WaskaCrank12

Sorry about that @Glenn Back to the thread topic -- The Hook Up Tackle is having a 25% off sale (seems typical exclusions apply) sale goes until January 10th

My EDGE Rods story is this -- I ordered a rod, at a significant discount -- the website said 5 to 7 weeks -- when that did not occur I emailed them, multiple times -- eventually they got back to me and said it would be approx. 2 more months -- it was winter (everything is frozen solid here in MN, so I could not use the rod even if I had it) -- the rod came in March of that year -- with a broken guide -- I emailed them and they sent me a label to return the rod (I had the label that night) -- I returned it and within 2 weeks I had a new rod -- I ordered a second rod from them (during the Gary Loomis birthday sale) -- It took about 3 months to get the rod (again, it was during the winter so no rush for me to get the rod, they told me upfront that it would be 3 months and that is exactly when I received it) -- the rod was in perfect shape when delivered -- I paid about half the cost (for the EDGE rods) of what I had paid for rods that are at the same performance level -- I have found these rods to be strong performers for me, for the price point I paid for them I consider them to be an excellent value -- YMMV from mine

@casts_by_fly -- I grew up in MA and then lived in Upstate NY before moving to MN -- in MA and Upstate NY you might get big dumps of snow, but as you mentioned you also always get cycles of warmth (above 32 degrees) and thus snow melt, a reprieve from the cold/snow -- here in MN there is no such thing. My experience here in MN (20 years here, I am 2.5 hours Northwest of the Twin Cities which means I am over 100 miles north of Toronto, to give you perspective) is that once snow hits the ground in October/November -- that same snow is here in March -- a vast white, snow blind ground cover for 4 to 5 months -- once there is snow pack/snow cover it draws cold air (and when I say cold I mean frigid arctic air, as in double digit MINUS temps) down from Canadaville -- it's brutally cold, literally it cannot get this cold for you in NJ because the ocean moderates the temp -- here it is cut to the bone cold, then add the wind in and you are deep in to the MINUS temps -- I never, ever, ever considered getting back in to the truck when I was pumping gas -- but when the wind is screaming and it's MINUS 37 wind chill, I now sit in the truck as the gas pumps -- I never, ever, ever would have considered leaving my car running when I run in to the store to get milk/bread -- but when it's MINUS 40 wind chill I do it -- I never, ever, ever considered heated seats for the truck -- but now I have them -- I thought people here were insane when they said you can drive your truck and a huge 22' ice fishing house on to the lake, but you can because the ice is many feet thick -- the cold here can literally kill you, so you need to gear up and make good choices -- Outside of the top of Mt. Washington (NH) and perhaps far northern interior ME no place in the Northeast even comes close to the cold here in MN -- the body is an amazing machine, it adapts, but you better be smart and wear the right gear or you can get in real trouble -- spring/summer and fall (although relatively short in duration) are wonderful -- but winter, it's brutal

Lutefisk - when I moved to MN 20 years ago my Norwegian neighbors invited me over for "A Norwegian treat" -- I smiled and gutted my way thru a few forks full of the worst tasting/textured food ever known to mankind -- needless to say that slop has and never will cross my lips again. MN state record for LMB - 8lbs 15oz (23.5 inches, girth 17.5 inches, 2005) MN state record for SMB - 8lbs (22.75inches, 1948) I am searching for my first 5lbers (LMB/SMB) in 2026 (when the many feet thick ice clears off the lakes)........

@Delaware Valley Tackle - thank you, words of wisdom, I will heed your advice In the spring/summer of 2024 I took on some significant boat motor issues -- bought a manual for that motor (93' Evinrude/V4/90hp) -- watched YouTube vids (Brandon's Garage/OutboardDad/others) -- asked many questions here on BR -- borrowed some tools, made use of tools I already owned (which were not many), bought a few tools that I will get use out of on the regular, had to source some parts from salvage yards, took me 3 months, it was a PITA -- but I learned a ton (made many mistakes but failed forward) and now have the knowledge/skill/confidence/some tools to take on most future engine issues -- I will look to take a similar approach to these rod fixes -- who knows, it might blossom in to making a rod someday......

OK - MN and Northern anglers - since it is winter I am spending way too much time watching fishing videos, reading forums, looking at sale items....... I see there is lots of talk about red color lures/orange color lures being used in the spring/spawn period of time.........and since it looks like we (MN) can perhaps get on the water earlier in 2026 I am thinking about purchasing a red/orange lure or two.....yet I wanted to ask what your experience is with red/orange lures ? Just because it might work in other places in the country does not mean it would work here in MN.........You thoughts ? Your experiences ? We are under a blizzard warning until about 12noon tomorrow........Stay safe, stay warm !

