MN Fisher

Watched the vid - much ado about nothing.

This is what happens when the athletic department of a college/university gets more support than the academics. Sports in college are suppose to be a sideline to learning...not the main focus of an educational establishment. When did we switch that?

The spincast combo? If that's the one...the rod is rated to 2oz on the standard combo http://shop.zebcobrands.com/808-reels-combos/808-808h702mh-20-ns3.html The 'Bite Alert' combo is rated to 8oz lures http://shop.zebcobrands.com/808-reels-combos/bite-alert-ba808h702mh-20-ns3.html

Latest NWS forecast has less than 2" of rain between now and Friday...with some more snow Thursday night. That's not going to make too much of an impact on the current snow cover.

Life Preserver is more important than a motor...you can always paddle a boat. Cell Phone or 2-way radio to call for help if needed. Anchor so you don't drift off your spot. Map of the lake/river so you don't get lost. Plenty of water - it's hotter on the water than it is on the bank. Fishing gear. That's all I can think of off the top of my head.

Only way I know there's a tournament happening is that I see posts on it here. Personally - watching a Bass Tourney is as exciting as watching a Golf Tourney...I.E. Snooze Fest.

If you go with the intention of nudging into someone else's 'spot'...then yes, that's disrespectful. I go out when I can...where I can. I don't watch or even pay attention to when/where tournaments are being held. So if I'm on someone's spot, it's totally unintentional and I can not be blamed for that. That's the difference...being there on purpose knowing a tournament is being held, and being there accidentally because you had no idea there was a tournament going on.

Last report had Minnetonka still at 16" of ice. With all the snow on top, it's well insulated. That snow has to go before the ice can start really melting. Even with the upper 30s and 40s forecast - I don't see any of my fishing spots opening before mid-April.

Another 'Attack of the Zombie Thread'?

My personal position is that it's public water, open to all. Whether there's a tournament on or not, no one has the right to 'push' someone from a fishing spot. If the Pros want to 'hog' the lake, then the tournament organizers need to pay a fee to the state for a temporary designation of 'private use only'. If they're not willing to fork over the kind of money needed to do that, then tough luck...the lake and any spot on it is open to whoever gets there first.

Depends on other factors as well. The rain will help melt ice faster, but cloudy conditions slow the melting somewhat. Wind will also help the melting process. Best bet is to check with your local DNR/Department of Fish and Game/who ever...they're the ones who check on ice conditions around your state and the ones to declare lakes ice-free.

I use 12# Stren Flourocast on my Trion without major issues...I don't even use a line conditioner on it. Maybe I'm just lucky.

Which is why I do my Ned rigs on my ML (1/16-1/2) rather than my UL (1/32-1/4). I prefer to have my lure weights towards the middle of the rod's rating rather than near the top where possible.

A little Google search and I found that the battery is rated to 9 amp-hours. Check the manual on the unit - or do a Google search on the model - to find the 'Current Drain' for the unit. Searching on the Hook-4 I found that it draws 1.1 amps - so that battery would last a little over 8 hours (9/1.1=8.18) using a Hook-4 or Hook-5. That's assuming the battery is in very good shape and hasn't been subjected to too many drain-recharge cycles...the more cycles it's been put through, the less it'll hold.

When I spool up a reel, no matter whether it's Mono, Flouro or Braid, I keep it slightly taunt...not enough to pull hard and possibly bury a loop under others, but enough to make it lay neatly on the spool. This works for me whether it's a spinning reel or a baitcaster

How ever many trucks you think you'll need...triple it.

I haven't used any high-end spinners...nor mid-ranged one's either...though I have handled a few at the local Dick's to check them out. I do know that my Pflueger Trion and my Mitchell Avocet RZ worked well for me last year. After a winter cleaning and re-lube, both feel like they did new out of the box. Both are considered 'budget' reels, but considering my usage, I don't see a need to spend more for reels that I don't think I'll really feel much difference.

@Glenn's BR channel on YouTube is one of the one's I'm subscribed to. Massive amounts of good information given in a laid-back style that makes them a pleasure to watch.

Lure at 33% more than the rod rating...maybe...for a while IF you take it easy. Lob and soft retrieve. For something that heavy I'd go find an Extra-Heavy rod...maybe one that's rated up to 3oz. Using a rod at or (worse) above it's rating is asking for trouble. I personally like to have some 'fudge factor' so on a 3/4oz rated rod I'll usually toss nothing heavier than 5/8.

I'm a little more cost conscious - 12# Stren Flourocast...hasn't failed me yet.

A thin kerf modeling saw - try not to use heat on plastic, it'll deform. https://www.amazon.com/Zona-35-550-TPI-010-Inch-Length-16-Inch/dp/B000BRESQY?source=ps-sl-shoppingads-lpcontext&psc=1

The amount of heat needed to loosen the glue would also strip the paint and deform the plastic. If you really want to remove the rattles...I think drilling an appropriate size hole in the top, shaking out the balls, then sealing with some 2-part epoxy would be the best bet. Someone correct me if I'm wrong on this. Realize also that you will totally change the action of the lure.

Lived in MN since 1974 - with a 4 year break due to the Air Force. Never caught a Muskie in my life...and I don't care. I've never targeted them, so why would I worry if I haven't caught one? Far as the over-hyped gear. I buy what A. I can afford and B. What I think will work. So far that viewpoint hasn't let me down.

They've up the forecast to 8"-14" of snow on Saturday. In response we had this little tidbit from the local newspaper. "A legal objection — with tongue in cheek suspected — was filed Thursday against what is just the latest drumbeat of a relentless and exhausting winter. Hennepin County District Judge Kevin Burke signed an emergency temporary restraining order filed by the citizens of Minnesota that names as defendants Minnesota Meteorologists, Old Man Winter and Mr. Snow. In his ruling, laden with ample doses of legalese and humor, Burke wrote, “This order is issued because there is compelling evidence in the record that Minnesota Meteorologists have conspired with the other defendants to increase television and radio ratings. Who, for example, would watch the weather in Hawaii, where it is always nice?”