MN Fisher

The only possible 'deliberate' reaction would be hunger. "I'm hungry...what looks like it's possibly edible?" "That looks like it might be edible...(CHOMP)"

As stated, no fish 'thinks' about things...everything is a reaction. Spinner buzzes through - startled reaction "How dare you disturb me!" Something passes through the nest - protective reaction "Out...out I say!" Drop-shot plastic jiggling - hunger reaction "Is it tasty? Will we likes it?" Crankbait/Jerkbait - flee reaction "It's running away, might be something tasty." Etc Etc Etc

The gist of what I'm seeing the last day or so is this. "Those of us who can't afford high-end gear are doomed to not catching decent fish." I'm outta here....

I only go one place for used - Legacy. They inspect anything that comes in on their 'Trade Up' program, and rate it. The Patriarch 7.9:1 I got last year was rated 'Good' - a bit of boat-rash was the only problem I found with it...used it my few outings this year and functioned like a new reel. The Patriarch 7.1:1 I just picked up was also rated 'Good' - again, boat rash but my bench tests show it to also be in excellent working condition.

Going to a rounder braid also helps. Had wind knots with PP, switched to 832 and they disappeared. Smackdown is also a good braid for spinning. I think Sufix 131 (13 carrier) would work even better.

Keep your eye on the used market - I've snagged two Pflueger Patriarchs (dual braking) for under $100 in the past year.

Yes - there are different thicknesses. I don't buy kits...I buy sheets and cut my own out For my Avocet RZTs - 1.0mm For my Pfluegers - 0.8mm

President and up all have bearings...only the Trion uses a bushing. Another reason I went with the Avocet RZT - bearing in the line roller...so all my spinners are now 'braid compatible'. Another reason to back the braid with mono - less likely to have this problem. Also, Pfluegers aren't deep spool reels...it's a reason I shy away from Diawa as most of their USDM models are deep spool for some reason known only to them.

Frogging is all about watching the lure to me. If it disappears under the surface - I'm swinging for the fences immediately. Stout rod is a must, and AFAIC a fast reel to get the fish out of the slop.

I toss braid on my Pfluegers without issue. BTW: The Pflueger 35 is a 3000 size The Pflueger 20 is a 500 size

As a couple others have said - replace it. No matter how good it looks or acts in the short run, in the long run you chance damaging other parts...especially the brakes...a little spent now prevents even more spent later.

I've yet to 'catch' a hook, but these are what I have in my bag just in case https://www.amazon.com/VISE-GRIP-Diagonal-Cutting-Pliers-2078306/dp/B000A0S4YO/ref=pd_lpo_2?pd_rd_i=B000A0S4YO&psc=1

Welcome to the club - at last count, you're number 5 of active members in the Metro area.

Up here it was different - classroom learning to get your 'learners permit' - then actual behind-the-wheel. School had a couple 1976 Ford LTD's (land yacht) for the second part. My road training was in winter - it's strange to come to a complete stop at a stop sign...then the car starts drifting towards the curb because of the ice on the road. Learned in bad road conditions, so it doesn't even bug me.

I try to stay away from E-Bay - sooo... https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Kevin_VanDams_Fishing_Line__Lure_Conditioner/descpage-VDLL.html

Sounds like the washers need a good cleaning...too much grease/oil can cause slippage. Remove the drag-stack, clean the area the stack goes into then one of two options. Fiber (Carbontex) washers - clean and put a THIN layer of drag grease on...or run them dry, they don't need the grease - without the grease they 'release' at a higher point than with...some of us want the lower release point, others don't. Oil/Felt washers - get replacement felt and just a couple drops of oil on them...or upgrade to fiber (Carbontex) washers.

This is pretty much a given...you can refuse to let people cross your property to access the canal, but if they're in a boat/canoe/kayak, you can't prohibit them from fishing the water around your docks. https://www.flsenate.gov/laws/statutes/2007/372.705

If it was just one of the two, I'd suspect a problem with the GPS in the unit - as it's both, I suspect a mapping error. Do an update to the maps - the ones in your units memory might be from when the water was low...especially if the lake you're fishing is a reservoir.

Break Out Another Thousand

-Don't forget the tune-up - spark plugs are pretty much the same whether it's a 10hp tiller, 50hp 2-stroke, 175hp 4-stroke, or your tow vehicle....regular check and replacement if needed is a must.

I actually went through my boxes and put together those that I hadn't used and had no plans to use...hard baits as well as plastics. Took my Plano B-series 3700 bag, 4 boxes that were sitting around not being used, and put together a 'starter kit'. Added the President 7.3 on the Laguna and the Trion-35 on the Stratus...and offered as a 'package' with the canoe sale. First line of the ad read "Buy today, fish tomorrow" Dunno if it was a selling point, but sold the canoe in a week at my initial asking price.

Pretty much you have to look to Zebco, Shakespeare and Eagle Claw for spincast rods. Direct from manufacturer - or Walmart carries a few models.

They may look similar, but the reel seat is slightly different for spincast vs casting. Finding a place that sells spincast rods alone is a little tricky - mostly they're sold as part of a combo.

There are three rod types Spinning - for spinning reels Casting - for baitcasters Spincast - for spincast reels...yes, they have their own rod style This is a spincast rod

^ What Tom said A spincast reel should be on a spincast rod - they're designed for it and work much better.