MN Fisher

Ya, my weightless/lightweight T-Rig spinning rod is also a M/F - which next year will be a Fury 703SF. I also 'drank the Kool-Aid' - got 5 bags of Yama-Senkos coming from TW...paid for by the FIL's Yule gift.

FIFY Astronomical winter started Nov 1 - this is 'mid-winter' by the stars/sun position.

We're usually cooler at my house than the official temp at MSP Airport 22 miles away. But they have the confluence of the Minnesota and Mississippi rivers right there which does have a moderating influence.

The one time I went ice-fishing was on Lake Bemidji in northern MN. Mississippi comes in the south end of the lake, exits the east side. The river in the channel between Bemidji and Irving was still open...as well as 60'-70' into Bemidji. Ice was thick enough that I could cast and retrieve into that open water with no issues. When I was taking my Limnology class in college - we actually measured the ice near that opening...12" of ice less than 10' from open water. (Mississippi flows north from Itasca to Bemidji, east from Bemidji to Winnibigoshish, then starts going south)

Wonder if it's a difference besides latitude. You're only 22' north of me...which is 25 miles. Which would mean close to the same climate...except for maybe the influence of Huron for you.

They had to fight to get one change through some years ago. Use to be you couldn't even hunt bass until Memorial weekend. They finally got it open for C&R when the walleye/northern season opened.

At least you can hunt for them all year. MN - between end of Feb and season opener...if they find you hunting any 'game fish'...fine, loss of license and maybe boat confiscation as well. They're VERY strict here.

Our state record smallie is 8-0, largie 8-15.

It's only closed for 2-1/2 months. Game fish closes end of February...smallmouth C&R only from mid-September on - walleye, northern, muskie, bass - opens again 2nd Saturday in May - bass for C&R only, opens for 'keepers' Saturday of Memorial Weekend. Trout has so many crazy times that to post the open/close seasons would take a few paragraphs.

FireFox plug-in - 'Save as eBook' I highlighted Andy's post, saved it to my 'Articles' folder in E-Pub format...read later at my leisure on my tablet.

136 days and a wakeup here - Bass season opens May 8, 2021.

What we're getting now could hit you late tomorrow or Christmas day depending on what direction it takes...we're about the same latitude as Traverse City. This morning when I woke up it was 43 degrees. Currently heavy, blowing snow - travel except for emergencies is NOT recommended. 7"-11" expected by tomorrow morning. Wind chills tonight could hit -35 to -40. High tomorrow...5 above.

I've put together various items - gauze, tape, band-aids, steri-strips, scalpel, tweezers, two hemostats, alcohol, providone and other items. All in this nice little watertight box that's leashed so I don't lose it if the canoe rolls. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CJIBBJU/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

And here it comes.

I've got two 'pairs' in my arsenal, both rigged to be able to cross over MH/F BC - one is primarily for moving baits, the other for bottom contact, but they can switch off M/F - one BC, one Spin - pretty much handle identical rigs, but I can't skip with a BC to save my life, so all the skipping is done with the spinner I'm adding a MH/F spinning rig this year so I can skip heavier jigs or spinnerbaits.

6.3:1 and 7.3:1

That's like choosing between a Chevy, GM or Oldsmobile - same company,

I've never been to our 'local' SW - it's a 45 minute trip each way so I don't know if they have salt gear there. We're 1000mi+ from salt water here.

Oh they'll probably end up with lots more tackle...all of it with Johnny Morris' signature on it.

DSG about 10 miles, Scheels about 12 miles...next closest is Cabelas.

No - this is Minne-snow-ta.

Personally - I'd go with the 705 over the 735. I'm not a fan of X-Fast. My current H/F (same line/lure ratings) has done fine for all my flip/pitch/frog work. I also use it for my large trebles (Super Spook, WP-110, etc) that my MH (Dobyns 4-power) can't handle easily. X-Fast for that would increase the chance of ripping the trebles out of the fishes mouth.

That'll work just fine - my crankbait rig is a 6.3:1 Fuego CT on a Fury 705CB. I use it for all my cranks.

Christmas Eve day is our 'freeze' - high of 5...back into the 20s for Christmas day.