FryDog62

I have both models of that rod and it is one of the better at that price point. I would say the ML Phenix Feather is similar in power/action to many Medium spinning rods. The Light's rating is about spot on and a great pairing with the Curado BFS.

If you regularly throw 1/16-1/8 oz lures, I would go with the Curado BFS reel. If mostly 3/16 oz and heavier, then a non-BFS reel will be very good although you will struggle when throwing lighter. Either way, I would go longer - 6'10" to 7'1" on the rod to get some added distance without losing much if any accuracy. A lot of people think a baitcaster is a little more accurate than spinning.

Rumor has it - it was on the protected side of the marina during the storm and is just fine. Will see for certain when I get there end of this month ?

Steez SV TW. Great for skipping weightless wacky/Senkos under docks ~

I just bought the separate pole (Fishing Specialities) for my kayak and so the Livescope transducer won't be on the trolling motor for the first time for me. It will definitely be helpful to be able to move/position the Livescope transducer when in spot-lock mode! A second benefit I'm also hearing from people that you get a much better forward view with the separate pole. The reason is that when mounted to the trolling motor, the transducer has to be tilted at 8 degrees off center to avoid visual interference from the trolling motor. I've noticed sometimes with that set up on my bass boat that its hard to get a clear angle on structure, lure, baitfish, etc at times. However, if mounted on a separate pole, there is no degree offset needed and you get a clear, straight, unobstructed view. If its as good as I hear on my kayak this winter, I am definitely thinking of switching my bass boat to a straight pole as well next summer. It will also be interesting to see the difference between the LVS32 transducer on my bass boat versus the new LVS34 on my kayak. I hear the ability to distinguish cover, fish... or fish mixed in the cover with LVS34 is quite a bit better. Give me a month or two and I'll try to post my findings with that too. Only 27 days, 17 hours and 18 minutes until I leave the frozen tundra... but whose counting?!?

Funny, I've been working on it just today... getting stuff off my bass boat which is in storage now, order additional parts, etc. I am doing this in phases - Helix 7 last year, phase 2 is the Helix 7 plus the Garmin 1042 off my bass boat + Livescope Plus this year. If all goes well, I may swap out the Helix 7 for the Helix 10/360 off my bass boat next year. All in phases, but I'm encouraged to try... why not, all my expensive fishing stuff just sits 7 months of the year here in Minnesnowta. Will try to remember to post pics in January of the new Phase 2 set up...

We cold weather fish in Minnesota much of the year - spring/fall. I use these any time its in the 30's-40's air temps. Waterproof, with a little bit of Thinsulate. Can do most anything in them - cast, thumb the spool, lip fish, even type a little on your iPhone. Only thing I can't do is tie a knot, so I take them off for that. I HATE the cold and these have extended my season for 3 years now, still in good shape ~ https://www.fishmonkeygloves.com/product/stealth-dry-tec/

Unless I'm skipping a lure I don't prefer the Tatula SV TW either. Once you switch to something like the Tatula Elite, you realize how much effortless distance you have been missing out on with the SV spool. It has its place, but I only skip with a couple rods. Elite casts easily 20-30% farther and I don't backlash it any more than I do the SV TW.

I have a Decoy as well and its awesome. I use it primarily for 3/8 oz jigs, sometimes up to 1/2 oz footballs, and anything Texas-rigged. Sensitive, great action to keep fish pinned. Really would like to try the new Enox Aura BFS rod, but not sure Santa has my new address...

The two longest distance reels I have ever flung are a Daiwa Tatula Elite and Shimano Antares. Distance is key when trying to get a Carolina Rig in the right position across a long submerged point or shoreline. Gear ratio does matter when setting the hook at the end of a long cast to pick up line quickly and keep the fish pinned. I use 8.1:1. I got frustrated at times with even a 7.1:1 and 7.3:1.

