MN Fisher

Rapalas come with VMC for one reason...Rapala owns VMC - so it's in-house. They also own Storm, Luhr-Jenson, and Blue Fox.

Tatula CT reel - https://www.amazon.com/Daiwa-Tatula-Baitcast-Fishing-Reels/dp/B01CUWGKAO?th=1&psc=1 Tatula XT rod - https://www.amazon.com/Daiwa-0001-4032-TXT701MFB-Tatula-Cast/dp/B013RTHZ8A?th=1&psc=1 Just a bit over your budget...but a well recommended reel on a fairly good rod. Toss the Spiderwire and get some Power Pro in 30#

In general, a MH is a more useful all-around rod. Since the Arditos both have the same 'bottom end', I'd go with the MH to have the ability to toss some 3/4 spinners/chatters with trailers...remembering that the rated lure-weight is just the head and doesn't include the hook, blades or skirt.

If there was enough bank not already occupied...or not a mile or so away from any parking. The local cities around Minnetonka have instituted 'No Parking Anytime' near most designated shore fishing spots. Those places that are accessible are usually shoulder-to-shoulder.

Light T-Rigs get tossed on the Trion with 10# Yo-Zuri Hybrid.

Sounds like my schedule. I have to plan my trips a week in advance, and about 1/3 of the time I can't make the trip because of wind and/or rain...a canoe is not something to go out in when it's blowing 15-20mph with gusts to 35. So I haven't had as many trips out as I'd like.

It's not much of a time thing. I put the caps on before taking the lure off, then take the caps off after tying it on. Also prevents me sticking myself with the hooks while removing/adding a lure to the rig.

Jerkbaits and Crankbaits get treated the same. Owner Treble Hook Safety Caps. No more tangled trebles. https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Owner_Treble_Hook_Safety_Caps/descpage-OHC.html

Well, if you're talking sale price instead of retail - the CA-80 can be had for $75 on Amazon...and the Fuego (retail $110) is available on Amazon for $71. I'm looking at adding another Fuego to my arsenal this winter.

If I was going to get an inflatable - it'd be an automatic. If you conk your head during your 'exit' from the boat...a manual won't do you any good.

https://www.kastking.com/kastking-megajaws-baitcasting-reel_p0256.html I don't think you'll find an aluminum frame reel for under $100 - the Diawa CA-80 being the lowest priced one I've found.

It's a special formulation of the Polyethylene (PE). Regular PE reacts to some chemicals in the worms...mainly the scents but also the chemical that keeps them soft and pliable. Worm-Proof PE has an added ingredient that resists those chemicals.

Always have a fuse or circuit breaker rated for the equipment between the battery and device...always.

That first catch of the year does smell good...even better after it's filleted and broiled (deep inhale) AHHHHH!

I had to make that same adjustment going from an old Abu to my Fuego. The Magforce-Z system is even different enough from my Pflueger President that I have to shift it in my head when casting. That said, I think my next reel purchase will be another Fuego.

Well, went and looked it over...couple soft spots in the main floor, some dry-rot around the front live-well and the transom seemed a little 'wobbly'. Passed on it. Maybe next spring I'll look at some boats.

I've had them all - best in my mind is Ruffed Grouse. (sighs) Loosing my 'shootin eye' and not being able to switch means I can't go get them in the fall anymore. Far as the 'muddy taste', couple good suggestions. I only keep LMBs in the 2#-3# range...smaller and you don't get decent fillets, bigger and they start tasting too 'gamey'. I do soak the fillets in clean water with a few drops of lemon juice added before freezing. Seems to help.

When my old runabout had that issue (40HP Johnson) it was the starter coil.

Okay - got out for a bit and despite the wind trying to blow my canoe across the bay even with the anchor managed to hook one. No pic because my net was tangled and by the time I got it free, the bass shook the hook. I estimate it was around 2lbs though. Would have been nice to put in the cooler Shad-Rap 07 in Perch was the lure. In other news, I'm looking at used boats.

I'm about done with the canoe on a big lake. Cruisers and even other fishers zooming by at speed. Every trip ends with bailing gallons of water out from the wakes washing over the stern. So I'm looking at used boats in the area - this one is within the budget the wife set...looks good and I have an info request in to the marina that has it on brokerage. Anyone with any experience with this model...or one close to it?

As @LionHeartsaid, you're not changing the ratio. To take up line slower, either get a lower-ratio reel or turn the handle slower. All taking line out will do in the long run is make you re-spool more often as you lose what you have to break-offs and lure changes.

Gives me hope for a good day - I'm going out tomorrow.

Low end of that range - Pflueger President ($60 from TW) on a Diawa Aird-X ($55 from TW) - $115 I have a President and it's a good reel, my Aird-X rods are Baitcasters, but I'll be replacing the Ugly Stick my Trion is on with an Aird-X Upper end of the range - Pflueger President XT on a Diawa Procyon - again TW for a total of $160 As you can probably tell, I'm a Pflueger/Diawa fan

You have to force it up a bit more and pinch over the keeper so that the keeper grabs the bait in such a way that when it slides back that fraction of an inch, it's now not 'bunched up' against the head.

There is a technique to it. Place the bait up next to the Ned-head, thumbnail just past where the hook starts to bend over...that's your mark for the hook-point to exit. You need to have part of the curve of the hook in the bait for it to lay properly.