MN Fisher

"DAD! How could you!"

Short-handled net, Rapala grips and either small needle nose pliers or for the deep-hooked fish, a pair of dual-pivot pliers.

Tell me about it - I gotta get my reels out and do some maintenance before the water opens up. Way it's going we may see open water sometime in March.

Sounds like you have job security again...and in a primo location. Great going, man.

Budget rod for those - Diawa DXSB. Heavy is rated 2oz to 8oz, X-Heavy 3oz to 10oz. https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Daiwa_DX_Swimbait_Casting_Rods/descpage-DXB.html

I have two different sizes of split-ring pliers to help mitigate this. Size #0-#3 I use the smaller pair, size #4 and up the larger pair. Sometimes though, the rings will not return to a tight state...just the nature of the beast.

Yep - same short-handled net I use in the canoe...just in case.

I toss Super Spooks with mine - they're also 3/4oz. Long as you don't try to get max distance, you'll be fine...a good lob will be plenty far enough given the weight, no need to try to bomb the cast.

While both are crankbait rods, going with the Fury and having money for lures makes it a no-brainer to me. I have the Fury 705CB and it's been a darn good rod for cranks and topwaters.

If you want my opinion - I like the rods that have the keeper in front of the handle, 90 degree off-set from the reel position. Keepers in the gap of split-grips drive me nuts and I install Fuji keepers in my preferred location in those cases. I'm thinking of getting the basic parts to install keepers in my preferred location on all my rods.

Well, this is the place - we got lots of experienced guys here. Also check out Glenns videos here and on YouTube - he's got lots from beginner to advanced...good stuff.

I have two 3700 size bags...though they might be a little big for you BPS Extreme Qualifier - holds 5-3700 size in the main compartment, 1-3600 in the front pocket Plano Z-Series - holds 4-3700 size in the main compartment. I like these because they hold the boxes long-edge up and can slip under the center seat of my canoe. Using thin boxes increases the number.

Scheels has the Echomap UHD 73sv with GT-54 on sale right now for $300 off. https://www.scheels.com/p/garmin-echomap-uhd-73sv-with-gt54-transducer/75375924157.html?src=""&utm_campaign=012921_opn-wtr_email_open-water_markdowns&utm_medium=email&utm_source=sfmc&utm_content=header-img_75375924157&sub=0015G00001Z9N4zQAF

Legacy has their 'Cabin Fever Sale' going on Today - Dobyns rods 20% off with code DOBYNS20 at checkout.

Ya, well my fishing time is limited and the only lakes in range for me are Tonka, Dutch, Little Long and Whaletail...so I gotta put up with it. I made a promise to myself to fish T-Rigs more often this year, and wacky use is also going to increase.

When I lived in Bemidji, mom asked me to target rock bass...she liked the taste.

There is that - but North Arm is one of my two regular spots and my observations are: Pressure - sometimes I'm the only one out fishing that part of the lake...I've only seen one other boat go in to that patch and try some flipping...they were there less than 1/2 hour. Traffic - North Arm/Crystal Bay channel sees some, but no where near what Crystal Bay/West Arm sees much less any of the other channels. Structure - just beyond the edge of that patch it drops off to deeper water - 58' hole in the center of that part of the bay. All of my better bass have been caught in North Arm and there are times I get the whole SW part of the bay to myself.

Dunno why that'd exclude Tonka - there's several large lily pad patches scattered about. North Arm develops one that's a couple acres in size...the lighter green in this shot is all lily pads. For me - it'd be a swim-jig...had my best luck on that.

My heavy rig - flip/pitch/frogs - 50# braid, 15# FC Medium-heavy - jigs/moving baits in light-moderate cover - 40# braid, 15# FC

I've never been all braid. 5 BC rigs for the canoe this year: 2 braid-to-leader, 2 FC, 1 YZH.

X3 on the 40#.

"In the unfortunate event that a rod goes overboard, the Cush-It Big Bass Rod Float provides added buoyancy that will keep it from sinking. " https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Cush-It_Big_Bass_Rod_Floats/descpage-CUUSH.html

What I got out of his initial post was that he'd already purchased the combo and was asking whether the techniques he listed could be done with it. So suggestions of a combo to buy are late to the gate - let's help him get the most of what he already has.

Crappie, sunnies, perch, bullheads, channel cats, rock bass, white bass. Muskie season closed Dec 1 - doesn't open until June LMB, SMB, Walleye, Northern closes Feb 28 - opens May 8 this year Lake Trout closes March 31 - opens May 8.

Only reason I'd have for early-mid April ice-out is to test this year's mods on the canoe. Bass season doesn't open until May 8 - and that's my countdown date.