Fishin Dad

I would much rather power fish with baitcasting gear. But when taking my wife or daughters fishing, I almost always hook them up with finesse rigs (drop shot, Ned, wacky) and they do very well with them. I have even brought them to a few small tourneys and they have contributed without being very good at fishing. Even after seeing them do that during a slow bite, I still struggle to move to finesse. I too often try to force power fishing. I need to move to finesse more quickly and more often. It is just hard for me to do.

I don’t think it matters at all. Look at a Neko rig. It is hooked off the center and catches fish like crazy. I also catch a ton of bass Texas rigging a stick bait weightless. Hook it and throw it. It catches fish.

I think this concept is similar to rage rigging that was popular a few to years ago where you use a weighted swimbait hook and rig up a rage bug or similar. It had the same natural, gliding fall. It was also Weedless because your exposed it. I used to throw it a lot then got away from it. I might have to rig one up again this week. I wish I was able to make something for $.25 like Munkin. I think the idea is solid, but I agree it is a little spendy.

I have Daiwa, Lews, Abu, Okuma, etc. I also bought a spinning and a casting Piscifun. They have been decent reels. I use them on rods I don’t use very often and just to see what all the fuss was about. They work great and are a good deal. If I wouldn’t like them, I am out like $50. Throw it away no big deal. I actually don’t mind using them. I wouldn’t replace my Zillions with Piscifun, but they work.

That’s a solid day. I just got back and caught them on a frog most of the day. Also on a chatterbait and a jig. Biggest was just over 4 lbs. love catching on the frog! The bite is still not what it usually is though. Tried deeper rock and nothing. They are just not deep fish on this lake. Have tried it a couple times and nothing. Only fished this lake 3 times though. It just looks so juicy on those deeper rock piles.

I miss the good old days!!

I hate technology being an older fella, but I have ordered my MN licenses online for a few years and it is really simple. I print a copy and save another to my phone. I have been asked by DNR and handed over my phone. No worries. I think it is too bad that they don’t even allow on site sales though. For some, that is kind of a ritual and a right of passage. Not surprising though with the direction we are headed.

Bassin has been tough in Southern Minnesota. The weeds are crazy this year and I think it just gives them so many places to hide, they aren’t in their usual places yet. Most of the weeds will be dying off soon and will position them in usual summer spots. We are not afraid to get into the weeds, it is just so much and not efficient to fish in. At first I just thought it was me, but the others I talk to and fish with have the same issues.

I have found that it depends on the stick bait. Some have a larger diameter, some smaller. It also depends on the plastic. Some are more fragile than others. I usually keep both sizes.

This site is the best! I know I can come here and talk about fishing and fun experiences. The mods do an amazing job of holding members and others to a high standard of positivity. I don’t have to worry about politics, complaining, or negative ideas here. I always leave with knowledge or a story that makes me feel good. Thanks for the hard work!

If you are using a MH fast action rod, you should use fluorocarbon or mono for some stretch. If you are using a moderate action rod, braid would be ok. I fish a chatterbait a ton, and love a glass or composite rod. I actually just picked up a Daiwa Rebellion 7’4” glass and it is perfect for chatterbaits. The Rebellion is light and more sensitive than most glass/composite rods, but still has the parabolic action that helps. I have other glass (composite) rods as well and lose a lot less fish with them. I know it seems like you either love or hate glass (composite) rods. Put me in the love category.

I look once in a while for those older Zillions and they are from Japan and they list the condition as questionable, so I always pass on them. I would love to grab a couple of new ones if I could. They just feel so connected. Like you are not reeling anything, yet have total control. It is a hard feeling to describe. I do love the size of the standard tatulas as well. I am 6’3” and don’t love puny reels.

Man, you are in such good shape I didn’t think it was possible!! Hope you heal up and are able to fish those big browns. The video of that run on the calm day was awesome. My favorite thing in the morning. I don’t have that beautiful water and scenery like Menderchuck!!!!

Happy Anniversary to the Lund Pro V! You convinced me to get mine. Only on my 2nd anniversary, and hope for many more. How come just one leg? Injury?

Also make sure your intake screen is not plugged up. I have had that happen when driving through a lot of weeds. It usually clears itself, but I have had my alarm go off while driving through vegetation. I stopped and lifted the motor. Weeds had sucked up to the intake. I cleared it, let it cool down and was good to go.

Great looking boat! Good luck on the water!!!

I tie the FG 90% of the time. I agree that it is not as hard to tie as people make it out to be. I am far from a knot expert, and it is just a good consistent and reliable knot. I can’t remember ever having one fail. the Alberto is also a great knot. I use it once in a while now if I am in a big hurry. It is a little faster.

Nice fish Todd! I love northern Minnesota fishing. Mix of smallies and largies. Clear water, loons singing. …….. Ahhhhh. Haven’t been up there yet this season, but it will happen soon! The weeds in Southern Minnesota are awful!!! I am ready to fish some clean rocks.

I have a number (8) of SV reels. I just really them. They cast well, are totally controllable when skipping and pitching, and I like the size. I still love the older model zillion sv the best. I wish I could find more for a reasonable price. I like the old Zillion SV better than my new one. I know that is rare to hear.

Good for you Papa! Getting kids away from screen time and outside is amazing. Cool on the donations and relationships with police officers as well. Makes a person want to support those that donated. Glad to see the kids had a positive experience and caught fish. Sounds like a perfect day.

That’s solid. It is about 3 hours for me to Liberty Beach on the east side. We have done single day trips, but it is brutal.

Great write up Papa!!! I am still trying to figure this one out. I will often go back over a good looking area from a different direction. I still haven’t really consistently figured out the puzzle. I also try to go from deep to shallow and shallow to deep. I know current will really position fish and determine your angle of attack. But I mostly fish small natural lakes without much current. I always tell people who fish with me, I will learn from everyone in my boat. I take out beginners and they will accidentally teach some thing at times. I think that is why this fishing thing is so addicting. You can never stop learning.

Pike are horrible around here. There are a few lakes that are just nasty with them. On those few lakes, I lower my tackle quality, especially when fun fishing. Original Zman chatters, cheaper crank baits, lead weights, etc. Most of the other lakes, I just accept the losses and move on. Lost a mini max and crankbait last time out. I stock up while on sale for this reason. Thankfully, my wife fishes with me once in a while and sees this happen. That makes the packages arriving less painful!!! Remember when those pike bit us off!?!? ??

I am jealous. I wish it was only a 2 hour drive for me. I have to get up there soon.

Our spring was all crap on the weekends. Drove me crazy. I feel for ya man. It is amazing right now, but I avoid the weekends now. I don’t work in the summer. I like lakes to myself. Holiday weekends are not for me on lakes. 70 degree water temps will probably bring out the wakeboats, jet skis, and pontoon parade. Yuck