MN Fisher

Machine Oil will also be fine for the bearings as long as it's the "Light Machine Oil"

Can we call my method 'Random-pattern'? I have a plan when I go out, but it's more 'fish this area and see what comes up'. Far as planning exactly where in the area, what baits to use or even the technique (do I use Texas rig here or a Ned rig?) it's a random-numbers game. I go by 'feel'.

Minnesota has no slots in any body of water.

Study the lake/pond/stream/river you'll be fishing. Contour maps are a must but also pay attention to the plant growth both in the water and on the shore.

I don't know about the 'cut-bait' - in MN it's illegal to use any game-fish as bait...and they consider sunnies, crappie and perch to be 'game-fish' here. I'm not much a fan of Rainbows for eating either. Brookies have, as a chef would put it, a much more delicate flavor...definitely worth a try, though wild-caught, not farmed.

I'd say Spotted Bass too - they've been introduced into CA, didn't know they'd made it to WA

Unless it's a creel full of Brook Trout (runs and hides) (yes, I do go out Trout fishing now and then)

One reason I cheer the fact that my wife doesn't like fish either...more for me.

Google Photos or just Google-Drive?

You should not let me into Dick's without an escort - granted, most of this I needed to replace things I hadn't used in so long they'd gotten...ugly...but still..... Replacement items 2/0 and 4/0 Worm Hooks Selection of bullet, egg and drop weights (steel/tin to replace my old lead ones) Size 4 and 6 baitholder hooks selection of split-shot sinkers (steel/tin to replace my old lead ones) couple pear floats New items - just because Rapala DT-4 Couple of rattling crank baits Couple of frogs Size 0 and 1 Mepps Comets for panfish

Minnesota has had the same keep limits in effect since I was a teen (40 years or more), and we still have an excellent Bass fishery all over the state. People keeping some eating size (2#-4#) has had no deleterious effect on the number of trophy-sized Bass caught in the state. IMO: A C&R only law/response will only hurt the hunt for the next state record in whatever state implements it. And that's also from my College Education as an Aquatic Biologist.

Even larger lakes can benefit from some culling for the grill. The one I'll be fishing is 14,000+ acres and I'll be seriously considering putting any Bass in the 2#-4# range in the ice-chest rather than back in the water. Over 4# and it'll be C&R only, but I do enjoy my lemon-rosemary Bass from the grill.

In Minnesota it's also illegal to use sunnies, crappie or perch as bait.

You can get 12v inflators at O'Reilly's for under $20. Will handle the car, bike, trailer. Mine handles up to 120psi.

Except Walleye and Pike open mid-May, Bass C&R only for two weeks before 'keeping' Bass is allowed the last weekend. So the 'Holy Walleye' for keeping has two weeks on the 'Lowly Bass'. Walleye, Pike and Bass seasons are all closed until then, so unless you can prove you're panfishing and accidentally caught that Bass/Walleye/Pike, you're in big trouble.

We got plenty and some of us, while practicing C&R on the larger fish (4#+), bass in the 2#-3# range are good eating. I remember watching a vid recently that the expert states that 'weeding out' the smaller sizes allows more to grow to larger sizes. So keeping those in a certain size range (12"-18") allows more 'trophy-size' to develop. I got no objections to that, Bass are mighty tasty in that keeper-range.

Amazon for staples like line, weights, hooks - also got my Trion from there as well as the Ugly Stick for my UL reel. Dicks and Cabelas (both local) for baits, lures and specialty equipment.

I live in MN and I fish.

Coffee through the day with some Ice Tea on the water Evenings it's Murphy's Irish Stout or Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey depending on my mood.

Depending on how I'm presenting, I'll still switch between my BC (Ambassadeur 500R) and one of my spinners (Cardinal 562 (old reliable) or Plueger Trion 30 (new this year)) - all depends on what I'm tossing. It does take a bit of getting use to a BC if you're an old Spinning user (20yrs vs 40+yrs here), but for certain presentations the BC is superior - I still prefer a spinner for some circumstances, however.

3pks Powerbait worms, 7", varied colors $10.50 1pk Lazer Sharp Round Bend Hooks, 3/0 $3.50 1 pk Ultra Steel 2000 Bullet Sinkers, 3/16oz $5.99

Depends on the state and where in it you are. SE Minnesota has Timber Rattlers, so you gotta be careful going through woods to that hidden pond. I lived in Omaha, NE (my Air Force time) and one time on the way to a back-water pond we came across a Copperhead. I think I'd rather face a 10'-14' Python than either of those two.

I too wish I had a way to watch. No cable, the homestead is ill-placed for satellite and broadcast is iffy. All I have is Netflix and Youtube available.

If I'm shore-fishing for panfish, I never go without my Mepps Comet Minos in #0-#2. A slow retrieve has the sunnies and crappies following and hitting it regularly. Can fill my stringer of eating size in a couple hours. Rod/reel - Pflueger 640 on a 4-1/2' Ugly Stick loaded with 4# Mono.

Lakes are still socked in here with Ice-Fishing still going on. Haven't seen a vehicle on the ice since Saturday, but with the crazies here it could still happen