MN Fisher

Nope - last time I was out was end of May when the wife was in the hospital. Since she came home, we've been trying to find a PCA to look after her while I go fishing...still no luck.

Trying Vanish a few years ago turned me off to FC in any way-shape-form. It was only being gifted some AbrasX and Tatsu that got me trying it again...that and a purchase of InvizX. I'm really hoping the new BasiX coming from Seaguar next year is decent - will definitely help my strained budget.

This is how I was taught by my grand-uncle. 'Only shoot at things you'll eat, eat everything you shoot." Which is what I've followed for 50 years. Fishing is pretty much the same...if I don't think a fish I've caught will survive because of a gut-hook or something else, it's going in my freezer for later consumption. I also practice selective harvest - which numerous studies have proven that it's good for a fishery.

I think Ito-san might take objection to that.

Dunno about the 4, but my 7 does both. I normally run trad and DS on the split-screen

Well, I dunno how they're doing it cause I never see my lure either on trad or DS with my 7 no matter how I adjust my settings. I just use it to find structure/cover/fish...don't worry about watching my lures like it's a video-game.

They using larger screen, side-scan or even 360-scan units? I don't get lure returns on my Striker 7CV - a down-scan unit just doesn't have the sensitivity to see something as small as a lure. Add to that, the down-scan is taking a 'slice' through the water - think of it like a pane of glass in a triangle shape with a point at the transducer and the opposite edge at the bottom. Unless you're in that narrow 'band' you won't see it.

Again - depends on the lure. For my flip/pitch/punch/frog - I'm running 50# braid on a Fast action. I want to set the hook hard and haul the fish out of the slop quickly. A Moderate action makes setting the hook a bit slower - and more difficult when you're talking heavier gauge, single (or dual for frogs) hooks. The Moderate action will bend more, not driving that single/dual hook home as deeply. I keep Mod-action for treble hook lures where keeping the fish pinned through the action is more important.

Yo-Zuri Hybrid.

And based on my observations and experience, YZH is 'neutrally buoyant'.

If I'm using mono, it's Elite, my crankbait rig has YZH on it...and if it's not braid, it gets KVD without fail.

Benefits: It's a bit more abrasion resistant than the monos, and I find it has a little less initial stretch than the mono lines - even FC will stretch, contrary to popular opinion', just that it takes a bit more force to start stretching Downside: As it's a mix of mono and flourocarbon, it's a bit stiffer than pure mono lines, which is why the KVD is almost a requirement when using it. Many complain about it's diameter, but in the lighter ratings it's the same diameter as Siege and Elite.

My opinions. Mono: Trilene XL Sufix Siege Sufix Elite Co-Poly: Yo-Zuri Hybrid What ever you choose, get a bottle of KVD Line & Lure Conditioner and use it on the line. It'll help manage the line and actually make it limper - strongly indicated for the Yo-Zuri, soft recommendation for the mono which is naturally limper than the co-poly.

Dunno where - every braid I've used floats - it's biggest drawbacks are visibility and lack of stretch. For the poppers and torpedoes on spinning gear, I'd go with mono or co-poly in 8#-10#...depending on your reel size.

Wait...DQ'd from an event, and he still gets into next year's Classic? That is all kinds of messed up...the DQ should have wiped his qualification for the Classic.

So...stay away from SW Illinois for a while until that fire-pit calms down?

No idea...

17th for my first outing - I'm pretty impressed. Go that right...

Seaguar will be bringing out a couple new lines next year for the budget conscious angler BasiX FC might make the world of FC open up to more people at $10/200yd spool. https://seaguar.com/freshwater/new-lines/basix TactX braid will be a 4-carrier that they claim will stay round to help prevent dig in - no price on that yet. https://seaguar.com/freshwater/new-lines/tactx

Here's a little more info on the Jig Worm

The Super Z's use #8 hooks - https://megabassusa.com/product/super-z1/ https://megabassusa.com/product/super-z2/

That could be dangerous for certain 'random things'.

Tried a magnetic door catch? https://www.homedepot.com/p/Amerock-Magnetic-Catch-with-Strike-BP9765PT/100091279

Oh I wish - we just lucked out and got a good one. Only 'regret' I have is that she doesn't work 6-day weeks...her off-day or vacation fill-in is terrible. Keep on her good side - every Yule we leave a gift-card for some restaurant in the box for her.

It'd work. To make it better...match the jig and worm color as close as you can. Bounce/drag it off the bottom or run it through moderate weeds would be the ways to fish it.