MN Fisher

I'm just wondering how thick you want it? You can get sheets or even 15"x60" rolls of 3/8 Neoprene Rubber from Amazon.

If I was starting over and wanted three rigs to cover most everything, this is what I'd do. 8.1:1 or faster baitcaster, 7' Heavy/Fast rod, 50# or 65# braid - pitching, flipping, frogging, heavy spinner/buzz/chatter/jigs (3/4 oz+), heavier Texas/Carolina rigs (5/8 oz+) 6.6:1 to 7.3:1 baitcaster, 6'6" to 7' Medium or Medium Heavy/Fast rod, 15#-20# flouro or 20# braid - most crank/jerk baits, moderate weight (1/4-5/8 oz) Texas/Carolina rigs, spinner/chatter/buzz baits or jigs 5.3:1 to 6.6:1 baitcaster OR 3000 size spinning reel (5.2:1 to 5.4:1), 7' Medium Light or Medium/Fast rod, 10#-12# mono or flouro - lighter crank/jerk baits, light Texas/Carolina rigs (1/16-3/16 oz), finesse rigs (Ned, wacky, drop shot, weightless worms, etc) I direct tie all my lures, don't use leaders at all.

It's just a short stint - again from the NWS Saturday Partly sunny, with a high near 37. South wind 10 to 15 mph. So we're back to late-fall weather here by the weekend.

I'm hunkering down tomorrow night...from the NWS Tuesday Night Patchy blowing snow before 9pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around -31. Wind chill values as low as -58. Winter has arrived with a vengeance.

Only button I have that controls traction is the 2WD/4-Hi/4-Lo switch Of course it's a 2001, so maybe didn't have the auto traction control...though I can set the 2/4 WD to auto.

My prior truck to the Silverado was a WT/1500. 2WD, V-6, 5-speed manual. Never had an issue on snowy/icy roads...you just have to know how to work the clutch in those situations.

It's not the rods and reels that's the danger...it's the hooks that are murder.

They're saying 6"-10" tonight, blowing snow tomorrow. Tues -9, Tues Night -29, Wed -16, Wed Night -29 Then near or over 30 by the weekend. Our temps have been like a bouncing ball all winter.

Until the beginning of last year, all I had were the 640, Cardinal and Ambassadeur. Added the Trion and the Avocet last year to expand my techniques. That was the reason behind the Fuego...adding pitching/flipping to my repertoire this coming year.

Two of my rigs are new this year. The Fuego and the President. Two of my rigs were new last year. The Trion and the Avocet. Last two of my rigs are 40+ years old. The Cardinal and the 640. Had a 20 or so year old Ambassadeur 500R until this year, winter tear down and maintenance showed that it was past it's lifespan. The President is it's replacement.

Okay, I've updated my blog to show the steps to get to this point.

At my age and with my knees, getting in and out of a kayak is a non-starter. Also, you said that occasionally you'd have someone with you, so a kayak won't do for that either. Put a 'stadium seat' on the front, molded plastic one and you're good to go with a co-angler.

A moderate length canoe with a square stern for a TM. Bed extender on the truck to take that to 10.5'. That's how I transported it this past year in my '01 Extended Cab Silverado with a 6.5' bed. This is my canoe, though this year I did buy a trailer (need to assemble yet) and it's in the midst of modifications. 14' Sun Dolphin Scout SS, changed the mid and rear seats out (need to paint the wood yet) and added outriggers for stability. Including the TM, battery, battery box and all the mods and trailer, it's still under $2000.

Welcome to the dark side...we have cookies.

Nope - from https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/watertrails/lifejackets.html "Minnesota law requires one U.S. Coast Guard approved, properly sized, and easily accessible life jacket for each person on the boat. All children under ten are required to wear an approved life jacket at all times while in a boat." So you're only required to have it at hand, not to wear it unless you're under 10 years old.

During the warmer months, same here. Early and late season, Dr. Scholls Work Boots.

My PFD goes on just before launching, comes off after I'm back at the ramp.

When I got the first spinning reel I could swap handle sides on, I did it. My right hand may be dominant for things like writing and such, but my left arm is stronger (go figure). So my right hand is on the reel handle and my left does the casting and working the rod. Except for my Pflueger 640 - can't swap the handle side on that one, so while I still cast with the left hand, I swap hands after the cast and work the rod with my right. Since it's my UL rig, it's not such a big deal.

Stay away from Dihydrogen Monoxide. It's a chemical that can corrode many metals, can cause death if inhaled, causes skin damage if left in contact for too long. Has California banned it yet? They should based on their past banning of 'dangerous' chemicals.

Both of the Diawa Aird-X rods I ordered through Amazon came in thick-walled cardboard tubes from the actual seller. I'll definitely order from Amazon again the next time I need a new rod - the prices are better in most cases.

I'd still lean towards the Pflueger Trion despite my original suggestion...my old Pflueger 640ul is 40 years old and still going strong, so I know Pflueger makes things that last. Of course Abu-Mitchell makes things that last too, my Cardinal 562 is that old as well.

I don't even have that excuse...she handles all the family financials. So any purchases and she gives me 'The Look' - there's no escape.

Another reason I installed outriggers on my canoe. Trying to pitch with a 7' rod from the seated position is near impossible unless you've got arms like an orangutan.

Exactly, my Trion-30 (5.3:1) takes up 25.9 IPT which fairly compares to a Fuego CT-H (6.3:1) which takes up 26.3 IPT. Spinning reels ARE lower gear ratio mainly because the spool is larger diameter. Can't directly compare gear ratios between spinning and casting reels.

I forgot about the Trion-20. That's a UL size and also under $30 from Amazon (I refuse to give Wally-World any of my business). Another good reel as my Trion-30 was a workhorse this past year, the 20 should have the same durability.