MN Fisher

My choice was limited by budgetary constrictions - yes, it's a Patriarch, but I got it used for $70 and the Fury for $87 from Legacy during their sale.

If we're talking BC - any decent 7.x reel on a 4-power/Fast rod Mine is a Patriarch 7.9 on a Fury 704C

I dunno who makes the F&S Flouro - but sounds like you should stay away from it. Stick with the Seaguar - even Red Label is better than a lot of other FC lines out there, and after my time on the water with Tatsu...it's worth the extra cost. Just wish I could afford the 3 more spools of it I want.

Ya - alcohol can dehydrate you - will make it more likely that you suffer either of the above.

Agree with the MH Spinning rig - I have a Mitchell Avocet RZT-3000 on an Okuma Reflexions MH/F that's mainly used for jig/spinner skipping but works as a 4th general spinner/chatter/jig/T-Rig combo as well.

Having suffered heat stoke and heat exhaustion in the past, I'm particularly susceptable. I'm 'hermiting' this weekend.

I pretty much have no choice. While there's a few people around here who'd probably be willing to take me - with me being the PCA for my mostly disabled wife, my available time is so hap-hazzard that planing something like that is impossible.

I know I can't...unless it wasn't a bass - I think that thing is about or bigger than the state record for here. No - but confused at why he's feeling that way...if I caught something like that, I'd be ecstatic.

No kayak, but I find it invaluable on the canoe...even upgraded (as much as I could afford) from a basic 2-D (Hook 2-4) to a downscan with mapping capabilities (Striker 7cv). With the mapping running in the background, I have the split screen on 2-D and Downscan to find structure, cover and fish...it's really helped a lot to eliminate 'barren' areas and target apparently productive spots. I DO have maps - Navionics app on my tablet which is mounted above the sonar. Minnetonka itself is big - 14,000+ acres - but the bays I fish are only a few hundred acres in size. My other two main lakes are under 200 acres each.

Looks fine to me.

Last time I used the Grays Bay launch was before the re-build and expansion...but that could have happened anywhere. I think Spring Park, Excelsior and Maxwell would be likeliest places for a re-match. Phelps and North Arm are set up differently so that type of thing wouldn't happen the same way. If you have a kill switch - use it.

I use 1/10oz Z-Man - regular or weedless depending on the cover.

I posted a vid of my two catches from Monday - what I didn't post was the one that shook off my chatterbait, or the 4 Senkos I 'sacrificed' to the bass gods and didn't catch one. Days like that happen...just gotta take it and move on.

For swimbaits - see above ^.

I had them picked soon as the roster was complete Ya - still have Seth...can't discard the 'home-boy'.

Label on the lid above them? I can't afford Edge boxes.

I keep mine in a Plano 3701 box - different compartment for each weight/type - and a Brother P-Touch label maker to make a label noting the type/weight in that compartment.

Depends on how deep in the plastic you got the hook point. Tex-pose the hook and you can use light rigs and not that hard a hook set.

Don't feel bad - MN state record is 8#15oz....

Ahhh - thanks.

EC makes Trokar - there's a difference?

A 5 would give me a new PB (begs, pleads, offers sacrifice) 6's are possible - my lake has even produced the occasional 7

1: Close the bail manually...always 2: Braid seems to twist less than mono/FC 3: Put a swivel in, like Blue said I have braid with leader on two of my spinning rigs - but closing the bail manually is my preferred method. I rarely use swivels. To fix line twist - let out a bunch of line without a lure tied on as you cruise (if you're in a boat/canoe/kayak), then reel it in with the line held snug between finger and thumb.

Go with what you're more comfortable with. Many here use Baitcasting gear for wacky rigs, others (myself included) prefer spinning. There are ways to mitigate the line-twist issue, but it is something that happens and you have to end up fixing it. BTW: Welcome to BR - best bass forum bar none.

Welcome to the family, Pete, from your 'next door' neighbor.