Vilas15

Boulder Junction is a nice area. I don't fish any lakes right near there so I don't have any specific advice. I would second picking up a book on the area lakes. It would be a good head start. Google maps shows there probably isn't any access from Boulder to the other lakes, but it's real easy to trailer 10 mins down the road to any other lakes. I will say that if you plan travel down to Trout Lake since it's close, there are some things to be aware of. I've never fished it for bass, but water is extremely clear 15'+ and it is super low density in terms of biomass so the muskies/walleye are few and far between but can get big. Could be worth a shot for smallies in May but after that forget about it, they'd disappear into the depths and it's so big you'd never find them.

Chronarch MGL line capacity is only 12/110, 14/90. I would just use electrical tape, or maybe 10 yards of mono.

Frabill Conservation is the best I've ever used. Coated bag so it's good with hooks, maybe not quite as good as a huge rubber net but the hooks can't pierce the individual mesh. Twist the handle and pull to extend it. Used for bass/walleye/pike. The flat bottom is nice so the fish are pretty secure once they're in there.

Only baits I'd use are probably a 1/2 oz red eye shad or maybe a 1/2 oz spinnerbait. I'm going to experiment fishing deeper this year but plan on starting with a 3/8 oz dropshot, maybe someday a big football jig like @PourMyOwn with something like a hula grub.

Used to live in Sandwich and remember going there as a kid!

I fish musky like this. Floating cranks with a big lip that protects the hooks allows you to crank into the weeds and let if back out if you don't crank into them too far. Allows you to make sure you are fishing just above the weeds the entire cast and maybe attract some attention when you bump into them.

Yes. I'll even put old line on a new reel the very first time (backing). It will never see the light of day if you've got enough line capacity. I'd use a double uni knot for similar size lines, or alberto if you're going old mono backing to braid.

Got some drop shot weights to try it out for the first time. Lunker City 1/4 oz and 3/8 oz. Planning on using them with swimbaits, flukes, maybe even live leeches. Don't have any dropshot specific baits but they'll come eventually.

Trying to stay focused on finishing a graduate thesis knowing that once I graduate I've got a few weeks off in May (primetime in WI) before starting work. It's torture.

Lengths can be +/- a couple inches for personal preference 6'8" ML/XF Spinning (ned rig/dropshot/anything for walleye) 7'0" M/F Spinning (Tubes/senkos/smaller swimbaits) and pick 2 of these 3: 7'0" M/F Casting (Jerkbaits/Lipless/Swimbaits) 7'0" M/M Casting (crankbaits) 7'0" MH/F Casting (Jigs/Any bigger pike baits)

North of Madison right off 90/94 at Highway 19. Yes Farm and Fleet is still there too.

Just got Fleet Farm in Madison ?

Trying for panfish, walleye, bass, pike? If you're not on a spot you know has fish based on past experience, then start drilling holes and find them.

Lund 1650 Rebel with a 60 Merc 4s. Does a little bit of multitasking with bass, musky, walleye, pike, crappie. Top speed is a blistering 31.9 mph (GPS of course).

Saw a Bass Pro commercial where they said something along the lines of "we stock all the best brands". Made me laugh out loud. Sad they've gotten rid of the Cabela's Bargain Cave where you could find some real sales even in the online version.

Id try a football head. Start with a 3/8 oz maybe? Edit: This may help

Currently sitting at -19 F here in Iowa with a wind chill of -47 F. It can only go up from here...right?

HG has the power handle, PG has the double paddle if i remember right. Seems thats the opposite of what most people want, occasionally you'll find people wanting to trade.

Thats for trolling a crawler harness/spinner. A regular Lindy rig might be a bit more castable. But even that is basically a carolina rig with a different shaped sinker.

A good suggestion, but I can't wear sandals for more than 3 months of the year.

The Eyecon is only $120. Carried by BassPro and Cabelas, and if they don't have it stocked just order to store and try it out. Return it if you don't like it. Trust me the bass don't know it's a "walleye" series ?.

I updated your post to apply to literally everything in life, cars, clothes, food, hobbies. Everyone's got their reasons for spending what they do. Some do it for status, some appreciate the smallest advantages provided by higher quality (pros), and some just enjoy it.

St Croix Eyecon walleye model ECS70MM is a 7'0 Medium Moderate rated for 1/4 to 5/8 oz. And if you'd like to spend a little more theres a legend tournament walleye LWS70MM. If you want glass there's the Legend Glass LGS72MM. You're right out of all the other St Croix spinning lines there no moderates, especially not in the ones aimed for bass.

Do they have an example of one from that mold they can show you to compare? The 1/4" of length shouldn't matter at all but an inch of girth might make a difference in how it looks. If it's not close enough then look at some other companies.