MN Fisher

Ya - the Dobyns rods are actually one step in power below the words Dobyns Heavy = Diawa or St. Croix Medium-Heavy For a frogging rod, I'd want a 5 power from Dobyns.

I pinged Mike and he's already shown up to help.

Trade ya - we're already at 25 and still dropping. Suppose to get down to 15 tonight.

I got my 'Tackle Claus' present early - gift cert to TW from my mother-in-law that I used Friday for my order.

For getting into tight places like a reel - I prefer these. https://www.fiskars.com/en-us/crafting-and-sewing/products/scissors-and-shears/micro-tip-softgrip-scissors-no-5-98887097j

I just got a spool of 20# Smackdown in the mail as a gift. Compared to even the Sufix 832 that I had been considering, it's much smoother and more supple. Comparing to a left over spool of 20# Power Pro I had sitting around...the Power Pro almost feels like nettles compared to the Smackdown.

After the snow that started this thread and another that dropped a few inches, we had a warm spell that melted it all away. Now we're having 30s and 40s during the day without a flake in sight for the next week.

For me it comes down to one of three brands depending. Baitcasters - Pflueger or Diawa Spinning - Plueger or Mitchell (the two I've been using since the late 60s)

It's a learning curve either way The more proficient I've gotten at removing backlashes - the less backlashes I've had to deal with. Go figure.

A second gifting from a member who wishes to remain anonymous. A Siebert Grid Iron G2 jig in 3/8oz A few Rage Claws in a matching color - see how they compare to the Chigger Craws I've been using Some line - none of the spools are full, but there's enough to give me at least a couple spoolings with backing. Thank you so much for this...you know who you are.

I have this - got from Cabelas - but it's new so I haven't had it on the water yet. Pretty much a standard Down-scan unit - like the Echomaps - but no built in maps or the ability to add standard maps to it but it does have a map-maker. You can use ActiveCaptain through your phone/tablet to download maps other Striker owners have made using that...but it's not going to be as 'nice' as the standard Navionics maps that come on the Echomap units. For what it does, it seems to be a great unit - especially at the current prices...which are due to the fact that a new model - Striker Vivid - is coming out.

I do quick checks through the season and a 'quick clean/lube' if needed on individual reels. Winter is down-time, so at least a partial disassemble and a good cleaning is done on every reel. Full teardown if needed, but so far haven't had to do that.

@Delaware Valley Tackle - Mike...can you help this gentleman out?

Today only - 25% off all lures and bait at Fish USA - excludes Megabass.

For lipped cranks - larger/heavier hooks will tip the nose up a smidge...won't dive as deep. On lipless, it'll change the sink rate...have to crank faster to keep it to the same depth.

I like round bend on all my cranks, traps, jerks and topwater. I also like to keep to the same size as they originally were - keeps the balance. ST-36 for upgrades, VMC-9650 for general replacements...one step up from original equipment VMCs on Rapalas and Storms.

Intuition is indeed one of the hardest things to learn when fishing a jig. I'm not 100% there yet, but given that this past year, most of my catches were on jigs, I think I'm learning. As Tom stated...doesn't take high-end tackle to do it...my jig-rig this past year was either the Supreme on an Aird-X or the President-XT on a Laguna.

David Prowse - the man under the armor - died today at 85 from an undisclosed reason.

That's why I suggested it You turned him into a poofter?!

These are the top rods I've used - and as much as I've liked my Aird-X's, the Furys are much more sensitive and responsive. I'd say they're worth the cost...better if you can get them on sale (as I've done for all 5 of mine)

Need to put 6-Pound in a Santa suit, hook Hank up to a sled and have him haul 'Santa' around the neighborhood.

So far I've only used two - a FR702SF for finesse and a FR705CB for cranks/jerks/ploppers/spooks. I liked them so much that this year I'm upgrading three more rods to Furys - Aird-X M/F spin to 703SF, Aird-X M/F casting to 703C and Laguna MH/F casting to 704C

Ya...I've upgraded my canoe from a Hook 2-4 to a Striker 7CV...going to be much nicer.

If you do shore-fishing - set these aside for that. I have three 6'6" rods that I'm doing just that with. This is my general finesse rod. Cranks, jerks, treble topwaters (WP-90, Spooks) - any treble lure really...yes, I have one I would personally go (and I am) 1-FR703C and 1-FR704C. The 703 may be named 'medium-heavy', but it's lure ratings are what others call a 'medium'. If you're tossing 1/2oz spinners/chatters - with a trailer on them, they'll top out the 703 Yes, I'm getting a 703C and a 704C this year...as well as a 703SF for my wacky and skipping needs.

Dude - I'm over 60 and the wife snickers at me when something comes in from a tackle-shop cause I get so excited. I may grow old, but I refuse to grow up....