@HawkeyeSmallie - The Hook Up Tackle will have a "Misfits" sale next week -- so you can use a 20% off gift card and layer that on to whatever other % the item is discounted -- that is my plan (yet if you are seeking P5's they would not have an additional % off -- yet purchasing a P5 at 20% off is a really good deal !!)

@Logan S --- Excellent information !! Thank you - you gave me the clarity and information I was seeking

@Logan S and @spoonplugger1 Yes, there seems to be a big difference in machines and pricing --- looks like a basic "rod dryer" machine is about $50 --- where other more complex machines that are $1000 This is why I asked the initial question/added the topic My preference is a take on projects myself (even though I am not an intuitively mechanically inclined person) -- yet I also appreciate that some projects are best suited for those with the skills and tools (I have a cousin who is a master mechanic for Honda and I certainly defer to him as he has the knowledge and tools to do a significantly better job than I ever could -- I have a cousin who is an HVAC expert and has all the knowledge and tools to complete things I could not/would be too expensive) So --- it seems the search continues --- I do not have designs on moving into rod making (yet you can never say never !) -- so I don't want to invest thousands in to machine/tools/things --- I am just looking to see if it is worthwhile for me to purchase a ???????????????????????????????????????? to use to roll the rod as I apply epoxy and thread

@A-Jay and @Jigfishn10 Thank you for the information ! I had ordered an epoxy/brushes/thread "kit" from MudHole - but I did not know what the rolling machine was/is (they seem to have a bunch of different roller type machines that all seems to serve different purposes) ---- I am an avid reader/researcher so I will definitely look into that book as well as the machines that were posted. Thank you !

I have a few rods that have lost tips and one that has a bent guide (probably needs to be replaced). I have watched several videos on these types of repairs and it seemed the person doing the repair had some sort of machine that would "roll" the rod so they could apply epoxy and/or threads evenly. I am considering making these repairs myself - yet I understand that I need to learn more and perhaps pick up some needed materials. One of those needed items might be the machine that "rolls" the rod. My naive question is -- What is that machine called ? Are there certain brands/companies that make them ? Are there styles/makes to stay away from ? Thank you in advance for sharing your knowledge/expertise.

RIP Tom - This fall I purchased a Shimano reel from Tom - the reel was wrapped/packaged with great care and included a very nice hand-written note - we shared several PM's back and forth in which he shared his knowledge of the reel, how he used it and some tips on taking care of the reel - He freely shared his high level knowledge and deep passion for fishing - He will be missed but never forgotten

@HawkeyeSmallie - I came in to using the DEPS Deathadder (3") and Nories SwitchOnTrailer (2.5") as trailers on the Dera Break micro-chatter bait thru trial and error - I just kept experimenting with different trailers and these were the ones that caught the most/largest fish and seemed to allow the chatter bait to move/track/dart/dive well, they allowed the chatter bait to do it's thing - I did keep the appendages on the Nories SwitchOnTrailer (although after an handful of catches generally one or more of the appendages were bitten off, so I would change out the trailer once it lost two or more appendages) --- the Nories seems to have less action to it yet enough that it attracted bites, the Dera Break chatter bait tracked very true with the Nories on it --- The 3" Deathadder was great, the fish seemed to love it, the only negative is it tears easily (wish they made an elastomer version) and I had to make sure I super glued it on so it would stay on the hook/lure, I think the size/weight/movement of it's pin tail is a good fit for this micro bladed jig --- The YouTuber - NorthernStrainStyle has some awesome underwater footage of baits/lures if you are looking to check out the actions of lures/baits

@Swamp Girl - yes, Mille Lacs seems to be "The lake" in MN for big smallies - just a little intimidating in size (over 130,000 acres) and from what I read if it is windy (which it often is) then it can be treacherous -- Mille Lacs is about 2.5/3 hours northeast of me The Upper Mississippi is about 2.5/3 hours southeast of me -- I could dunk in at Hudson, WI and go north or south from there -- LaCrosse, WI is 4.5/5 hours southeast of me and I have heard that area is fertile smallie territory as well So - it will take some planning, decisions to stay over-night or not and building my confidence -- I want to be ready and confident that I am worthy of going to these locations and seeking these bass - so it might be this year (26') or next (27')

