrist surgeries and I know EXACTLY what you mean about the angle of a spinning reel. When you get a big fish on (or a snag!) it puts a ton more torque on your wrist than a baitcaster... Been an expensive process but I’ve gradually replaced all my spinning gear with baitcasting... yes, even the finesse stuff. Glad its working well for you too, good luck with the healing process and good for you for learning how to adapt!!

Anyone tried the Keen Aruba? I think I’d like the slip on type...

I think you’re right about the footbed. The part of the sandal I think soaks up the water and gets rank are the straps, unless those are antimicrobial too.

Are any of the brands marketed specifically as antimicrobial or odor resistent?

I’ve had some Keen sandals for about 6-7 years and after taking the boat out of the lake/river and onto the trailer I’d step in the water at some point. But then I have to throw the sandals in the boat for the ride home because they get so raunchy. I thought it was just Keen, but I’m thinking anything that isn’t 100% rubber is going to soak in water. Must be the cloth/nylon straps or whatever are just enough to cause problems.

Anybody recommend a good shoe/sandal that has great support/cushion, can get wet with lake/river water .... and not get the funky odor in the car on the way home??

A follow up to those that prefer jigs for bigger fish - has anyone used a “mop” jig with success for smallmouth? I’ve only used it for largemouth, but with its big profile would it work well for smb too or a bit overpowering?

The last 4 years I hoped/attempted to fish SoDak in April. Between wind and weather I made it 1 out of 4 years. Fun when it works but it is one badazz place when that wind kicks in... and usually cold/rain/sleet with it. Hard to predict, and best if you have job/family flexibility to go at the drop of the hat those few days in the spring when it’s nice. If not, it’s easy to circle a date and say you’re going... and then find out it’s better to stay home and try again later in the year..

Two questions: 1) Would the new longer rods (8-9 ft) help someone trying to get better at pitching, or would they make it harder to master? 2) If you back way off on the tension/brake would having an SV spool (Daiwa) help to prevent over-run, or do you want it so loose that you should only use your thumb?

I’m not a shill for Daiwa, but I could never... ever... skip anything with a baitcaster until the SV spool.

Should at least have a get lunch/beers, or something this spring ... could plan something or just get the locals together ..

Thanks. Any opinion on Perfect Pitch in the Levante lineup? Subtle or big difference to Orochi?

I’m like those above and primarily use spinning/medium power for wacky fishing. A couple exceptions for me when I’m heavier cover have been: • Daiwa Tatula 7’-1” MH XF. Tip on this one is really sensitive for detecting light wacky bites where they just kind of suck it in and hard to tell if somethings there. Can usually tell with this rod. More backbone than a medium power rod to get the fish out of cover. • I know you said spinning, but I have used two 6’-10” baitcasting rods for occasional close quarter wacky fishing in weeds/cover. One is Shimano Zodias Medium (but rated to 3/4 oz so between most medium and medium-Heavy rods) and the other a Lews Custom Speed Stick 6-10 MHF. Coupled with a Tatula SV reel and you can also skip fairly well with this set up.

Yes I think it’s a border line weight between MH and Heavy. Have also thought of maybe buying 2 rods - one Braillist for 1/2 oz and a Perfect Pitch for heavier. A lot of money though... what do you know about the Levante Perfect Pitch and would it be a big step down from the Orochi version?

After tying the Alberto/Modified Albright the last 10 years I’m ditching it. Why? Too many knot failures. The knot itself can be strong, but there is one key part of tying the knot at the end where you go back through the loop - the same direction - as you went in the beginning. Failing to do that will cause the knot to pull out. Most times I get it right, but in wind or bumping along in the boat, or tying in a poorly lit garage the night before... I have gone the wrong direction inadvertently. Purely operator error but it has happened to me a few too many times over the years. Switched to the FG last year and once you get used to it’s not so hard to tie. And I’ve yet to have one fail although it’s only been a year.

I noticed the new Orochi Braillist and read the specs/description. Am looking for a rod to drag 3/4oz SK Jointed Structure Heads/trailer or similar... along the bottom over gravel rock piles in 18-24 fow. Wondering if this rod would work well for this application - I tend to hesitate to buy something new and unknown, although the Orochi model has been around. Or, wondering what it might compare to?

Hope to be there a week before depending on ice out...

I found Tatsu to be one of the better fluorocarbon lines for toughness, just dam expensive. I will say I use another line more often because I find it even more abrasion resistant and better knots.... Yo-zuri Hybrid. I know not 100% Fluorocarbon but it is tougher and has less stretch than fluorocarbon. I fish a lot of rocky rivers, skip around dock posts, and also some zebra muscle infested lakes and I haven’t found any fluorocarbon as tough as YZH. A little thicker, down size a little if you need to, still extremely tough.

South Dakota does too... just make it all C&R in Minn

I have two places I want to try - a Largemouth lake near Alexandria that a guide friend of mine said has huge fish in it. Second is Lake McBride in Iowa - yes IOWA!! My daughter has a fellowship in Iowa City and heard they have big wipers in McBride. Would be an excuse to get down and see her and catch a species I haven’t caught yet... c’mon Spring get here !!

My biggest problem fishing frogs is the hook up percentage. Has anyone used Lunkerhunt Prop Frog? It has the third hook (stinger off the back) and is still weedless. I need a new frog that hooks them better !!

There is some decent largemouth fishing in southern Minn, but not much Smallmouth fishing outside of either the Mississippi (Wabasha to LaCrosse) or the Root River (more of a canoe river).

I typically use bone color for smallies and monkey butt for largemouth. But I’m not sure color matters that much. It’s the deep, rich tones of the prop that gets them IMO

It does not work even on a major cold front when nothing else worked - jigs, spinnerbaits, tubes, drop-shots. Yep, WP is totally overrated...

Very true, my post wasn’t intended to be negative on Rainy lake overall. There are a lot of quality Smallmouth there just not a ton of true trophies. However that is offset with the multi-species action. Kind of fun to cast for a bunch of 16-18 inch Smallies and snag the occasional 4 foot pike/muskie!! Lots of walleyes and huge crappies to eat for shore lunch too