MN Fisher

Ya - just loosen it a bit and you don't even have to take it off to pull line out for leaders. I've got my 8# and 6# InvizX spools set up that way cause they're the leader material for my spinning rigs.

Morning trip with a local guide whom I've interacted online for a few years now. Rain off and on all day and we actually were chased off the lake due to some lightning for a bit. But back out we went. Neither of us caught anything substantial even though he could see larger ones on his sonar...they ignored my Shaky and his Ned. Pretty slow, half dozen for each of us with my first of the day probably being the best of the day at almost 2#.

I use these things - $17 for 25 of them Beadalon 25 Piece Spool Tamer Set

I dunno - they've only been in business since 1970 in South St. Paul. MN (my metro area), so they might not be {/sarcasm}

Seen Lzzy's vocal for a Lindsey Stirling piece?

Garmin and MinnKota don't play well together. MinnKota TM - Lowrance or Humminbird sonar. Garmin sonar - Force or Kraken TM. Otherwise you'll drive yourself mad(der).

You could always find a bazooka.... If there's a bite window on Tonka, I've yet to find out when it is.

I use Cals on my gears as well as my Drags....light touch with the grease, don't need to gob it on.

I'd stick with a CA-80 for $10 more. MagForce (not Z or LC) brakes, aluminum frame, 80 size spool. I have one and it's really a good reel for the price.

Never braid for treble hooks. Topwaters - 12# Yo-Zuri Hybrid. It's pretty close to neutrally bouyant, has a bit of stretch and it's tested strength as measured by the IGFA is actually 19.5#

Both St. Croix rods I ordered off Amazon were drop-shipped from Park Falls, WI and came in solid tubes.

With Omnia Pro I get several maps to choose from - these are all the same 'frame' Navionics HD Contour - shows the humps C-Map Social Vegetation C-Map Bottom Hardness Water Clarity So basically I just gotta select which display and not have to change apps.

No - Lake Minnetonka....which while further down the central region list in prior years, has occasionally made an appearance.

Did Minnetonka make the central list again?

https://www.digitaka.com/items/4/4/2/TATULA+TW+(New)

Fresh fruit, Bolthouse Hi-Protein drinks, Gatoraid.

Considering they're close relatives of the Wolverine, it's not surprising.

This shows locations and a list of state run fishing piers throughout MN. Counties to work with that are fairly close are Hubbard (Park Rapids is the county seat), eastern Becker, southern Beltrami, eastern Cass, and southern Clearwater. files.dnr.state.mn.us/maps/water_access/fishingpier_map.pdf Also look for any state parks in the area - they almost always have shore fishing opportunities. Not sure which lakes in those counties are smallmouth lakes

Try and stay in touch, Tommy...and fight the good fight.

Flipping is when you're targeting someplace that's reachable by only the line you've got pulled in your off-hand. Pitching is when you're targeting someplace that requires the reel to let out line. Both 'casting' motions are identical...a pendulum swing of the lure to get it moving.

Find: mid depth areas (8'-12') near weedlines. They'll be near the edges or just inside...trying to hide from the bass/pike/etc Techniques: 1: Light jigs (1/16-1/32oz) under a bobber at a depth about midway to the bottom to near the bottom. Tip the hook with a number of plastics. 2"-2.5" minnows (Berkley Gulp, Big Bites Crappie Minnow, Bobby Garland Baby Shad), Creature baits (1.25" Berkley Gulp Stonefly, 2.25" Bobby Garland Mayfly), or the old reliable Mr Twister 2" Teenie Tail. You can also use those same plastics on a Drop-Shot. #4 hook, 1/8oz weight about 2'-4' down from the hook...just jiggle it out there and SLOW drag.

Sent a donation to the Red Cross to help them help the victims. Wasn't a lot, considering my financial situation, but every little bit helps.