MN Fisher

They're all over and they get decent size - MN state record is 35lb3oz.

Unless they do beach-skiing Thing is...these yahoos aren't pulling skiers...they're just out joy-riding.

Tonka is a very busy lake to begin with...but when the morons decide that the 'no wake zone' buoys are spaced just right for slaloming through...well...

Can't directly compare gear ratios...examples from reels I use BC: Pflueger Supreme 7.1:1 - retrieves line at 29 inches per turn of the handle Spin: Mitchell Avocet RZT-3000 5.4:1 - retrieves line at 29 inches per turn. My President BC with a 7.3:1 ratio hss the same retrieve speed as my President XT-30 spin with a 6.2:1 ratio

I hold my spinners with the stem between the pinky and ring finger. Gives me a good grip on the rod, and I just have to point my index finger out to either feel the line, or 'grab' it when casting. Also balances well too, at least with my rigs.

That's what I do - except it's my left hand as I'm a right-reeler even with spinning.

For lighter cranks as well as small jerks and poppers - I'm running an Okuma Reflexions A 7'0" ML/MF. It's done very well for me and is lure-rated to 5/8oz, so pretty hefty for a ML. Unfortunately, the A-series has been replaced by the B-series and the equivalent is 7'2" - so direct from Okuma or from TW is out. There are a few still out there. https://www.tacklehaven.com/products/OKUMA-REFLEXIONS-RODS.html https://www.fishermanswarehouse.com/product/okuma-reflexion-spinning-rods/127664 The model number is RZ-S-701MLA

I use it on all my lines - FC, Mono, Braid and even YZH.

Actually - Big Game and YZH are lines well recommended here. I run 12# YZH on my crank-rig and 4# on my ML/MF rig (panfish and small cranks). I'm a fan...it's never let me down. YZH isn't a mono - it's a copolymer with a different manufacturing process than other copolymers.

Ya but those two are odd-balls that I think are rated low. I know that 12#YZH actually tests out to 19.5# as rated by the IGFA

Or InvizX if Tatsu is out of your price range.... or you don't get gifted some from a generous person.

There's a JB Weld for everything

Heavy wire hook jigs I don't go below 15#. Go with a good FC line and it'll be close enough to invisible to make up for the larger diameter. Can you see the bottom where the jig is fished? Is it weed free even down there? I'd leave the guard on - never know when you might cast into some heavy weeds.

You say not over $150 - but the Sierras at $180 retail would fit your bill...wait for November sales and you can get it as low as $135 SA 700SF - 7'0" - 1/16-5/16 lure weight - 2#-8# line SA 701SF - 7'0" - 1/8-3/8 lure weight - 4#-10# line

Freshwater Drum

What's depth perception? (only one eye makes DP a thing of the past)

Whole towns crop up on the ice around here. If it's both, I hope they're not closely related.

He and Kya still getting along?

Maybe Tonka is the same way. My best of the last few years is the one in my Avatar...caught near mid-day, blue-bird skys, little wind. Weird.

If we could get Chris ( @FryDog62) to actually report, we'd have a plethora of them.

Due to various scheduling issues due to factors including Covid - I didn't get out much...maybe 4 times from shore and the same number in the canoe. Numbers - way down Size - only one that was decent, and that was shore caught. Things are looking better for getting out more in 2022, and with the change from canoe to 'real boat', I should be able to hit the better spots (structure and cover wise) next year.

I went and looked at history - you are correct. 1988 had 44 days of 90+ temps, we've only had 27 this year. https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/climate/historical/acis_stn_data_monthly_table.html?sid=mspthr&sname=Twin Cities Area&sdate=por&edate=por&element=maxt&span=annual&counts=cnt_ge_90 Tells you how much memory can trick you as you get older.

Ya - guide can lead you to fish...but not to specific size fish. Might be all dinks, might be a few hawgs...no way to know beforehand. You pays your money, you takes your chances.

I don't remember one this bad in all the time I've lived in MN 1974-1980 - Bemidji 1984-present - Twin Cities

My, what big words you use. (wonder how many people are gonna have to look that up).