MN Fisher

For some it's 'necessary'...only computer upgrade I've done in the last half-decade is my phone...my old Galaxy S-4 finally bit the dust. My desktop is 6 years old - still running Win-7. My Netbook (HP Mini 110-4250) is almost 10 years old, also running Win-7.

I never considered going pro as it's a long haul. You start by self-financing in local tournaments and state tournaments. If you can afford it - then self-finance regional tournaments. Once you begin to make a name for yourself, then the sponsors come to you - you don't go 'head-hunting' them. Here's a little write-up on going pro by Kevin Hawk https://www.bassmaster.com/tips/9-steps-going-pro Another one by Jordan Lee https://www.mossyoak.com/our-obsession/blogs/fishing/how-i-became-a-professional-bass-fisherman

I run 6' leaders on my BCs - 40# Suffix 832 or 50# Power Pro to 12# Yo-Zuri Hybrid - tied with double-uni. Ya, I hear the knot go through the guides, but I've yet to have a hang-up. Make sure to wet the knot and tighten it down good. I don't use braid on spinning reels personally - straight mono or Yo-Zuri. Can't be the rod - I'm using Aird-X myself without problems.

Spinning: Mitchell and Pflueger - been using both brands for 40+ years and haven't had a reason to change. Baitcasting: Pflueger and Diawa - both have been solid for me so far...time will tell.

I'll double on the Pflueger Trion - I have two, a 30 and a 35, and both have performed well for me. Never forget Mitchell either. I have an Avocet RZ-2000 and it's been a well behaved reel as well...I've been a Mitchell fan since my original 320 that I got way back in the 60s. If I did have to do that one over, I'd probably go with the Avocet RZT...same reel, just with more bearings.

I haven't fished it - but the state record largemouth came out of there in 2005, and another 8+ pounder was caught in 2017...so good chance of some large (for MN) size bass.

10 setups - 5 spinning, 5 baitcasting. Go-to rig? Depends on where/how I'm fishing. Could be the Supreme/MH Aird-X if I'm tossing jigs...bladed or otherwise, or it could be the President-25/ML Fury if I'm doing finesse.

I have one 3700 crankbait box, each compartment is labeled with what it is, weight and running depth. Since I only have 2-4 of each, one compartment for each type...ergo, all my DT-4s are in one compartment, all my Shad Rap 07s in another, etc. I use Owner Treble Safety Caps to avoid hook-tangle.

Of course - the US has a tremendous record of mining/drilling without causing any environmental issues. (SNORT)

I have 4# on my Ultra-light, 10# on my Trion-35 and 12# on two of my baitcasters. KVD makes all the difference and I've yet to have issues with line management or knot-failure.

I just hate FC all around. I compromise by using Yo-Zuri Hybrid - 4# on my Pres-20 UL rig, 10# on my Trion-35 MH/M spinning crank rig. KVD on any rig that doesn't have braid.

That's me to a 'T' - retired, fixed income...I need the 'budget' rigs in order to be able to afford to go fishing. I may have 10 rigs, but I've put out less than $900 over three years getting them.

Hey - look at the bright side. At least we're not trying to convince you into a Legend or Xtasy.

Yes, they have a 7' M/F - AIRX701MFB is the model number. I'm using mine for jerkbaits, wacky rig, shallow cranks, and flukes (including donkey rig).

Difference being that a forest fire can be recovered from - it's happened before up there. The poisons from a copper/nickel mine spread much further and last much longer: the soil become contaminated, the water downstream become polluted - it affects not only the Boundary Waters but a much larger area for a greater length of time...your grandchildren will still be dealing with it.

Why am not surprised that he's for this?

Well, when wiring in parallel you want the batteries as close to each other as possible. So it's either both up front or both in back with LONG cables (6 gauge...8 gauge minimum) running to the TM.

Which is why my phone and tablet have the likes of Within Temptation, Souxsie and the Banshees, Altan, Capercaillie, etc, etc, etc

I was going to bring up Traffic - flute wasn't a mainstay for them like it was for Tull, but appeared often enough...when Chris wasn't playing Sax that is.

Best thing - make sure both batteries are identical - buy two the same and use the old one for electronics maybe. Then connect them in parallel...It'll still be 12v - just double the AH. That way you'll have the advantage of a second battery to power the Terrova without having to switch battery connections in the middle of the lake.

Ian Anderson rocks the flute...I don't consider Tull 'weird' at all. Echo and the Bunnymen however...

I'm past the honeymoon stage...have 4 Aird-X rods myself. Medium spinning, medium casting, medium-heavy casting and heavy casting. Of my remaining rods, my Laguna medium-heavy casting might be upgraded to an Aird, but my ML (Fury) and MH/M (Okuma) spinning and my MH/M (Fury) casting will probably remain as is. I'd upgrade the Spinmatic, except the Aird-X UL only comes in a 5'6" and I want longer. Aird-X definitely fishes above its price-point.

I use the same grease for my spinning reels as I do for my baitcasters. Keeps things simple - one grease, one oil.

Humminbird, Garmin and Lowrance sell kits/parts to convert a standard boat-mounted sonar to work as an ice-fishing aid. You need a portable power supply, but a small 8AH to 12AH battery should run the unit most or all of the day and they're not that heavy or large.

Looks like a Green Sunfish to me - yes, that's a species like Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Longear, etc.