FryDog62

Braid is very sensitive when there is tension on the line, i.e. weight of the lure. However, slack line sensitivity is better on fluorocarbon since it is denser and transmits vibration, ticks, etc.

Ghost Bluegill is great if the primary forage are gills. If Perch are present like in our Northern waters then I throw a lot of Ayu and Yellow Perch - smallies and white Bass like the bite-sized Cutter 90 too??

I’d also suggest the Berkley Cutter 90 shallow. They have a ghost bluegill pattern that might be just the ticket ?

Usually #2 VMC Neko hook - I use shrink tube mostly, sometimes O-ring. Either way when I hook through the O-ring I always hook some of the meat of the plastic too. You get more surface area and the worm usually lasts longer IMO.

I started fishing a lake just outside of the metro area (Mpls) last year with much the same MO as yours - 150 acre dish pan lake that tops out at 19 feet. I wanted to figure it out, so since our season doesn't open until mid-May, I went out in April and did some scouting. Always best if you have any electronics - side imaging, 360, Livescope Aqua Vu, etc. But if not, the water should be clear then and if you can see down 10 feet you should be able to see some structure variation. With limited cover, anything in the water or on the bottom is a potential fish holding area. I've even taken a long bamboo pole with me to tomp the bottom in interesting areas to see if its hard or soft muck. Stay away from muck unless there are trees, rocks, etc but note areas with a hard or sandy bottom. Waypoint them if possible, and even after the weeds grow in, those hard bottom areas will hold fish. When the weeds grow to full canopy, the bass go in there to get out of the heat/sun - and I've had best luck with a 1/2 or 3/4 oz AT Grassmaster jig (made in good ol' Savage, MN). It is the best weed jig I've used... let if fall and slither down into the coontail until it hits bottom or close and work it back up. Target especially any of those interesting areas you marked in the Spring.

Marco isn’t bad either

I enjoy fishing, hiking and playing softball - things we can only do about 4-5 months of the year here in Minnesota. So I feel I've only lived about 1/3 of my life being stuck here... The good news that makes me only about 19 years old with many years to go! Haha, yes it is exceedingly tough to live this far north if you don't ice fish, snowmobile, play hockey, etc. Days get long and we don't get much sun light and a lack of vitamin D is not healthy. Have wanted to "re-shuffle the deck" here for years but were raising kids and then health issues with my wife and son delayed any kind of a significant move. We are nearing a decision to either live here half the year and half somewhere else where its warmer. Or, move to a state with more of a balanced 4-Season climate. We sold our house in late 2020 and are renting and doing research now... My preference is somewhere without state income tax or cities known for riots and constant protests. Both have hurt my business and I'm tired of it frankly. We'll see... hopefully something different in the coming year ~

Not really, I've used all the line combinations stated in this thread on T-wings. IMO the only thing to be aware of is if you do tie a leader on that it doesn't get past the T-wing or the knot could get caught on it and backlash pretty easily.

I am on the current backorder for the Ultra Finesse. I have heard the order should be fulfilled in March. If it doesn’t arrive in time I’m thinking of another Feather in the 7’1” Light/Fast ?

Your best price will be for a combo like the SLX... however if you buy separate pieces, I'd put more money on a better reel that won't be as temperamental and frustrate you. For $50 you can pick up a decent rod (Abu Vengeance or Daiwa Aird) and then invest in a quality $100 reel. I've seen Daiwa 100 or CT's on sale at ALFC or eBay previously in that range.

A friend of mine is a PhD Geologist and has studied the earth’s crust all over the world. Some great stories and experiences. He’s also been to Antarctica a couple times including temps 50-100 below. He has the best definition of “True Cold” I have ever heard: “When you go outside to pee through 4 inches of clothing with only a 2 inch _______.”

...But its a "dry" cold..

With an SV spool available, I'd take advantage of a skipping technique. You already have a rod for jigs, so maybe a soft plastic presentation that also skips well. I have a 7'1" Medium-Fast Mojo that is great for plastics like a Texas-Rigged weightless Senko, a tube or a Caffeine Shad. The Caffeine Shad is very versatile and maybe the best skipping lure I own (especially when on the right hook). Always have one on the deck, ready and rigged.

Scotch? huh, welcome to the dark side... Oban and Macallan in increasing years are the journey ~ If you are untested, skip the Johnny Walker's and Dewars of the world - and just start with the liter of Trader Joe's Scotch at $10.99 and work upward from there

Mine was a holdover 2016 I bought in early 2017 at a fairly good discount... with a 150 HP I think was approx $33k. I think a new Caracal I saw last year at the boat show was in the $60k range. Like the BassCat, but really happy with the Lund for the way I fish. If they were more similar in price I might consider the Caracal, but no plans at present... How you liking your Tuffy?

Same as you - Caracal

I think the biggest two toys that might get dumped when all the frenzy stops are RV's or wake boats when the lakeowners associations pass restrictions or ban their use. Unfortunately I don't want to buy either one ? guess I'll just keep my PVB.

I have plenty of braid or would spool up a reel and try it this season... curious to know. If you try it, give us a report back. Thx

I have heard that YGK G-Soul SS112 is a sinking braided line, but I have not tried it myself. https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/YGK_G-Soul_SS112_Sinking_Braided_Line_Yellow_164yd/descpage-YGKGSSB.html

In some ways yes - light, sensitive but a Fast action where the 852 is XF...

10 lb fluorocarbon for 1/8-3/16 oz jigs with 5-7 inch worms, but drop down to 7 lb Sniper when fishing 1/8 oz 4-5 inch worms.

My opinion only, but I think St. Croix makes a quality product, but their rods in MH are pretty heavy and tip-weighted. If you want to stay in that $100-150 range, I would compare Daiwa Tatula or Tatula XT, Abu Garcia Veritas, or Shimano SLX. Dobyns Fury weighs a little more like the St. Croix MH's do but is very well balanced. I think the above rods will give you the same power as a Mojo MH but lighter and/or better balanced. Might be worth your time to travel to a retail store and hold side by side and compare weight/balance/action, etc.

Either way, mine is for sale now for only $60k

I stayed at the Quarry 2 years ago and may be there for an extended period again next winter. Its a nice lake system to fish... and I think jigs are a great way to fish there. There are some rock piles throughout the lake if you can find them and at the deeper depths, drop-shots can work well there. Also, don't count out the pond by the exercise facility, it does have a few big fish in there that can be caught on wacky worms

I have a couple Phenix Feathers, both 7'1" baitcasters - one is MHXF and the other MLF. I'd say the MHXF fishes somewhere between Medium and MH, but the ML rod is about spot-on. I'm a fan of the Feathers - they are really light and sensitive rods. I have an NRX 852 and not quite that light and sensitive of course, but actually really close for the money difference.