MN Fisher

I guess I just trained myself to do the opposite - right eye was dominant, but I still cast with my left hand. Now it's a moot point as I lost my right eye to cancer 4 years ago. Good thing I was already left-handed for casting.

Most shorter Light rods handle 4-8# test. I know some do their DS on 6# and I do mine on 8# I know some 7' Light rods handle to 10#...check your rod's line rating. Long as it's good with the line you want to use I don't see a problem using a Light rated rod for DS, Ned Rig or any other finesse technique. I use a Medium-Light just because that's what came with my reel in a combo buy.

Once more into the breach. I'm a righty, but my left arm is stronger and more stable than my right for some reason. Only BCs I've used have all been right-hand retrieve, so casting with my left and reeling with my right became the norm. Older spinners that I've since retired were all left hand retrieve, so I cast with my left and switched. New spinners are swap-able, so I've moved the handles to the right side. Left hand cast, right hand retrieve.

I've always just used the old-faithful Arbor Knot around the spool - whether it's braid, mono or flouro...spinner or BC

More than that - using the spool capacity calculator HERE https://www.pattayafishing.net/fishing-reel-line-capacity-estimator/ It estimates 115yds of 65# using PP Spectra - check your line's specs at the manufacturers page for the numbers you need.

Based on a couple different length-to-weight charts - at 21" it could be from 5.3 to 5.7 lbs Nice job - bigger than my PB which is 4lb12oz

This vid goes through the whole process - the drivers for the races and seals can usually be rented from your local auto-parts store

Sounds like bad luck - putting too much strain on the line trying to free the lure. Any line will fail at any point along it's length if you put it under too much stress.

That sounds like how I rate them. I may have to make a Secchi disk to take out with me...haven't used one since college 40 years ago, but I think I still remember how to use one.

Depending on which one - anywhere from 1/4 oz to almost 5 oz. https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Spro_Swimbaits/catpage-SPROSWIM.html

I've completely upgraded my arsenal over the past two winters. Original lineup: Abu Garcia Ambassaduer 500R (5.3:1) on a 5'6" Medium/Medium Ambassaduer Abu Garcia Cardinal 562 on a 6' Medium-Light/Medium Berkley Enforcer Plueger 640 on a 5' Ultra-Light/Fast Ugly Stick The new lineup is pictured below Diawa Fuego CT-XS (8.1:1) on a 7' Heavy/Fast Daiwa Aird-X - New purchase this winter Plueger President (7.3:1) on a 6'6" Medium/Fast Diawa Aird-X - New purchase this winter Plueger Trion-30 on a 6'6" Medium/Fast Ugly Stick - New purchase last spring Mitchell Avocet RZ-2000 on a 6'6" Medium-Light/Fast Avocet - New purchase last spring Pflueger President 25 on a 6'6" Ultra-Light/Fast Diawa Spinmatic - reel was a gift, rod purchased this winter The President BC replaced the Ambassaduer The President-25 replaced the 640 The Cardinal was merely retired Yes, the spinning reels are all set for right-hand retrieve.

Anything other than 3/22 - prefer west side of MPLS if possible. (The Local in St. Louis Park?)

My finesse rig - which includes tossing Neds - is the Avocet RZ-2000 on the 6'6 ML/F (1/16-1/2) Avocet rod. I spool that up with 8# Trilene XL. Like others, I find a spinning setup better for light techniques.

My camping is in a 9' dome tent with a queen size air-bed. Not those cheap air matresses, high-quality one with a battery powered inflator/deflator. Regular sheets, blankets, pillows...I love my comforts.

'Dad' and Sara playing tug - lost her about this time back in 2001...I still miss her.

I'm way overpowered for towing. My 2001 Silverado has the optional towing package and is capable of towing up to 11,000 lbs. So what will I be towing? An 84lb canoe with trolling motor, battery and fishing gear on a 220lb trailer. Whoopee.

Switcheroo - they're saying mid to upper 40s for us next week.

Today's the warmest it's been in weeks - only hit 38.

HEY! Send that back this way - we need it.

Same in Minnesota - we've even had lakeshore home owners cited for harassing boat fishers because they were 'too close to my property'. Trout and panfish are my other targets - eatin' fish.

Which is why here you have to dispose of unused minnows in the trash instead of dumping them in the lake - even if you caught them in THAT lake.

The canoe I have is the Sun Dolphin Scout SS...14'... and rated to 765lbs (You, Trolling Motor, Battery, etc-etc-etc) https://sundolphin.com/scout-ss/

Those regs were in place LONG before Jesse was Gov. I think some of them are good ones...Bass are just large Sunfish (yes, they're the same family) and Yellow Perch are members of the Walleye/Sauger family after all. They're all gamefish far as I'm concerned. Plenty of minnow species out there to use without cutting into the gamefish.

I'm not small at 6'1 and 210. I went with a canoe and am in the middle of some modifications to make it more stand-up/sit-down friendly. Total cost will be under $1000 - with another $600 for the trailer and it's one mod. This is where it's at so far - just some painting, laying down traction tape and finishing up the wiring left.

Just make sure your state allows you to use certain fish as bait. In MN it's illegal to use any gamefish as bait...and bluegills (all sunnies) and perch are considered gamefish under state regs. We also can't use salamanders.