I use a Zolo Dragger pretty extensively for football jigs and Carolina rigs. Excellent rod for both. It’s 7’4” which I like, although if you get bit at the very end of a long cast, sometime a few extra inches of length/leverage could help getting a good hook set. But then again, a longer rod when throwing a ball and chain can be cumbersome too, so it’s about right for length. The solution for me has been switching out to a 8.1:1 reel to help pick up line with bites at the end of a long casts.. I have an Enox but not LSB so I can’t comment there other than the Enox is a great rod to fish with.

The story I've been told is that there was never was an age limit where you didn't need to buy a fishing license in Minnesota - whether you were 18 or 118 - you had to buy. Then a few years back apparently there was a WW2 vet (who was 90 at the time) that said the hell with the rule - I served my country and if I want to fish, I'll fish whether I have a license or not. The guy was a well known local and the DNR knew his story and refused to write him citation. He'd done his service and was at an age that it was just a blessing to still be able to fish. That story had legs and word spread, and before you knew it, a bill was passed in the state legislature that said if you were 90 or older (need not be a vet) that you didn't have to buy a license anymore. Although anglers are still subject to daily catch/possession limits (reportedly something that particular 90 year old WW2 never did adhere to).

Are there many (any) lakes in TN that a 25 pound bag is still somewhat common? I've only heard from a few guys I know who say with all the pressure its getting very rare. Still sounds like a lot of good water there to me...

WInd knots are bite too... I launched my first Vision 110 a couple years ago. It got about 20 yards out and SNAP! Not sure its landed yet or just orbiting around the ozone layer somewhere ~

The key is moderate stretch and at long casting distance...will not weaken the line. Versus a short distance and pull so hard you deform the line, that will!

I noted the same thing in a post a few years ago ~

I pre-stretch my fluorocarbon main line early every season... or if a reel sits for an extended period of time. Tie a swivel snap to the end of the line, affix to a fence or similar, walk back a full casting distance, pull line moderately tight for 1-2 minutes. The swivel gets any twist out, the stretch reduces coils, then coat with KVD once reeled back in. I would think that would work to cut up leader lengths too, although maybe overkill.

I've had several "fluke" set ups over the years, but believe I have my best yet. I use for flukes and also Caffeine Shads, always on my deck and #1 fish catcher for me the past 5 years: Daiwa Tatula Elite Ehrler 7'0" Medium-MH with extra fast tip. Taula SV TW. The SV spool because its such a good presentation to skip under docks 12 lb Sniper

I have both those rods and when you get into the 1/4-3/8 oz range you go with ML. It fishes like a lot of medium power spinning rods IMO. When you want to throw 1/16th oz hair jigs, 3/32 oz Neds... go with the Light. Anything in between like 1/8 oz would work on either rod...

Fake news - they found a couple Volkswagons stuffed in its belly ~

My project this Dec/Jan is to transfer Livescope from my bass boat to the Kayak for winter fishing down south. I fished with the yak last year with only a Helix 7 and its incredible after you get used to FFS to go without it even on smaller waters. Whether you see fish or structure, you just understand the body of water better.

My mom got together with a bunch of the other 1st grade moms when I was a kid... as soon as one guy got chicken pox - they would have a get together with all the boys at that kid's house. That way we'd all get it and be done with it... Now we'll probably all get Shingles together too ~

Anyone used these angled crates from yak gadget? Curious how many 3700 boxes the size large or small actually hold? Looks like easy access when you turn around to grab things. https://yakgadget.com/collections/storage-accesories/products/lowpro-crate-xd

My wife just recovered from Shingles last month and it was not pleasant. She was unvaccinated. However, when she got it, her doctor put her on an Anti-viral med and she was over it in a week. A couple friends of mine had the Shingles vaccination and the side effects were almost as bad as what my wife had for only slightly lesser duration. I was set on getting the vaccination, but her experience has given me pause if an Anti-viral can clear you up IF and when you get Shingles. If I knew I was going to get it then yes get the shot, but I might not either and/or can treat it then. Hard to know ~