As I head into year 4 of boat fishing in April/May of 2026..... 1. Continue to revel in and take in all the awesomeness that being on the water offers (at least 40 times from April to October) 2. Take in a few night fishing excursions (thank you to all that have/will reply to my post in regard to night fishing, fantastic information !) 3. Explore two new lakes (ideally Lake Mille Lacs and/or Leech Lake as those are superb smallmouth lakes, yet that might not be realistic at this point in my fishing journey, so I am open to other lakes as well) 4. Pursue and catch a 20 plus inch LMB/SMB - I seem stuck at 19/19.5 inches - ideally catch a 5lb plus LMB/SMB (I went from catching 64 fish in 2024 to a little over 230 fish in 2025, but my focus in 2026 will be more on size than on numbers) 5. Learn how to AND use my (old school) electronics (I basically use them for water temp/water depth/traveling speed/travel direction and that is it) - I mark my catches on a paper map (photo copied) - really should be marking them on the electronics (yet I have to learn how to do that first !) 6. Continue to learn and grow and ask questions and work thru the many mistakes I make 7. Stay healthy, stay in the boat

Here in west central MN -- my local lake has had it's earliest ice out on March 21st (once) -- it's latest ice out being May 11th (several times) -- the median appears to be April 17 -- so far this has been a wicked fall/winter -- plenty of days with blizzard conditions, many nights of brutal arctic/MINUS temps -- for 2026 I believe MN will allow bass fishing before the second weekend in May, so it would be nice to get out before then -- yet based on the wickedness of winter so far I am going to say Ice Out here will be ---- April 26th, 2026 ---- 123 days to get monster fit and ready to slay an @A-Jay sized Brown Bass (even one half that size would be awesome !!)

@HawkeyeSmallie no, no sales tax on purchases from The Hook Up Tackle they have 20% off their gift cards (until Christmas Day I believe, but you should check that) -on a fairly recent order I was going to place with Tackle Warehouse I was being charged sales tax (not the fault of Tackle Warehouse) and also a 50-cent "MN Roads and Transportation" fee (not sure what this fee is ?) --- so I did not make the purchase.

@rboat - I can relate --- three years ago when I bought the used boat/trailer it was a big learning curve for me --- there were times when I went to the ramp, gave backing up 10 tries, then just abandoned it and went home --- or if I pulled into the ramp area and there were other trucks/boats waiting to load/unload I would just leave and come back at another time --- I practiced in the Walmart parking lot (brought my own orange safety cones), practiced in the yard, practiced at more wide open ramps --- and now three years later I nail it 9 out of 10 times on the first try --- it's about skill acquisition and confidence building --- you've got this !!

Recently I have been reading a bit about night fishing/fishing in the dark - specifically about fishing at/after sunset. I have not done (fishing at night/in the dark) to this point, for several reasons - I am newer to boat fishing so I needed time to increase my navigation skills/confidence (I will always be vigilant, I am now fully confident in my skill level) before boating in the dark (as we all know darkness complicates the on-water environment) -- and our ramps here are dark (I have now installed LED lights to the back of the truck to help with backing in to a pitch black ramp). But I would like to try night fishing/fishing in the dark in the summer of 2026. I don't think I would stay out for hours and hours in the dark yet might extend to an hour or two after sundown. What suggestions do you have ? Do you use any special lighting ? (ie, spotlight ? head lamp ?) Do you change up what lures you are using ? Do you fish more shallow ? deep ? stay with your same patterns ? Thank you !

I too live/fish is grassy waters - so once the grass grows in I have gone to shallow running cranks to get over the top of it - things like Megasbass Griffon (SR-shallow runner, the ZERO is also a shallower runner) - Megabass Blowly IvI (runs about 1 foot deep) - several other smaller, shallow running cranks ------ yet reality is there is a point where many areas are just so thick with grass or silt I have to either go to much deeper water or go with other lures/jigs/pure top waters I like @A-Jay suggestion of getting to the shadow line and staying stealth - right at or after sunset ---- I have not fished past dark but may try that in summer 2026 to take advantage of that suggestion (might have to invest in a spotlight/head lamp for the boat and lights for the back of the truck as the ramp areas are dark and backing in with full dark could be tricky)

RAID Japan - Bukkomi Craw Daddy -it's big, thick, I believe 20grams or more BUKKOMI CRAW / BUKKOMI CRAW DADDY | RAID JAPAN

