MN Fisher

I had so much fun - we'd planned a system change-over for that weekend (I was in IT) and it couldn't be put off....so I had to drive into work all three days. Lake Minnetonka area to NE Minneapolis (University Ave/St Anthony Pkwy area)...in a RWD Sedan.

Ya - about an inch down by the lake as well...at least it's not like '91.

It gets a bad rap usually due to a 'bad wrap'...tie it wrong and it's gonna fail frequently.

Nice thing about the inflatables - they don't cover all that much of your body. I wear mine from launch to landing - even in heat that drains me...rather be uncomfortable than chance death.

Myself - 12# Yo-Zuri Hybrid on the Aird - that's what I use for my spinner/chatter/spook/plopper rig (which is an Aird-X MH/F)

I will It didn't stick - but there were flakes flying around yesterday morn.

Just one caveat - you don't get warranty support.

I've had nothing but good experiences with Digitaka - it's now my store of choice for Daiwa and Shimano.

I guess I'm a little persnickety as I re-tie all my leaders before every trip. If I need to replace a leader on the water - I go with the Alberto knot...easy, quick, fairly small, and it hasn't failed me yet.

If it's about knots - Salt Strong are the guys to trust...

Spend the money, get the Mustang HIT - it doesn't trigger on moisture but on hydro-static pressure. You can leave it out in the rain and it won't go off - but go overboard, and the pressure of the water triggers it. @A-Jay, our retired Coastie, swears by them.

I use Zebco Cajun in 6# for my 2000-3000 spinners, same in 4# for the 500-1000 size

Depending on the brand - different places sell spool pins...find the schematic for your reel and search by the part-number if it's separate from the spool. Example - Tackle Trap sells pins that fit most Daiwa spools for $4 https://tackletrap.com/products/daiwa-spool-pin-g03-4101-or-j25-2301?_pos=1&_sid=fb68a95b9&_ss=r

If you start seeing hints of your backing on a long cast - time to strip the mainline off and re-spool.

Thing is - I detest deep-fried anything.

My backing of choice on casting reels is 10# Big Game.

Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Trout, Salmon, Tilapia,etc-etc-etc - I cook all my fish the same way

You leave the reel out in the sun and/or heat? Sun and Heat are what breaks down Nylon Mono...it'll become brittle and break at the worst moment.

Butter, salt, pepper....maybe a sprinkle of crushed rosemary - then broil.

This is just this past year 21 species have been declared extinct, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says Overall since they started keeping track - 650 species have become extinct in the US alone.

If I do use a snap or snap-swivel, it's always a Duo-Lock...the Interlocks seem a bit 'flimsy' to me.

Despite having Mojos and Victorys in my lineup - I still have my Aird-X MH/F that I use for spinners and chatters. The Aird-X isn't a true F it's more a MF-F -slower than a Fast but faster than a Mod-Fast...seems ideal for those two techniques.

Simple Green for most of the parts - bearings and gears in 99% Isopropyl.

I'm the weirdo again - I'm right handed, but my left is stronger/steadier...reason I'm a righty shooting rifles, but a lefty with pistols. All my reels are set up as right-hand retrieve...and I cast with my left...no switching involved.