MN Fisher

Doesn't matter how early ice-out is. Here we can't target bass (or lake-dwelling rainbows) until May 11. So from ice-out until then, I'm limited to panfish...by law. Accidental catches of the others (and walleye and pike) HAVE to be tossed back, even if they're eatin' size. Can't even keep the bass until May 25.

Unless it's baby-bass, those are mainly panfish lures. I'd use my President 25 with 4# or Avocet rig with 8# for those (Ultra-light or Medium-light)

That's why the Ziplocs - they haven't affected those at all.

Soft plastics are de-bagged and put in snack-size Ziplocs with the cut-out label of what they are. Those bags are put into Plano 3606s - 1 to 2 bags per slot

One thing I do know having Google E-Mail addresses - you get 15gb of space on G-Drive for free with a Google account. 100gb for $1.99/month, 2tb for $9.99/month. Only thing I use my G-Drive for is backup for my E-Reader program - allows me to sync reading position between my tablet and my phone.

Let me guess "The Life of Rabbits" "The Ins and Outs of Squirrel Behavior" Things like that?

Too bad you didn't have a camera running so you could watch the replay.

There's a little band of water along the edges of the lake - at least Emerald and Cook's Bay. Melting should speed up at this point. Hoping for open water by mid-April.

Which is exactly the setup I got for my pitching/flipping. Got my Fuego on Amazon for $74 - so definitely room for line and a few pitching jigs to go along with it.

What is this 'palming the reel' you speak of? On finger in front of the trigger, other three fingers grasping the rod behind the trigger, thumb on the switch/spool. This is how I've always held a baitcaster...there's a reason they call it a 'handle'.

The one I have - reel was a gift from a member here, rod was purchased. Pflueger President 25 - $59.95 at TW Diawa Spinmatic 6'6" Ultra-Light/Fast - $34.99 at FishUSA

I don't use an online site - don't trust my stuff that way...also why I don't use Cloud Storage. Paint Shop Pro on my desktop.

Been checked and dutifully take my meds. If you're swapping hands, you obviously have issues. Might want to have that checked.

When I had access to good trout streams, I picked up a fly rod. Man was that a tough thing to learn. I eventually did, but after moving to a place where access to trout streams was difficult, I sold all my fly-fishing gear...including the fly tying equipment - ya, I was tying my own. Now it's been years and picking it up again would be like first learning it.

The one you're just starting to learn... For me - that's pitching & flipping. Never done it before because I didn't have a rod/reel combo I was confident that had the power to pull through the weeds. This year it's a technique I'll be learning and practicing...and probably loosing some lures with.

Back when I had the 14' Runabout, I'd occasional camp on one of the islands in Minnetonka. Years of Boy Scouts, survival training in the military and just general common sense gives me these additions 1. Bring a tarp as well - either for use as a ground-cloth or to set up as cover in case your tent has issues. 2. Even if it's spring/early summer - some long-johns would be a good idea. 3. Yes, yes, yes. Something heavy on top of the cooler. If you don't have a cooler, a 'bear bag' to hang from a tree branch. 4. Bring both - always have a backup for something. 5. Bring two. 6. Should go without saying. 7. Even packages of crackers and cheese from the convenience store counter - protein and carbs. 8. Boat camping makes this less necessary, but don't go overboard on supplies - pack what you need. 9. In ziplocs in several places - including your back pocket 10. Fire starting - always have at least 2 ways to start a fire and know how to use them. I always had 3...lighter, magnesium w-striker, waterproofed matches.

All my reels have/will have the drag set to 1/3 the pound-test of the line, with the exception of the Fuego. Since I'll be putting 50# on that, the drag will be set to 1/2 it's max rating...so 6.5#. The Avocet is rated to 18# on the drag...WAY more than I need since the line will only be 8# test...it's set to 3#.

Personally - Quantum is owned by the same company that owns Zebco, and I had nothing but issues with the two Zebco reels I had when younger. Maybe they've improved the quality, but my experience left a bad taste in my mouth for Zebco or anything associated with them. I know nothing about Okuma so I can't say anything about them. I stick with brands I've used in the past that gave me good performance, quality and long-life...Abu, Mitchell, Pflueger, Diawa.

I'm not sure about that...haven't had anything on my list(s) for more than a month before purchase.

It's working fine now, and the items I had on mine before the drop came back...so anything you had on it before it 'disappeared' should still be there.

Rem oil is bad for any plastic parts in your reel. Get a good oil labeled for use on fishing reels. Far as how to clean/lube a reel - YouTube has tons of videos showing how...there might even be one that shows your particular reel.

I got my Trion-30 last spring. Every trip I took I used it for a variety of techniques. Smooth and sturdy is how I'd describe it. This year, even with me adding setups to my arsenal, I'll still be using the Trion for smaller crankbaits, 2-treble jerkbaits and lighter spinner/chatterbaits (1/2oz and less). Given my experience with it, I'd suggest the Trion. Another possible is the Mitchell Avocet RZT. This is a significant upgrade from the RZ, which I have one of. Given how well my RZ worked last year, I'd consider an RZT if I needed a new reel in the budget range.

Walk away from Dick's - reg price there 4.99; reg price TW or FishUSA 3.99 All the soft plastics at DSG are inflated in price except for their home brand: 'Field and Stream'

Unless you're using the TRD on a drop-shot...that might help some.

That's a guy who after passing a pretty girl headed the other direction, turns his head to check out the caboose.