MN Fisher

All depends on the technique I'm using as my 5 spinning rigs are UL/F ML/F (2 of these) M/F MH/M If I had to choose one - it'd be the M/F as best all-around.

The ones I picked for the spinning rig are either treble lures, where too stiff a rod can pull the lure from the bass' mouth - so the lighter power...or techniques where you want a lighter touch. All the BC techniques I listed are ones I use on a MH/F rod - though my larger Ploppers go on my H/F rig.

Keep the spinning rig, I've got 5 of each myself and they all get used at one point or another. BC rig - spinner/chatter/buzzbait, T-Rigs, jigs, Spooks and Whopper Ploppers (3/4oz and under) Spinning - Jerkbaits, crankbaits, drop-shots, wacky/neko. That's a good start anyway.

Heck - if we're talking 1/4oz as light - a Fuego CT will handle that. I toss Rapala Floating 11s on my Crank/Jerkbait rig which is a Fuego on a Fury 705CB and those are only 3/16oz. They're a little under the minimum of the rod (1/4oz), so it doesn't fully load, but I can still get them out there 30-40 yds.

I do most of my flip/pitch with T-Rigged baits and un-pegged heavy bullet weights...3/4oz or more. I'll also bubba shot into the same areas - drop shot with 3/4oz+ weights, 4/0+ hooks and larger plastics.

Ohhh - a youngin' (My 61st is in November)

Just get another reel and an Aird-X 701HFB - that one's rated to the 1-1/2 of that lure...just don't try to send it into orbit on casts.

Even when adjusting the spool tension for lighter/heavier lures...I don't touch my magnetic brake settings at all - those only get adjusted between casts. This is for both my Fuegos and Pfluegers.

Did you pick it up in Missouri or was it shipped to you?

The Buddha was very wise and I've lived my life this way for over 40 years.

Actually - Illinois requires a capacity plate on any water vessel propelled by motor or oars and capable of carrying 2 or more people. So Pelican saying the boat doesn't need one is wrong. B. Capacity plates. (1) Every vessel less than 26 feet in length, designed to carry 2 or more persons and to be propelled by machinery as its principal source of power or designed to be propelled by oars shall, if manufactured or offered for sale in this State, have affixed permanently thereto by the manufacturer a capacity plate as required by this Section. As used in this Section, "manufacture" means to construct or assemble a vessel or alter a vessel in such manner as to change its weight capacity. https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=062500450K5-4

There is that - it has a standard MagForce instead of the MagForce-Z that the CT has...more like a standard magnetic brake. The 'Z' system really is a good magnetic brake - if I could afford it, I'd upgrade my Pfluegers to Fuegos.

Don't walk - run away from the swimbaits. It's a black hole that turns the bait-monkey into the bait-gorilla.

Bah - no biggie...I use my Pro so rarely, it's good to keep in practice.

I think it's the image - I have the same thing with Pro

Okay - I ran my G-Earth Pro back and forth between 4/2016 (your time) and 6/2018 (mine) In my shot, there's more 'beach', meaning the water level is lower. But those 'spots' don't appear. So I'm still thinking that they're weed tops and not stumps.

Low level images? Like this from 6/2018 Looks like that 'mess' in your original is weeds breaking the surface. Here you can see stump-tops and branches.

Yes, you need fuses - but they're cheap. $4.29 for a pack of 5 at O'Reilly - or any auto parts store. You're looking for 12v, 5amp. https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/b/blister-pack-4152/accessories-16449/accessories---exterior-16767/exterior-lighting-16612/bulb-flasher-fuse-16457/fuses-16615/fuses-11492/8db92bcc5690/littelfuse-blister-pack-5-amp-glass-fuse/agc5bp/4414494?pos=1 Pack of 'butt splices' - cut the wire, strip back about 1/2", crimp on. Any hardware store - make sure to get the correct size for the wires. Different sizes have different colors. Bare wire goes in the necked down area which is where you crimp, insulation is covered by the flared ends.

For just a bit more, you can go to a 20AH battery. https://www.amazon.com/ExpertPower-EXP12200-Rechargeable-Threaded-Terminals/dp/B00KC39BE6/ref=sr_1_18?crid=30Y0TC43M3YCA&dchild=1&keywords=12v+deep+cycle+battery&qid=1598827060&s=electronics&sprefix=12v+deep%2Celectronics%2C226&sr=1-18

The fuse looks good - the battery should give you 7-8 hours of run-time before it gets too low...don't want to discharge it too much. I think that charger will work...I use a 2amp charger on my battery (75AH) that runs...everything - TM, Sonar, Camera, Tablet. The charger I use is a West Marine, and it's on sale right now for $33 - https://www.westmarine.com/buy/west-marine--automatic-2a-battery-charger--14982037?recordNum=6 No - the transducer gets it's power from the main unit - no need for separate power for that.

I keep thinking about trying Whaletail because it's in my neighborhood (<7 miles) - but seeing that and hearing about the issues, I think I'll pass

You can say the same about alcohol, but I don't see it being banned in public places. Been smoking for 50 years - last cardio-stress test was mid-line normal...for someone 10-12 years YOUNGER than me. It all depends on genetics...most are hit hard by it, but some of us are apparently immune. (Raises his hand) I do smoke on the water, but I have an empty pop-can half-filled with water in the cup-holder of my canoe...that's my ashtray. When I'm shore fishing - one of the small pockets of my cargo-pants gets the field-stripped butt - pocket gets emptied when I get home.

I haven't used one, but I've looked it over. The Fuego and Tatula are 100 size reels, the Cx-80 series are 80 size reels, so smaller. The 'x' designates the frame material CR - Resin CC - Carbon CG - Graphite CA - Aluminum Otherwise the reels in the series are identical...like the Fuego and Tatula are only differentiated by the T-Wing on the Tat.

I use Strike King Tour Grade in both 1/4 and 3/8, and they've yet to let me down.

Lot of guys here like the Shimano SLX Another option would be a Diawa CA-80