Deephaven

Great list for that rod. For jerkbaits the casting equivalent of it is great. I hate fishing any jerkbait with a spinning rod.

Your reasoning is wrong, but the result is right. The longer rod can take up more line/stretch with the same motion on the butt which can help your hookset. At the same time, the extra leverage the fish has on you is a multiplier on what you feel on the rod.

Are you looking for small due to your budget or is there another constraint? The deeper the V and the bigger the better the boat is in big water.

I use 20lb braid on my jerkbait rod. Never have had a problem. For everything else I run 30lb outside of frog/muskie stuff which is heavier.

Drove by Tonka today and saw no ice anywhere. I know it stacked up with the wind yesterday, but I wouldn't be surprised if they call yesterday or today ice out.

It isn't stopping either. At least the boat will get it's maiden voyage this week without driving to the river

Tonka is getting close, if the wind keeps up it might even be today. Current status: Grays Bay, Echo Bay, Gideons Bay, Excelsior Bay, St Albans Bay are 100% open Carson's is still ice packed which is a bummer as it is the closest launch. Most importantly for calling ice out Lower Lake is really opening up today. Rode my bike by here two days ago and there was only 3' of exposed water on the shore line. In a couple hours it receded 100'. Time is coming soon! Was going to take the kids fishing on the river this Thursday, may just do it on the home water. How is the West side? 70F and super windy is moving ice out fast!! Jealous of yours being gone A-Jay!

The Marine Cooks go-to tackle storage. Great for spinner bait, chattterbaits and buzzbaits

Agreed....however it only happens to me on an impossible target cast I nail perfectly. Not enough to change lines but enough to shout an expletive or two

Brand new pair of Lowrance 12's got installed today.

A good portion of the time last year I used just straight braid without a problem.

Since I switched to keeping them in the bags I've had no problems either. When they were loose...even when I was diligent I lost tackle.

In general I lock mine down, but am ready the instant I set to loosen it. Lock down being relative to the test on the rods.

No, best way IMO. Or repackaging like this: Removing from the bag takes too many slots and the rust propagation potential is also much more damaging.

Nice, glad it is starting to work. Personally I'd either lip the fish with the trebles or if holding the fish like that get my other hand on the line to pull the lure away. Trebles in hands aren't fun.

Got myself a new toy yesterday. Something a bit more fuel efficient than my larger egg. Figured it is almost spring as there is now water around the edges of the lake so some kabobs were in order. I don't like anything over cooked so I prefer mine separated. Add a homemade pita and some toum and yum. Feels like spring.

My UL spinning gear is a L. BC medium is as long as I go. I don't like to use any baits that require spinning either.

It is a must. Goretex has a water proof repellent on it that wears over time. The more dirt and abuse the less effective it is or the more often you need to replace the "not so" durable water repellent. Unlike the above I would highly NOT recommend the wash in. The tech wash is a good product, but the wash in ends up putting DWR on both sides of your garment. The inner portion isn't meant to have it on and then the breathability changes. The whole point of Goretex/eVent etc is to allow your body to breath while keeping you dry. Instead wash your clothes normally and apply the spray on. It works amazing at restoring the waterproof behavior of your shell.

No. Mine are extended with a piece of another rod glued in. Amazing how little overlap it takes. Guaranteed it is not where my rod is going to break.

The bottom of the Winn grip on this rod is nearly 100% extension.

I have lots of attention extended rods. Just a piece glued in under the cork that only I know about.

Wind usually ups my bottle bass catch and release rate as well.

Great work. I love my customs. The one I built is the most satisfying to use as well

Thanks. I bought a track style snowblower and took the tracks off. Going to buy a welder and a couple winches and build one of these: Just using my temporary solution until then. I appreciate the offer though!!!

Be honest with yourself and write down the baits you use and what percentage of the time. Then determine the ideal rod for those baits and use that to make the right decisions. I am of the school of thought that getting a basis first is key and then everytime I come up with another lure that I feel I "must" have tied on all the time I buy another rod.