MN Fisher

^ What he said. Personally I lean towards Dobyns and St Croix - both also have very good rods for the purposes you're looking for.

For me, long as it balances where a finger is on the grip, it's close enough. Of course saying that, it took me three tries to get the right reel for the rod I use for Neds/DS...and of course it's the most expensive spinner I've purchased. Shimano 21 Ultegra FC 1000 (JDM) on a Daiwa Procyon 7' L/F - total weight without line is 9.58oz

We just picked up a multi-mode machine and air-fryer is one of it's modes...did some chicken fingers for dinner tonight....much better than I've gotten anywhere else since we can customize the coating and not get 'generic'. Toast, broil, bake, and rotisserie are a few of it's other modes...planning on rotisserie chicken middle of the week.

I know I've mentioned several times that I'm just as accurate with spinning gear as I am with casting gear. Probably because I've been using spinners longer than BCs. It's just a matter of experience and muscle memory. Feathering is a skill just like thumbing the spool of a BC, takes time to learn and some decide to just go casting gear and never learn the skill.

That's us today, Kent - we topped out at a whopping 9 degrees.

I thought that was part of the job description...gods know I do the same to my wife.

Ya - only time I'll order something from TW is when it's in stock. Their backorder policy is for the birds - nothing ships until everything is in stock. I even tried what Tom suggested one time after 6 months of waiting - the reply I got was 'Our backorder policy is stated, we don't make exceptions'...so I canceled the one item that was still on backorder and they shipped the other two that had been in stock for 4 months out immediately.

The Victories are listed at lighter weight across the power ranges, and my 7'3" H/MF seems a bit more balanced than my Mojo 7'1" MH/F despite their listed weights being only .10oz different.

No-no-no - Ice goes on the lakes, snow goes on the ground...come on Tommy. BTW: I see you're getting a little taste of what we deal with for 5 months...welcome to the club.

YES!!! Share the 'wealth'.

I'm the odd-ball again. I did trumpet back in grade school and junior high. Switched to folk guitar which I did for about 10 years. Then found this little beauty and learned it. Don't play much anymore, but occasionally haul it out to keep the fingers limber.

Gotta love USPS - according to them, my sending has been delivered.

So you're hiding him in your basement....should have known.

St Croix's factory store is running 10% off gift cards https://stcroixrodfactorystore.com/products/st-croix-rod-factory-store-gift-card-1?fbclid=IwAR1QLsrfRtH8oeNJUepikZfh-kP6jpFRnRoi_RR1iPnDSMG8-A7IC39sGfY

I wouldn't go under 30# on casting gear...other than that, pick your poison.

I've got Abu grease and oil from about the same time - they still work just fine.

Fishing jigs for me... Last year it was a Fury 704C, 15# Tatsu with drag set to about 5# Next year it'll be a Victory 7'3" H/MF with the 15# Tatsu and 5# drag

I suppose between that and that I like using Ploppers/Choppos means we can't be friends anymore ?

Okuma Celilo Specialty B rod - I have the 7' Light and 7'6" Ultra-Light...for $40 rods they're very well made and the core of my panfishing arsenal Lews Wally Marshall Signature Series Reel - I have a 100 on the Celilo Light and it's a really good combo. A $40 reel that actually feels good If you're sticking with 4# - the 75 or even 50 size for the Lews reel would do you - and the total weight without line would be just under 9oz (3.8-3.9oz for the rod, 5.0oz for the reel) I would go with Sufix Siege for line - but that's more personal preference.

You guys down there are soft - we're looking at wind chills in the -20 to -30 range this week.

I'm sure it's happened, but I can't remember when. I've been in the same house since 1986, and other than my 4 years in Omaha courtesy of the USAF, I've been in MN since 1974.

I'll take the snow over this. Bottom line in the chart is me and @gimruis

I got around the double shipping issue by sending it to my victi....err...recipient direct from the place I ordered from.

IGFA agrees - YZH's breaking strength is well above it's 'rating' across the board. 12# is my prime crankbait line, 8# is my weighted wacky, Neko, Shakey line on BC and 4# is my light leader line and is on one of my panfish rigs. The unique mix means I don't worry about knots...anytime it's broken on me it's been above the knot, not at the knot.

I remember that one - and the shore fishing spot on the north side of the bridge too. My favorite is North Arm...ya it's a little bit of a hassle - more so when I had the canoe - but primo fishing grounds close to it.