FryDog62

I live in the land of 10,000 lakes and 10 billion pike. The absolute best solution I have found is a local bait shop (they can mail to you) that makes 2 inch leaders for any moving bait - crankbait, spinnerbait, jerk bait, etc.. Only 2 inches long so it is not very visible on a moving lure at all, doesn't weigh down even a jerk bait... And yet prevents 90% of those pesky and frustrating pike bite offs. You don't need heavy fluorocarbon line or long heavy wire leaders. These little leaders really do their job well. Call Bob at Wayzata Bait and for $2.99 get a pack sent to you (952) 473-2227. I don't work for them or any affiliation, but if you do a Google search I virtually guarantee you won't find any leaders out there less than about 6 inches and they're too big! These really work and save me a ton of dough annually on lures.

Bluebasser, so he can show me some of the finer points of fishing with the bladed jigs he made for me. I feel bad he sent me a couple great lures this last off season and my wife rearranged the garage storage. Just found them and hope to get out soon to try them out! Surprised no one mentioned fishing with me so I could lecture them on how much their favorite fishing line actually stretches !!

Most likely from a boat, depending on where we end up. May even use a guide...

I hear Lake Toho is good too, a bit farther from Ft. Myers but do-able..

Mid day I have had close calls with loons following my lure back to the boat. They are the state bird here in Minnesota and usually spooky around people. Seeing the large black bird with white spots tracking your lure up from the depths is quite startling. You would not want to catch one. Two years ago I yanked my tube to the side so he wouldn't eat it and wrapped the line around the trolling motor prop and snapped the tip off my sons pole.

Sage advice from all, thx again!!

Ok, sounds good. I should clarify if you can mention a specific town, destination, etc.. And know that my wife is awesome but wants something "she-she-foo-foo" like Naples or Scottsdale - and while she's looking for nice restaurants, I'm scouting out the nearest Bass Pro Shops and freshwater lakes, ponds, etc...

Unfortunately I know my orthopedic surgeon on a first name basis after 4 surgeries between both wrists. I really thought I was fixed after the last one, and maybe it is and I just over did it recently. But another part of my is afraid that any repetitive motion is going to take its toll on me. I hope that's not the case and plan to switch off between right/left, baitcast/spin, etc.. Wear the splint, stretch, take Ibuprofen when needed. Fingers crossed ...

I live in Minnesota and my wife and I are looking to spend a month (Feb or March) down South this year. I don't golf and would like to freshwater fish for bass. We've thought of Naples, FL (on an inland lake) or Arizona (Lake Havasu) - anywhere else we should consider ?? Want to stay U.S.

Thanks for all the suggestions.. Last night I wore a splint to bed and took Ibuprofen and it feels better today. Will switch over to more use of a baitcaster in my left hand than a spinning reel in my right. Anyone have a good suggestion for a baitcaster for wacky-worming and light plastics? Appreciate the pep talk guys... not going to quit yet

I would want to fish with Junk Fisherman (X-190) and A-Jay (Pro-V Bass) for their boats (and to get to know them better too) and Road Warrior to fish River smallmouth Tender Tubes and Phantom Hooks.

Well, I'm 54 and I've had 4 wrist surgeries including 2 bones removed. Really thought I had it fixed but now have pain in a whole new area. Is it a sign of decline, or just an irritation with rest and Ibuprofen goes away? Hope so, otherwise it's a little discouraging to think its always going to be this way and eventually get worse.

Anyone out there with significant wrist pain and continues to fish? Could be just over use, or tendinitis, arthritis, etc. What do you do to deal with it, do you continue, use pain relievers, switch from right to left hand ... or maybe a sign to give up (gulp) fishing altogether...

Budget is approx $100-150. Thinking in the range of a 7 foot MH Fast action, but am open to suggestions and recommendations - thanks

I throw 4 inch Texas-rigged Pit Boss and Smokin' Roosters a lot on the edges of weeds, pads, etc. I have a different rod to flip directly into heavy cover, but I'm looking for suggestions on a second mid-priced baitcasting rod to cast T-rigs on and around the weed edge. Looking for suggestions on length/power/action more than brand but open to any/all suggestions. Thx...

Zodias has a 1 year warranty against manufacturers defect. This was 15 months old and victim of a storage locker guillatine lid. Yes, it was a very good spinnerbait rod but my fault... Don't want to spend $190 again and always been interested in Lew's rods but never tried one. At $50-75 less than the Zodias might be the right time to try any way...

How about specifically the 6'-10" for Spinnerbaits? I like that length, but unsure about the different Lew's models for throwing spinnerbaits.

Lew's has 3 different mid-priced 6'-10" MH spinnerbait casting rods (Custom Lite Speed Stick $159, Custom Speed Stick $129, TP1 Speed Stick $99). Interested to know best value and how they fish... similar, vastly different, etc? I'm assuming the "Lite" is lighter, but are the others too heavy? The TP1 also has microwave guides which I kind of like but am not hooked on. Snapped the tip off my Shimano Zodias, so I want to replace with someone a little less expensive but maybe something as nice or nicer specifically for throwing spinnerbaits. I have Lew's reels, but have never fished one of their rods. Thanks, -Fry

I saw that posted online somewhere... looks cool although a one man versus the Japanese 2 person boats. If they made the bandit in a jet boat (and out of tin) it would be fun to take in some skinny river systems around here ...

Here's my "Minnesota-version" of the Japanese bass boats. 16 foot fiberglass tiller, re-powered with a new 4 stroke, trailer, seats and electronics. A smallmouth catching, wave-eating machine! If I pull the trigger on a new boat this fall it will be for sale soon, if I get the courage to sell it. There's something to be said for the ease of use and simplicity of smaller, versatile boats. I personally like the looks of the Japanese boats, would be great to see them in person... Interior

Been another month, just wondering any further impressions AJ or Slone re: height of front deck, and how well the hull handles rougher seas? Sometimes it takes a month or two to really find out a new boat's tendencies... Thank you! -Fry

I've considered that exact Oakley frame and lens... I haven't been that crazy about my current Oakley's but part of it is because I think I got too dark of a lens (Black Iridium). How are the Prizm shallow water lenses in either bright or low light conditions? Low light is probably more important than bright to me. And I assume they are nothing short of absolutely phenomenal for site fishing?

At $700 a pop for prescription/progressive polarized sunglasses from either Oakley or Costa... its gotta be right. I've had the Oakleys for 4.5 years now and honestly, I jus think they are "ok." I'm pretty sure the glass lenses on the Costa's have better visual acuity, but I'm with one of the posters above in that I just haven't found a Costa style I like.

Was there almost the same time you were a year ago and had similar results. I think they scatter post-spawn and are either in transition or gone deep... eventually they'll be on/near the rock humps --

Doug is with Alumacraft now and fishes primarily two boats: a 175 Competitor tiller, or a full windshield model which I believe is a 18-20 foot Trophy Sport.