I live in MN - so I have been a supporter of both Omnia and Thorne Bros. - my hope is that as they navigate their merger they will find ways to retain and grow their customer base - the "fishing industry" seems quite competitive - and it seems like a volume driven industry (my guess is small profit margins on individual products, so you need to have high volume to generate $$) - I have a PRO Membership thru next October so I will monitor and weight the pros/cons of renewal between now and then

@wolfe_ohara - thank you for the recommendation - I have an iROD Kamani Coastal (spinning, 7'6", Heavy/Moderate) that I use as my deep cranking rod and it does a great job at keeping fish pinned ----- so I will check out the iROD 731s @MN Fisher - as mentioned I have the Victory 7'3" ML/XF and Mojo Bass 6'10" ML/XF (along with an Okuma Celio 7'6" UL/XF that you had recommended, and I enjoy it for pan fishing) and all three are nice rods - I have just struggled to keep, let's say, 16 plus inch bass pinned on them, lighter/smaller bass/pan fish are no problem to bring into the boat - but I have experienced consistent issues with jump-offs with these XFast action rods -- and I have mentioned this before -- it most likely is operator error on my part - yet is has me looking into potentially purchasing a ML/Moderate or Fast spinning rod (and I have gotten some good suggestions here) @Big Hands - thank you for the feedback and suggestions - I am looking into a number of the rods you have mentioned - I am still relatively early in my fishing journey so I am open to different brands and models - as I mentioned, I am the OP of the thread, I have found XFast action is not my favorite -- yet I have learned, as mentioned by many, that labels on rods can be deceiving (I have an Evergreen Combat Stick that is labeled as XFast, yet it is a WAY different action than the St. Croix XFast) The search continues........

@Goby @WRB-2.0 - You are correct that part of my challenge with the X-Fast action rods is operator error/operator issues - I just finished year three of boat/bass fishing so I am still fully in the learning phase - I have made progress yet have many years of learning ahead of me. Getting slack in the line makes sense to me and no doubt has played a factor in having the fish jump off/throw off the hook -- it has happened with both single hook and treble hooks -- and has happened most often near the boat, specifically if I reach for the landing net (which can create slack in the line) -- so making sure I keep tension on the line/keep slack out of the line and having a firmer hook set are things I will focus on. Thank you for sharing the info. that I should be looking to use the X-Fast action rods for single hook applications and shy away from using them for treble hook applications (With winter here for the next 4 months I am going to look to make a chart that I can reference - showing what rods will work best with what lures/baits - I can use it as a quick reference chart until I get to the point where I no longer need it). It also makes sense to me that the moderate action would be more forgiving if I am allowing slack in the line. Instead of relegating the current ML/X-Fast rods to panfish duty I will look to work on my technique and lure choices with them. Thank you for the info ! I do enjoy throwing lighter treble hook baits -- so I may still look for a ML/Mod spinning rod in that 6'10" to 7'2" range - I would like to stay in the $200 range for a rod - so @Darth-Baiter I may look at the Phenix rod you mentioned - @Brian11719 the Poison Adrena looks to be an awesome rod yet it might be a bit out of my range, I certainly will keep an eye out for one on the used market -- @Eric 26 I have an Okuma Celio Ultra-Light that I use for panfish so I will look in to the Okuma rods you mentioned -- I am not in a rush as winter is in full effect here in MN and will be until April or so Thank you again for your replies and input !!

As we have had about a foot of snow and minus temps (100's of people are already out on the hard water) I am going thru my fishing log and fishing gear ----- one thing I have found to be consistent over the past two years is that once hooked I land a high percentage of fish on my two "Moderate" action rods (a Medium 7' Abu Garcia Veritas spinning rod and a Heavy 7'6" iROD Kamani spinning rod) -- conversely I lose a high percentage of fish once hooked on my two "Xtra-Fast" rods (a Medium/Light 6'10" St. Croix Mojo Bass spinning and a Medium/Light 7'3" St. Croix Victory spinning rod) -- both of those rods are Medium/Light power Xtra-Fast action (both are nice rods, yet I believe I am going to relegate them to crappie/bluegill/pan fishing duty in the future as they seem to do well in landing smaller/lighter fish) --- All of this could of course be operator error on my part, yet it does seem the whippy nature of these Xtra-Fast action rods makes it significantly easier for fish to jump off/throw the hook --- so my question is --- Do people have any recommendations for a Medium/Light -- Moderate action spinning rod ? I would say probably in that 6'10" to 7'2" range Thank you !