MN Fisher

Question is too open - all depends on what line-test is loaded on the spool. But...I try to set my drag like Hook does - but more often than not, it's more like JB sets his

Diawa Presso - UL rods from 4', 5', 5'6, 6' 6'6...to 11'0" - $60 to $80 https://www.fishusa.com/Daiwa-Presso-UltraLight-Spinning-Rods

I'm a 50/50 guy - but I'd go with the M/M casting for the treble baits and agree with JB that a shorter H/F would be fine for flip/frog...I run a 7'0" H/F for those. I also do most of my jig fishing on a MH/F - only the really heavy jigs (3/4oz+) would go on the H/F...course my MH is rated to 1oz, so there is that.

Ask and ye shall receive. https://www.jannsnetcraft.com/

I hear you there, Tom. I've still got the 6' pistol grip Ambassaduer rod that came with my 500R reel. That was 'state of the art' for length back then. When I got my 6'6" Diawa 1312 spinner - one guy looked at me my first time out and said (I kid not) "There's no reason for a rod that long when fishing fresh water."

I'm in there too - 61 in a month. Exactly - if it works for you, then go ahead, it just doesn't work for me at all. Don't tell me I'm wrong for using the drag instead of back-reeling.

Got something a bit more current than 4 years ago, Sam?

St Lawrence must be moderating your weather as you're a bit further north than we are - 45.50o vs 44.97o

I got a high-schooler that comes over and shovels for me. $20 well spent IMO.

Whelp - final figures are 7" there-abouts in the Minnetonka area - up to 12" further south like Glenwood. Officially - it's the second biggest October dump on record. Biggest? Halloween blizzard of 91 that dumped 30" on us over 3 days.

So as someone with a Procyon - would you recommend it? I'm looking at the 7' L/F for my ultra-finesse...unhappy with a UL/F for that...too much of a noodle.

Ya, I have 4 - 3 casting (H, MH, M) and a spinning (M). I'd take an Aird-X over a Dobyns Colt...I've handled the latter and I don't think it's as good despite the $25 higher cost.

Bingo - I prefer NOT having my knuckles banged about...which did happen years ago when I tried back-reeling. The control I have using/adjusting drag on-the-fly has netted me a number of fish heavier than the line-test I was using. I'll keep with that as it's proven itself to me over the years.

Set the hook...THEN adjust drag as needed.

Loosen the drag - loosen it enough and it free-spins...just as fast as switching off the anti-reverse or even opening the bail.

Then you try to grab the handle as it's spinning and 'WHAM' - hence 'knuckle buster'.

There's been a few complaints about that rod breaking on casting as well as burrs in one of the guides that frays line. You can do much better for about the same price by buying the rod and reel separately. Example: I have a President (about $60) on an Aird-X (about $55)...just finished my third year fishing with that rig and so far haven't had one problem other than the occasional backlash - but that's user error, not rod/reel issue.

A lure just sitting there will attract...nothing. Second problem - at least my state, as well as a few others, make it illegal to have more than one line in the water unless you're using tip-ups while ice-fishing. So letting the Rapala sit there and fishing a drop-shot or something else on another rod...the fine is more than I can afford - and yes, the water patrol comes around often enough to make this probable instead of just possible.

Probably an air-injection step in the production line. If I want to make a plastic float more - I do the same thing, short-needle syringe.

Unless it's a sunnie, small crappie or dink bass, I net everything. 1.8# Northern for example

I get my Rapalas from FishUSA - better price and they carry the full line and almost all the colors...rarely go to Rapala's site for them.

A properly set drag can allow you to bring in fish heavier than your line-test. I've caught northern pike up to 11lbs on 6# test mono with a spinning reel. Can't remember the last time I turned off my anti-reverse on any of my spinners...there's a reason they're sometimes called 'knuckle-busters'.

Ya, they're saying 3-7 here by Tonka.

But I LIKE being cray-cray!

Or fresh with nothing. When I took my open water SCUBA training in Lake Bemidji back in 77, my dive partner and I collected a couple dozen crayfish. Couple having a picnic near our gather point had a pot, fresh water and a camp stove. We cooked them up and had a snack right there.