Vilas15

20 lb fluoro/mono is probably fine for pike up to about 25". If you know you're going to run into larger fish then I'd go wire. Bait's that pause or suspend that they can dial in on are more likely to get swallowed further and end up with line in the teeth. Anything very large or on a steady retrieve is less likely to get choked in my experience. @A-Jay can tell you about the tie-able wire he uses and post a picture of a gorgeous pike.

I only read the press release at first and didn't see in the video they shortened the butts. Should work well. My concern with the length would be trying to net a fish and bring it close, or fishing a small river with overhanging trees. But like you say it's all personal preference. If I kayaked I would definitely try these out. Can't help you now but once they show up on the St Croix website there will be a rod handle chart showing lengths.

Sounds good to me. I see you're in CT so here's what I found online: https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/Departments-and-Agencies/DPH/dph/environmental_health/eoha/Fish_/2017IfICatchItEnglishpdf.pdf?la=en

Very surprised they are all 7' or 7'6". Though they'd be shorter and have a short butt section. I don't kayak but thought that's what made a good kayak rod. Seems like they just are using it as a trial for putting Winn grips on their rods with not much else changed.

The DNR here has a great website for info on fish consumption in Wisconsin. For example, for the lakes in Madison it's advised women and children only eat one meal per month of bass/walleye/catfish and only once a week for men. The lakes get a ton of stormwater drainage from the city. Lead is really a concern for the loons that eat small lead weights, but the danger for humans is mercury and PCBs which accumulate in fish over time, so larger/older fish are worse for you. As a general rule I only eat fish from isolated lakes up north with no urban drainage or known industry pollution (most large rivers). I also eat trout from small streams although I wouldn't even do that if I was in areas with mining out in PA, WV, etc. If you're at all concerned I'd stick to panfish since they are younger and should have less contaminants in them. https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/fishing/consumption/

Similarly a Lindy rig with a leech or some plastic would be great. Ive also caught a lot of smallmouths pulling what is basically a carolina rig with livebait around 0.7 or 0.8 MPH.

Is the fenwick the discontinued elite tech smallmouth or the newer version elite tech bass? Seen many good things about the older elite tech smallmouth rods so if it's one of those I'd go with that. No personal experience with either though.

???

I was going to recommend the BG, knowing that it is a saltwater reel. But after visiting Daiwas website they also list the fuego LT under saltwater spinning reels, so now I'm not sure. I would still recommend BG for the positive things I've seen and how people have recommended it for saltwater.

Agree. I think the question is supposed to read more like "Would you use 25% off to purchase a more expensive rod or more expensive reel than you originally planned?" Like if you are planning to spend $100 on each would you rather jump up to a $133 rod or reel?

Doesn't matter. If they think it looks like food they'll eat it. A lot of the Savage Gear baits are super realistic and designed to mimic some sort of animal, but it doesn't matter if it looks like a bat/duck/whatever as long as it's got good action.

I've got a 60" on a 16.5' deep V ?

If you don't think it would get in the way of casting at all then there's no problem with leaving it up some.

Wear a life jacket, keep valuables in waterproof storage, use rod leashes all assuming you'll get dumped at some point. You're right it could be dangerous, find areas like you've mentioned or look for smaller kayak friendly lakes in the area.

If you stayed close to shore and out of the way I think you'd be okay. Just make sure to get a big orange flag and be careful crossing high traffic areas. I know Minnetonka has plenty of ski boats, etc.

I think this could be the issue if it's a bare bones boat with no motor on the back, casting deck, fuel tank, etc. If there's too much weight in the front when you're up there running the motor it could get squirrely. I'd locate your batteries in the back if they aren't already and add weight or add a rotor if you need to. Or leave the rear motor in the water and pointed straight.

This was my first thought. I don't know if I've ever seen a boat with the front trolling motor directly in the center when deployed. Most are within a foot and do fine. Just turn it until you go straight. Is the trolling motor shaft long enough that it isn't pushing water into one side of the hull instead of under it?

"two smallmouth bass, one being 10" and the other 17"" awful specific for a hypothetical scenario ? If smallmouth aren't already there then they are not "native" to the lake (not that it would matter in relation to the previously mentioned law). Anyways, I think they could probably survive.

Brand new? I'd return it if possible. Cork sealer isn't going to make it any prettier, just seal it and make it a shade darker. No experience with Winn grips.

Minnow or leach on a jighead! All the best artificial/lure options have already been mentioned.

Well if thats the case then you lose all those advantages. The only difference would the the 3000 is a bit heavier, which could be a good thing depending on what rod its going on.

3000 will have smoother/stronger drag, cast further because line comes off the spool easier, faster retrieve rate due to bigger spool, and likely balance better since the Ci4 reels are already so light. I would go with Ci4 3000 and 7' M/F.

I feel like the president 25 is relatively small spool so fluoro is just not going to work too well. I don't think there's anything you can do other than switching line. If you want to use mono I'd use Sufix Elite in 6 or 8 lb. Has worked for me until recently switching over to Sufix 832 braid in 15 lb. The sufix elite is very manageable vs sufix siege which is tougher and better for baitcasters.

Janesville is open. Gander Outdoors Locations

The one in Madison did reopen already.