MN Fisher

I forgot to mention this during the chat - but I would have gone and rented a plastic welder to fix that.

At least not while on the water...

Ya - nice to see everyone again.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86498654559?pwd=Z3pkekN5eG9tNmZKSXV4Vjc0MnUxQT09

I'd split the difference...in fact I have. My Light-rig has 40yds of mono backing then 60yds of 6# InvizX. Forget trying to go mono-FC leader...only time I use leaders is with braid as the mainline...and sometimes I dispense with having a leader depending on the technique.

I can attest to this. 50# Power Pro mainline to 12# YZH when I'm flipping/pitching..haven't had a knot slip yet. I also use the 12# YZH as the mainline on my crankbait rig. And use what you think you need for the technique - IMO the Aird-X fishes more like a $80+ rod...having checked out Dobyns Colts, I still prefer my Aird-X to the Colt.

I'm trying a head-mount this year...but may go back to the shoulder-mount if it proves too jerky. Clip from the shoulder mount.

Fine - nag...

Take it easy, rest up...it will get better. My dad had the same issues when he had stents put it...took a while but he's MUCH better now.

Great for kids to catch sunnies on - lousy in most other respects...for the reason of the 'issues' you're having.

Long as you're talking soft-swimbaits or small ones like a Bucca Baby or similar you should be fine. I have the H/F Aird-X with a Fuego - pitch, flip, frogs, larger topwaters (Plopper 110+, Super Spook, etc) and small hard-swimbaits (like the Bucca Baby) - works fine.

Chris - The way you were hugging it at the end, should your wife be jealous? That is a heck of a catch - especially on finesse gear. Give my congrats to Steve for that - very impressive.

Which is a reason why when I ordered some Carbontex sheets to create drag-washers for my reels that still had oil-felt, I also ordered a tin of Cals.

Just another check-mark in the column of 'Why I don't shop certain stores anymore'.

It's cool to see them 'spreading out' to other parts of the country. We see them all the time around here as after Alaska, Minnesota has the largest population of nesting pairs in the country, Wisconsin is 3rd.

Last dog we had - lost her about 2-1/2 years ago.

Makes me miss Bruno. Pedigree boxer from champion lines. Literally grew up with him...got him when I was 7, didn't lose him till I was 20. This pic he was about 7 years old in 1974-75

That's not going to stop it pulling off the spool. I still say tie the arbor knot...rather be safe than sorry.

One of the blackbird family anyway - female Grackle looks good.

Only time I could think of using electrical tape is over the arbor knot when tying braid directly to the spool without backing to prevent slippage. Danger of just using tape instead of a knot - if you empty the spool due to a bomb-cast or the fish running - that tape alone isn't going to hold it back and you'll loose fish, lure, and line.

Kittery Trading Post

@gimruis, @Deephaven, @FryDog62 - any other metro area people. We're there!

Swap that Regal for a Mitchell Avocet RZT-1000 and that's my light rig for ultra-finesse and crappie.

Thinking back to when I lived out there - SE Worcester was like that too.

You mean there's a different way of bringing in the fish?