MN Fisher

x2 - just grab a 1/16" thick sheet from the local hardware store, use tin-snips to cut it to just a bit larger than the hole. A bit of the JB Weld to glue it on the inside, let it set up, then you can make a smooth patch on the outside. You can then smooth the inside edges to blend it to the hull with more JB Weld.

This is what I used to fill holes in Bass Trek from where I drilled out old rivets.

I feel for you, pal. I may not get the vomiting, but chemo-week is always hell on my appetite...everything makes me nauseous...and guess what next week is. 😧

Yep - staying inside in the AC. Predicted heat index of 100+ in these parts....that's just plain wrong for up here.

Now I see why you call it 'Canuckistan' - they really rip you off there, don't they.

Amazon: $9 - $11 for the Speculums. $20 to $26 for the 'Pliers'

I just went with silicon tubing cut to length and one of these DON'T pay $20 or more for a 'Wacky Tube Plier' - $9 for a 'Nasal Speculum' gets you the exact same thing.

I carry 4 colors - June Bug, Green Pumpkin, Alabama Craw, and Watermelon Seed. Color used is based on conditions. I don't do T-Rigs - I seem to be cursed as I've never had any luck with them. Free Rig with 1/8 or 1/4 oz and Shaky Head - same weights - are my main techniques with them.

Just a sample of what boat traffic is like on Minnetonka on the weekends...not even a holiday, this was taken this past Sunday. The 'parking' is at the lake's 'party spot' just off Big Island (on the right), and is like this anytime the weather is decent all summer long - even weekday evenings gets it fairly packed.

You should be able to pull out line by hand even with the high-lb test braids. And yes, a 5# fish when surging can achieve much more than 5# of tension on that line...so let it have line if it runs....tire it out, don't try to force it in.

Yes - 4 carrier is 'rougher' and acts more like a knife on the weeds. 8 carrier is smoother, goes through the guides silenter and is limper for better casting. Here too, high-class line is even better - I'm actually going to all Smackdown on my spinning rigs as it's even limper and smoother than my 'beloved' 832 - with one exception. My UL Crappie rig and my 6'10 ML finesse rig with the 1000 size reel have the new Revolve in 6# on them....and I'm really liking it for the lighter presentations

Price increase hit retailers yesterday.

Exactly right - I spent 8 hours on the shore yesterday. I caught a yearling bass about 9" long, a couple small bluegills, lost two decent bass - one broke the leader, the other shook the hook - and lost 3 lures. I still enjoyed myself...being outside, seeing nature around me, sitting back and relaxing without worrying about anything....it was a good day.

Until the new law passed - bass season was closed from the end of February until the middle of May. Now C&R is legal during that period.

Skipped me completely, pal. Though the rain we've gotten has raised Minnetonka a good foot or more...and that's with the dam at Gray's Bay wide open and feeding Minnehaha Creek all it can handle.

I was shore fishing today and an extended family came in and scattered about the area. Reels used - 1 spinning reel - used correctly - 1 casting reel - he'd throw the lure correctly, but then flip the rig over and backwards reel - 6 spincast reels - all tossed their lure correctly, but again they'd flip the rig over and backwards reel I just felt so sad.

Wore it today out shore fishing, in fact. 😁

Grilled/broiled - it's the only way to cook fish.

Few years ago, @FryDog62 organized a get-together. It was him, me and one other (forget his BR name). He even had custom hats made up. Then @gim and I met - we were doing an exchange of items and he popped over to my place. That's been it so far.

Casting setup: only time I use straight braid is pitching/flipping (50#) and frogs (40#)...I don't do buzzbaits. Spinner/chatter, jigs and topwater I use 15# straight FC, so personally I'd use a 12#-15# leader for those if you're running braid. Yes - use a leader for T-Rigs, worms, etc - 12#-15# again. Leader length....8' minimum for shock absorption....I usually run 12'-15' Spinning setup: I'd use braid-leader for everything, even the smaller topwaters... you want the shock absorption to keep from ripping the trebles out of their mouths.. Minimum 8' leader but for cranks - the leader length should be double the max running depth of the crank - so a crank that can reach 11', you'd want 22' of leader.

If it's rocky, the smaller heads won't help you much. My last outing, I lost two 1/16oz tungsten shakeys to the rocks...caught only one fish for all that.

Well, muskie guys are a bit insane anyway - 'fish of 1000 casts' indeed.

Weightless - nothing beats the Yamamoto Senko for action Weighted - I'm particular to the Yum Dinger - with even a small weight (1/16oz) it gets near the Senko in action...and it's quite a bit less expensive and it's also more durable.

If I won't dish out the money for Tatsu - InvizX is my go-to.

Pic - 1/16x1x1 aluminum angle, 1/16" HDPE for the sides, 1/4" HDPE for the bottom. Glued in place with Gorilla Glue. Lips overlap frame, use flush aluminum rivets to secure. All the decking is 1/2" plywood sealed with 2 coats of water-based Spar Urethane then cheap indoor-outdoor carpet glued on top, stapled underneath. The water-based Spar Urethane doesn't interact with aluminum.