MN Fisher

Add to that, there's a big difference between a disfigured mouth and losing a good portion of it's oxygen gathering capability. I do agree with @Glaucus...that bass should have been taken home for a meal.

Chance? Yes - but it's slim. If it doesn't bleed out, it's not going be able to chase down food as well as it did before. Think about your activity ability after loosing part or all of a lung.

Given my preferences for Pflueger/Mitchell for spinning reels and Diawa for all rods, here's a couple setups at or just under your $150 mark Pflueger President XT on a Diawa Fuego Mitchell 300-Pro (308-Pro/310-Pro) on a Diawa Procyon

Only battery I have is a 75AH deep cycle for the TM and Sonar. I'll toss it on the charger the night before I'm going out - after unplugging everything. The West Marine charger I have has auto cycle, so I COULD leave it on the battery all the time, but it's not necessary.

All the financial report sites still show Camping World as the owner of Gander Outdoors (Gander Mountain's new name as of last year)

I might work...it's just as valid as any other method. With me, I have to plan my excursions at least a week in advance because of scheduling issues. Of course the forecast for that range is 'iffy'...so wishing for good weather for my planned excursion IS a big part of my prep. If it's storming that day or excruciatingly hot...guess what...it's going to be 7-10 days before I can get out again. So yes, I DO wish for good weather on the day picked for my outing because if it's not good weather, it's a while before I can get out again.

I always wear sunscreen on exposed skin - red-head = burn like a lobster. For me it IS the heat - I've suffered heat-exhaustion and heat-stroke in the past...that makes me more susceptible to suffering those again. For me it's an actual physiological issue and not just a matter of comfort.

I want the rain gone, but I don't want the heat...I don't do well when it gets into the mid 80s and above.

I've had no problems with my Z-Man plastics even though I've taken them out of the original packaging and put them into Ziploc Snack Size bags which are put in Plano 3606 boxes. Of course I don't leave them out in the heat - my 'worm bag' goes into the basement (steady 60o) between trips.

Even in a canoe don't do this. I tether my rods, I tether my tackle bags, I will NOT tether myself...I wear my PFD the whole time.

Having only one eye makes tying knots a bit difficult for me. I did use the dropper loop but even that took time and effort. Picked up some VMC spinshot hooks and now use those with the extra line from filling the reel cut to the length I want and a casting weight at the end.

Oooo...more things to tie onto my Avocet...sweet

Is that $50 per rod and $50 per reel? If so... Rods - Diawa Aird-X...I'm happy with mine and you can find them on Amazon for under $50. Reels - I'd up it a little and go with Pflueger President at $59. I have one and it's a very good reel for the price.

I took a glance - when I saw that the Fuego CT had a markup of $15 over TW I stopped looking around.

You forgot the hammer - or as an old friend of mine called it 'the carburetor adjuster'.

The only 'brick and mortar' store I go to is the last remaining local bait shop in my area - Wayzata Bait and Tackle. DSG lost my business long ago for trying to 'downsell' me to their home brand instead of what I wanted to get. Closest BPS is a 4 hour drive each way, closest Cabelas is 45 minutes each way in good traffic - double that for rush hour. I still shop BPS and Cabelas...online only, some of their stuff is better and less expensive than the name brands IMO.

I have two sizes - 5" 'Electronics' needle nose for most of my de-hooking. Then for deep, gut-hooked fish, a pair of Irwin Vise-Grip 13.25" Compound long reach - lets me de-hook even a fair-sized northern that's swallowed the lure.

Standard installation of a console mounted sonar is to use some kind of glue/sticky-back foam/caulk to insure a secure fit. You might have to use a thin putty-knife to cut that medium away before you can remove the sonar-unit.

What I've been using for over twenty years is Calendula Essential Oil. Don't need to 'slather' it on...couple drops at the wrists, ankles and behind the ears and I don't even get 'bugged' by horseflies.

Diawa also has the Tatula XT spinning in a 6'6" M/F 2-piece. Check manufacturers sites for more selection - places like TW only sell what they can move. Quite often a manufacturer has quite a bit more than you'll see at TW or other places. Check other fishing sites - FishUSA, Sportsmans Outfitters, etc An example is that TW doesn't carry either of Diawa's Ultra-light only lines - Presso or Spinmatic.

Then I'm confused - why object to one company collecting tax on behalf of ILL. while having no issues with a different company doing the exact same thing?

Either one - it's your home state that gets the money. That's where the collected tax goes to...in your case, the State of Illinois Department of Revenue.

That's why I agreed with @Glaucusabout the Trion - I have a 30 that I use for light T-Rigs, smaller crank/jerk baits and other med-light techniques (1/4-5/8 oz). It's a good reel for the price.

Ugly sticks aren't all they're cracked up to be - compared to my other rods, they're almost like pool cues. I know, I have one in M/F that next year is going to be replaced - by a Diawa Aird-X...I have two of those for BCs and am very impressed with the sensitivity and power given the price-point. Spend the extra $5 over the Ugly-Elite - get an Aird-X.