Vilas15

I dont use it currently because it is more expensive than mono, can be damaged when tying a knot if its not lubricated or using the wrong knot, and gets deformed when you pull on a snag unlike mono that rebounds and doesnt lose strength. Im considering putting 6 lb fluoro on one rod for finesse stuff in clear water because it sinks which would be better for light jigs and is more invisible than mono in water.

You'll be overwhelmed when everything looks like it could hold fish. We would joke that a random rock pile or island with no fish on it there would be the prime spot on a lake back home that every boat would hit. The tough part is determining what sets spots apart. Big steep solid flat rock shorelines did not have any fish when I was there 2 years ago in late june. The smallies loved the broken rock shorelines with rock the size of basketballs. Channel-like areas that could see some current due to winds seemed to have fish of all kinds. We caught mid 30 inch pike on bass baits so be ready for that. Have your pliers and hook cutters ready and learn how to handle big pike/muskies/walleye if you haven't before. Not as simple when you can't lip them like a bass.

Sounds like you need two boats!

Please share a link if you've got one, I'd like to check it out.

Never seen that done with 2 talons and a kicker. Usually two totally different types of fishermen who want talons vs who wants a kicker. Not to say it couldn't be done but you might be on the right track looking custom. Most people on this site have never seen a kicker motor so you may have more luck somewhere like walleyecentral focused on northern fishing especially being in Minnesota.

They're useful for ice fishing as a different option compared to a flasher/sonar for even better detail on when the fish actually bites after staring at your bait for 10 mins.

Id put the very bottom of transducer just below bottom of the boat to guarantee solid contact with water coming off the hull but it would not be low enough for a leading edge to catch and create lots of drag and spray. Like this: https://sportfishingbuddy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Diagram-showin-ideal-transducer-mounting-height.png?ezimgfmt=rs:300x600/rscb2/ng:webp/ngcb2

Transducer looks way too deep to me. Bottom of it should be barely below the hull. You've got the top of transducer set at bottom of hull. Probably throws a big rooster tail now. Also if you do anything with adhesive, 3M 4200 is removable, the 5200 is considered permanent.

Love the rk crawler. Catch everything on them banging them in the rocks.

I was going to mention this as well. I checked my spare in my car one time before a road trip and it was supposed to be at 60 psi but was less than half that.

Nothing like the anticipation of a big trip like that. For me it's been lake of the woods Ontario the last 2 years but family happenings mean I'm sticking to a more local musky trip in september this year. The long drive goes quick on the way there due to excitement, and quick on the way home rehashing all the catches and stories.

Sorry youre right, fish kill. So plenty of big adult bass. Tons of healthy smaller bass. Tons of forage. What exactly are you worried about?

Sounds like they're experiencing a population and growth boom by taking advantage of the lack of competition from older larger bass which don't exist after getting wiped out from the winter kill. They'll keep getting bigger in good numbers until they take out too much of the forage. Then things might turn the other direction in a bust cycle. If it were me I'd keep a few in an attempt to level things out and reach equilibrium faster. But that's all just my amateur opinion. No actual experience with pond management.

New for 2025 from Bass Pro. It appears Johnny Morris might have purchased the company Biobait and are making it their own? I might try the paddle tail bait both for fishing and throw one in some water long term as an experiment to see what happens. "Break down faster than traditional soft plastic baits" is a pretty low bar to clear since traditional baits don't break down at all. I've always thought its strange how comfortable most fishermen are with throwing what is effectively trash into the water. If they catch fish and actually break down like they're supposed to I'd become a customer. Even if it takes a while I bet it could help prevent fish filling up their stomachs with plastics off the bottom of the lake.

Rust isn't contagious. You're not "introducing rust to the new baits". Keep the water out and you'll be fine.

Why do most new boats I see have black or dark dark grey interiors? It's less of a concern up north here but it still gets hot for a month or two. I can't imagine having black seats and sitting on those after they bake in the sun down south. Are the fabrics something new that dissipates heat well? I can at least understand the look of a black exterior so long as you're up for the maintenance to not let it be covered in water spots, but the full blacked out boats inside and out are wild to me.

They are notorious for not hooking fish well. Not sure any of the knockoff versions have solved the problem but it's a possibility. Cant ever let the pressure off otherwise you're in trouble.

Thats the gill rakers. They'll get you every once in a while and they're easier to avoid on bigger fish with more room in their mouth.

Never heard of that happening with a leader that long. Gotta be the bait choice. Too small and a probably sitting still between jerk/pull/twitches allowing them to line it up perfect and get the whole thing at once. If it's a bait that swings out wide maybe the leader ends up next to the bait instead of out in front of it. Better change something quick before he kills a few more fish. You don't even hear about this happening with live bait and some guys waiting minutes to set the hook (which you shouldn't do).

If you end up over in Vilas county I could help you out with some info. We fish a 16.5' Lund as well and it's perfect size for those lakes. I also went to ISU but for grad school.

Too light. I use 15 lb 832 on spinning reels but won't go less than 30 lb on baitcasters. I dont need the strength of 30 but the 15's just too thin and has the problem you describe.

Something about LVD... Jeff Van Remortel guides up there. I can only guess this one came from there. I've caught one natural tiger that was only 28" I believe.

Knocked our skeg clean off on a reef in canada 2 weeks ago. Insurance is paying for a new lower unit. Wish I lost a side plate instead!

I have heard parking it overnight with a cover is worse than uncovered because they can slip underneath and grab all your electronics and gear without anyone noticing. Park near lights and if you use a cover maybe get some sort of motion alarm to put underneath as well.

3 spinning, 2 baitcasters. 1 for panfish/trout. 2 for musky. So 8 total. I haven't bought any in a while and think I'm set unless I break one.