Deephaven

30# here. Avoids the necessity of a leader more often IMO than 40#. Also casts and handles fine on a baitcaster. For super slop though I prefer heavier.

If you pick any random Has nothing to do with available cover and everything to do with pressure, boat traffic, and other structure. If you pick any set of random days on Tonka and fish a frog for 8 hours it will not average out well for you. There are plenty of lakes I've fished where that will normally net you your largest bag. Not saying I haven't had great moments on Tonka with frogs, but even being my favorite lure it is one I hardly throw on the lake. Interesting that you say the swim jig is your lure of choice on it as I never fish one, have always thought I should but it isn't a confidence bait for me.

For me it'd be a frog. Not because it would provide the most success, but because I want to fish one all the time. This would force me to exclude certain bodies of water...like the lake I live on, but there are plenty of lakes in MN. That all being said, I never leave the house without at least a dozen rods tied up though so the one lure thing just doesn't match my reality. I also never bank fish.

Vanish and Pline Fluoro are the only ones I've tried...caused me to not try others. Reading here is giving me some hope that I just picked bad.

Oh that sucks.

How much was the total purchase? I was told by an exporter that if it was over $800 then you would get fee's....but that number may have been different as it was over a year ago. ie, $600 or something. Just wondering if you broke the threshold.

Hooks all in the bags they came in. Everytime I've ever unloaded them in a box even if I am uber careful with water some rust. The organization trick for me is all used stuff goes into another box to be dried, sorted and filed later. The hook bags are in 3700's with weights and other terminal pieces together. Jigs in their own box as it is easy to end up with a few boxes alone of them.

Depends on what you mean by large lake. Either way, I would buy a glass boat assuming that by your definition of large means waves. As for which one, that depends on how much you will use it. Going to be early 2000's for a big glass boat in that price range. Lots of ones that are just fine. Sold my 521 with well over 1200 hours and it had zero issues. Looking at something like that though it'd be good to know your level and desire for working on it. Lots of older boats will need electronics, batteries, maybe an udpated trolling motor, live well pumps and such. Hell any boat needs that sort of service and I am way too cheap to pay anyone to do it.

I have an 844 and a SC LE MH that I extended for that reason. Had a rod builder make the SC 7'10" for bottom fishing and the 844 to 7'4" for skipping docks and such. I fish a lot of 1/4oz T-rigs and like a softer action rod for tossing those. SC MF kicked out to 7'6" is what I use for those. At your budget I would absolutely have a custom stick made for exactly what you want to throw. 3/8 & 1/2 work well together on a MH. Personally I use Thorne Bros outside of Minneapolis...but I can drive there somewhat quickly.

Thanks! I sent Don a note. Bought them at a Bassmasters University event eons ago. Hope he responds that he has some!

I realize that there isn't anything intrinsically special about the jig, but it's a strong confidence bait for me. I bought a bunch of them direct from Don in the early 2000's and when I need a bite they have been my goto. This is my last one. Would love to buy some more or something similar. Anyone have any recommendations? It's been 10 years since I've had a boat...that one is in rough shape.

All of them is too much. All - 1 = perfect

Chrome, gold chrome and perch

There was a female under our dock guarding a nest this year. Regrettably two of the neighborhood boys took turns catching her. Over a period of 2 weeks she was caught at least 1-2x/day. Always returned to the nest and usually instantly. I "assume" female as it is MN and the bass was around 3.5lbs and spawned out looking. I never personally held her but it would be odd for another the same size to take her place.

So after you just pull the worm over the tag ends of the peg it?

I have a rod built on an Avid 6'6" MH blank that I use for finesse weight baits in cover. Could be skipping docks, milfoil edges or whatever could sacrifice a fish, but pretty much only when it is a hard situation to toss a baitcaster.

I had the St. Croix Legend Elite 6'8" MXF spinning rod blank built into a bait caster for jerk baits.

I change rods, not lures. Everything is pre-rigged. Doesn't mean that I won't change colors or re-tie once I am out.

That's Toxic.

And I posted the work around for it

My big boat only has a 5 pin. This is an alternative if you don't have the 5th pin. Can put it on when you have to back up. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07ZGM867K/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

If you think it is hard on you guys, I bought my boat 4 days before our bay froze over. Haven't owned a fishing rig in 9 years. Going completely nuts. Made worse that it is cold and not enough snow to rip around on snowmobiles.

I'd adjust regionally for both fish. For instance, MN record LM 8lb 15oz, SM 8lb 00oz. My PB in MN is just over 7 on a SM. A 7.25lb LM was caught in my boat here...but not by me

Thorne bros reloaded a long time ago. Great to see them have a terrific year. Awesome store.

Would you be as passionate about fishing if it was your job our would your objectivety increase? For me, I spend on gear stupidly because it makes me want to fish more. Not about more fish in the boat. The Pro's I have met change their public tune really fast when the sponsorship is over. No surprise there, it is a business. They treat it that way. Want any proof watch any Ish video and watch him stomp all over the rods on his deck. He definitely sets the hook frog fishing, but my budget sure the hell won't allow his footwork afterwards.