MN Fisher

Looks like a morel mushroom - good eating...but make sure because there are some others that look similar that are slightly poisonous.

I've got the 'Reel Sonar' digital scale - tossed the gripper that came with it and got a Rapala. Moded the scale by getting rid of the hook and putting a carabiner on it that I clip the gripper on to.

I know - I have two others in my arsenal. I'm thinking one of two things - could be a combo 1) Improper tension when spooling up the line - line should be snug on the reel, but not so tight it starts digging in 2) Brake(s) set improperly. Some will say never go below 30# braid on a BC - maybe to start, but I've not had problems with 20# myself.

Funny - I have 50# Power Pro on my Fuego CT-XS on a Diawa Aird-X 7' H/F and 20# Power Pro on my President on a Diawa Aird-X 6'6" M/F...never had that issue.

I don't - I'm on a limited budget so my frog rod is also my pitch/flip rod. Diawa Aird-X 7' H/F

The model number is TXT741HXB On the TW page for the Tat-XT https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/catpage-DAIWAROD.html?from=basres it's listed as "Daiwa Tatula XT Casting Rod 7'4" Heavy Frog"

Humminbird PC App

I do Lowes anyway - they got a better selection and quality than Home Despot...and it's just up the road.

(Digs his Cambridge N99 masks out of the emergency box)

Closer than me - I predicted the 20th...I think.

Well - I don't ice-fish, bass season closed here on 2/23 and doesn't open for even C&R until 5/9. So no, I haven't caught a bass yet this year either.

Ratlin' Rap, DT-4, Shad Rap 'Natural' colors - perch, bluegill, etc

Ballpark price range? Spinning or Baitcasting?

Correction to earlier - I just came back from an errand and didn't see any ice at all. Might not be official, but I'm declaring Minnetonka as open. DNR HAS declared some of the surrounding lakes as officially ice-free. Virginia, Langdon, Minnewashta, Steiger and Long got that designation this past Monday.

I don't even bother with frying - broiled, baby...it's the only way to go.

About that - have to remember that the weight of the jig printed is JUST for the lead/tungsten in the head. Now add hook, skirt and trailer to that.

Might be earlier - it is here. Black, Emerald and Seaton - all small lakes, part of the Minnetonka group - were open with boats on them yesterday. Cooks Bay and Spring Park Bay were 30%+ open with the rest being 'mush'.

Well, mine is only a 7' - but my H/F is used for flipping, pitching, punching, larger topwaters (WP-90 & 110, Super Spooks, etc.) and frogs.

Well, I do this between canoe trips - which can be a week apart. BUT Night before a trip, charger gets plugged in and the lures I'll start the morning with replace the ones still on from the last trip - so 8-10 hours on the 'new' knots before casting. More convenient to store them so I don't have to feed line again.

I do NOT want to know what you do with your PFD. It's called CYA syndrome...everybody is doing it.

(Twaps Mr. Fry upside the head for the reely bad puns)

Got my license beginning of the month - ours run March 1-February 28/29 Boat registrations here are for 3 years - mine doesn't expire until the end of this year Still no word on a stay-at-home order...but I'm not holding my breath

You nervous for some reason, Mike? You're stuttering.

Didn't take pics, but the two places I shore fish are open. Black Lake and Emerald Lake are ice-free. I saw that Seaton was also ice-free, but there's really no shore-spots there. Spring Park Bay was 30% open and the rest looked like 'mush'...so we may have an earlier than average ice-out this year. Might go cast a line from shore sometime the next few days.

Well, unless something changes - I can still go out shore-fishing. Canoe fishing is in the air until things settle down, just because of home situation. MN Executive Order 20-20 has this provision. "Minnesotans may leave their residences only to perform any of the following activities, and while doing so, they should practice social distancing: Outdoor activities, such as walking, hiking, running, biking, hunting, or fishing"