MN Fisher

In my case, it's being a 'one-eyed wonder'...tying on is easier for me. I replace all the round split-rings at the 'tie-on' point with either ovals or teardrops...keeps the line away from the split-ring ends.

We have a sturgeon season here - but it's catch-and-release only. Paddlefish is the one that there's no open season on in MN. For me - ones that are extant in MN: Sturgeon, Muskie, Lake Trout, Bowfin, Gar....I think that's it.

I usually start with 6'-8'...cutting off and replacing it when it's down to about 3' after enough lure changes.

I would direct tie the main-line to the leader - the more knots you have in the process, the weaker the whole system becomes. If you're running a spinning reel, then a swivel might be a good idea - though I don't use them on any of my spinning rigs. If it's a baitcasting rig - dispense with the swivel all-together. I also don't use snap-connectors anywhere. Blood, double-uni, FG, Albright, Alberto - there's plenty of good knots to connect line-to-leader.

Since I lost my right eye almost six years ago, I've had to adjust for tracking because of lost of binocular vision - also sucks that I can't watch 3-D movies anymore. I'm right handed, but I've always done 'heavy work' with my left...so all the rod work is done with my left hand as it's the stronger one. Right is for 'delicate' work. Only reels I've ever had that were left-handle were my old Pflueger 640 spinning reel - which is retired despite being in 9+/10 mechanical condition, and my old Mitchell 320 - which was basically destroyed about 25 years ago.

Most of 2020 was one big letdown for me. With Covid running rampant, the respite worker we usually get in to keep Nora company while I go out fishing in the canoe had cancellations, schedule conflicts and 4 weeks of mandatory quarantine. My times in the canoe amounted to 6 trips over the 26-week season. Here's hoping that 2021 is a much better fishing year.

Depends: If you're tossing in murky/stained water I wouldn't worry about a leader. If there's rocks or other abrading, however, a FC leader might be a good idea. Clear water (6'+ visibility for me), then a FC or lo-vis Mono leader.

Personally - I'd just use through-bolts.

First fish I caught was a white perch in Indian Lake, Worcester, MA. Caught some yellow perch and small bass there. Then I discovered that the stream that ran into the lake had brook trout. Most of my fishing until we moved out of Worcester was on that stream, catching brookies that I'd take home. A few times, went out with the uncle and caught pickerel in a nearby lake, but trout was my 'magnet' until I was 12.

Suggestion - if you can get to the underside, use either a block of wood or 1/2" or thicker HDPE plastic as a brace under there...larger than the base of the Ram mount. That will stiffen the console to help support the mount/sonar.

Until the local shops closed - that's where I did my shopping. They didn't close because of lack of customers. One was taxed out of business by the city. One had the building they were in purchased by a developer - turned into a multi-story condo...they couldn't find a new location they could afford. Last one was an Evinrude repair shop with a small bait/tackle shop out front...when the repair guy retired, they couldn't find a replacement and that's where the bulk of their profit came from. They had to close down...now there's a Nautique dealer in that spot. Last one, as I said, is primarily walleye/muskie with the bulk of the remainder for crappie. One new local shop did open - a custom rod shop with mainly accessories and little tackle. Cheapest rod they sell is a 5'3" crappie noodle...for $180...well out of my budget.

Or Facebook

Except none of those 4 are 'local shops' - they're all fair-sized to big corps...ya, Scheels may be 'employee owned', but 27 locations in 13 states makes it a corp. The local shops left this area years ago - next to last one closed down 10 years ago. The only one left caters to the walleye/northern crowd with maybe a handful of bass baits available. Sorry, Tom - in the case of my area, that argument left the gate a while ago.

You and I live close, and although I have all those too (Chaska FF not Brooklyn Park though), I've gotten most of my gear online. I've popped into the stores long enough to check things out, but then turn around and order it online as I can usually find better prices there.

I don't wanna know how you're so 'in tune' with that, 'sir'.

Well, you have to have some redeeming qualities if she's kept you around this long. - Hey, Nora (my wife) still wants me around after over 30 years, so I must be doing something right.

I'm sure Lynn agrees with you. (Did I say that out loud?)

Well, as the 705 is rated down to 3/8, and a 3/8 jig with trailer weighs closer to 1/2-5/8 when all is said and done. I still think the 705 or 735 is your best bet. It'll handle the smaller jigs and the 3/4 jigs will still be in it's rated range even with all the additions. Remember: a jig's posted weight is JUST for the head. The hook and skirt add to that, and the trailer adds more.

Only two more packages to go from my purchasing spree with all the money/gift cards I got. As I've said, I'm pants at skipping with a BC - so got a spinning rod that'll let me skip larger jigs and such...this is getting the Trion-35 with 20# Sufix 832 and AbrazX leader.

I thought you'd be more like this....

I don't know about the Fury 703 (M/F) as it's new and I haven't used it yet...but I've been very happy with my Fury 702 (ML/F) for finesse work. If the 703 is as good for what I'll be using it for as the 702 has been - I'd say go with the Fury.

That's gotta be a heck of hat - he's in NY, I'm in MN. John, you gotta wear it next time.

Brown Bullhead - I think it's a New England thing cause Andy and I grew up in the same area (Mass.) at the same time. I knew them as hornpout before I knew they were really bullhead.

My netbook does too - but it refuses to connect to the home network for some reason. It's not the Wi-Fi, cause it connects everywhere else.

I like the tablet for two reasons. 1: Larger screen - the tablet is an 8", the phone a 4". 2: Faster - even though the phone has 5G, the home network on a cable modem is way faster. I'd go with the computer (24" screen), but I don't have a camera or mic for it...