MN Fisher

@Glaucus' suggestion is a good one, I add to that the Mitchell Avocet RZT combo - comes in UL or M I have the Avocet RZ combo in ML that's my finesse rig (drop-shot, Ned, etc) and it's a nice setup for the price The main difference between the RZ and RZT is that the latter has twice the number of bearings. At $50 direct from Mitchell or at Walmart, it's in your budget as well leaving enough for line.

Having lost an eye to cancer, I have an oncology visit and a dermatology visit once a year. So far it's been nothing but the eye, but I get checked just to be on the safe side.

Remember that it's also the possession limit - so if you catch & keep 10 your first day, you'll have to eat some before you can legally keep any more.

Take some practice casts - watch how the line moves as it sinks. If there's a change in how it's moving - either stopping or moving faster...then set the hook. If you reel up the slack, it's going to fall differently - more of an arc rather than straight down.

At least gut and gill them before putting them in the fridge/freezer. Don't want anything from the intestines/liver leaking into the flesh.

Got a tablet or phone? $25 gets you contour maps with GPS tracking, waypoints and the ability to save your trips plus access to all the lake maps they have in the US. Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.skiracer.nautical_astore_lite&hl=en_US IOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/i-boating-marine-charts-gps/id994992062 I have this on my Galaxy Tab and it's great.

Considering she was 60 when that photo was taken...she's VERY well preserved.

Even out of costume?

Man, mine is through the roof. Coffee, ice-tea, water - those are my drinks on the water.

Once more Pres-25 (UL) - 4# Yo-Zuri Hybrid - treated with KVD Avocet (ML) - 8# Suffix Super 21 - treated with KVD Trion (M) - 10# Yo-Zuri Hybrid - treated with KVD

The ones I remember from my youth are Bozo Captain Kangaroo Romper Room reruns of Kukla, Fran and Ollie

Not purchased by me but by my wife for our anniversary later this month from my Amazon wish-list. I love my wife. It's only a Hook2-4 - but considering I didn't even HAVE sonar before, this is a huge step up. The tablet holder to the right is for my Galaxy - which I have I-Boating's app on. That one tracks me via GPS on the contour maps, lets me set waypoints and even can record my trips - same functionality as what's on the more expensive sonar units equipped with Lakemaster or Navonics. That blue-green stuff is self-stick foam to protect my rod's guides, butt ends of the rods are lashed down either side of the seat in back.

Hold my beer.

My backyard last fall.

I was scratching my head over that too.

It's not a 'law' but a 'regulation' - and the next paragraph in the link says that the state Reg applies IF there are state regs, otherwise the Federal reg applies. "33 CFR 175.25 provides that where a State has established by statute that children aboard a recreational vessel of a certain age wear an appropriate PFD approved by the Coast Guard, that requirement applies on the waters subject to the State’s jurisdiction. For example, the State of Ohio has established by statute that children under the age of 10 years old wear a PFD. A violation would not exist if a child of 11 years was not wearing a PFD aboard a recreational vessel on waters subject to Ohio jurisdiction."

In regards to the child in the pics above - there is a Federal regulation that exists when no state regulation is in force. "33 CFR 175.15(c) provides that no person may operate a recreational vessel underway with any child under 13 years old aboard unless each such child is either wearing an appropriate PFD approved by the Coast Guard or below decks or in an enclosed cabin. If the child is observed above deck without a PFD, then a violation has occurred. If the child was below decks with no PFD, then no violation has occurred." https://www.uscg.mil/Portals/0/Headquarters/Legal/CGHO/Civil Penalty Articles/COMMERCIAL VESSEL SAFETY EQUIPMENT/CHILD WEAR OF PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICE1.pdf If there's a state reg, then it takes precedence over the federal reg. In Minnesota, the age is under 10 years of age for the requirement. So a child of 11 not wearing a PFD in MN is still in compliance.

I'm a cheap bugger by necessity, so I use what I have. Baticasting weights (teardrop with the brass loop at the top) in 1/8 - 1/2 oz depending on depth/wind/etc.

I'm fairly libertarian as well, but when you consider the social costs it's more than just personal choice. I mean they have seatbelt laws now and you can get fined for not wearing one..isn't that interfering with personal choice? I wouldn't be against a PFD law long as it was thought out...wearing a PFD when you're on a 50' dinner cruiser (we have those on Minnetonka) is a bit much, but otherwise I'd be for it.

I consider not wearing your PFD to be akin to playing Russian Roulette. Sure you may luck out many times in a row, but one day that hammer is going to fall on the loaded cylinder. That's why my PFD is on from the time I get into my canoe until I'm back at the launch.

It might - but better make sure the hull is rated for a more powerful motor. There should be a plate that states maximum HP as well as maximum capacity. My old runabout that I sold years ago was only rated to 50HP - and I had a 40 on it.

On a single-hull boat, when you first start moving the bow will rise. Settling back to an even keel, where the deck is parallel to the water, is 'getting on plane'.

Check that your spool tension knob is all the way loose - the spool should have some side-to-side play. If it does and the lure/bait doesn't drop when you thumb the release bar...check to see if the spool bearings are 'gummed up'. That's the most likely cause.

I've been out three times so far and all I've found is dinks.

Heavy rod for flipping/frogging? Yes. That's what my Fuego setup is primarily for...pulling them out of the weeds when they burrow in.