Jeff H

For me, this November marks the first time in my life that I've fished bass in this month of the year here in MN. A number of things have combined to allow me to do that but this weather is the key. Today was my final trip and it was a great day but looks like this could go on a couple more weeks yet. Keep at 'em Hootie!

I'm done. Was out for 4.5 hrs on Chisago today and banged a bunch of 3 lb'ers on jerkbaits and football heads but no big bites. Very happy to end season on a good bite. Also caught at least 8 gators and donated 1 Lucky Craft Pointer 100 to the cause. I hope that slimebag gets it stuck in his throat and feeds himself to the turtles! Water temp was 50-51.5. Pretty warm yet for November so still good fishing to be had. Would love to go again next weekend but I gotta do some hunting.

My guess is it's the Daiwa Ballistic EX. At the current sale price it's a heckuva good buy! The casting version appears to be a Tatula Type R.

The bad thing about oil injection systems is when/if they decide to quit working they take your powerhead along with it, which is mega expensive if you can't rebuild that yourself (even if you can it's still expensive). Tough call, but if you are doing fine as is now I'd just stay safe. I like having the injection system but I worry about the day it fails and what it will cost me in parts and time for me to rebuild it.

Yep.

Pork does have that 1 drawback and it can be real detrimental. Well, 2 now actually considering availability is becoming a problem. When water temps are low 50's or colder, the pork comes out along with a bottle of B.A.N.G Real Craw. If I don't fish pork, still using the B.A.N.G on cold water plastics.

I've got 3 Tatula's and 1 Tatula CT in my collection.. I wouldn't mind one bit if ALL my reels were Tatula's or CT's. Great reels!

Amazing! Who is this guy anyway! You do this every year, do you not? I think I've seen some similar threads in the past. My best bag was just shy of 19lbs. 27-28 would blow my mind. Pork or plastic on your 1/4 oz jig?

I found a St Croix Premier ML 6'6" last summer in a local independents rack. They were discontinued so I got the rod for a great price and I took it home. It'll throw light stuff but the 6'9" ML Avid will do much better. But, that's a $200 rod. I was hoping the Premier would throw small cranks (and it will) but I'm thinking the #5 Shad Rap is out of the question. Doesn't hurt to dig around in those smaller shops sometimes.

Thank you much Gary! The height difference is... well, it isn't much but you can see it there. I don't think that would be enough to worry about. I've always preferred Alconites but next time I have the choice I'm going to get those Alps F guides.

I've also used this...works well and smells nice. http://www.productolure.com/proddetail.php?prod=LL1

I've got a whole bunch of old Strike King Bo Hawg Frogs (pork). It's too bad these aren't made any more because they are better in every way than what Uncle Josh used to offer. I have plenty of Uncle Josh too but they need a lot of work to be on par with those old Bo Hawg's. When water is this cold (sub 50 deg) pork is my preferred choice. I will still throw chigger craws but I have way more faith in pork when waters cold! I spray my jig & "pig" with B.A.N.G Real Craw or Anise about every 5th toss. I don't believe it draws any fish but I do think it helps keep them from spitting it too fast. That's very important when they pick it up so light you rarely feel them, which in my experience happens a lot when waters this cold. So, right now...gimme pork and gimme B.A.N.G and my confidence is there which helps keep focus tight!

So Daiwa puts a t wing line guide in their reels now. What's the big worry? Even if it is small gain or no gain, the reels need a line guide. This is Daiwa's line guide now as I see it. Put it on every reel they make and move on. I don't understand the whining all these years later?? It is there, it is what it is. It's what they use for a line guide now, no? Are they promoting huge gains in casting distance? I could understand any griping IF the t-wing created a LOSS in performance but I don't think it does that...does it?

Kind of a relief to know that I'm not the only one that hated that! I have never liked tip light or neutral balanced rods. I prefer mine just slightly tip heavy. Do not like the feel of tip light on the cast.

Good job punch! Water temp? I was out Thursday for a few hours on N/S Center. 3 dinks and a gator. Biggest was 14". Water temps were 49-51. I'll be going back out there next weekend, I didn't get to do all I wanted to out there.

Right there. This is what I've used for 25 yrs....or I used Berkley Strike. It takes very little to lube a 20 ct bag, don't over-do it!

Do a lot of people use this method? Is it a popular choice? I did it once, or had it done rather, and really came to dislike that rod because of it. One of the few I've sold, and wished I hadn't messed with it. There was no ignoring how much weight the rod gained, even though it had it's desired effect. So, now when I've had customs built I've asked that no ballast weight be used to obtain balance.

I kinda figured it was this but had to be sure. I actually still have flashers in my boat and prefer them, use my HDS7's for plotter more than I do sonar. But...I want to get sidescan capability now (LSS box) so I have another "view" down there!

Ok, I have never heard of "metering". Just what is it?

No snow here yet. Hit the lake this morning, water temps 49-51. 2 bass and a gator and it started raining so I headed in. Supposed to be 68-70 deg tomorrow??? Weather.com says 50+ highs for the next 2 weeks yet. Haven't decided if I'm going to park it or not but today's results favor putting away the boat and getting after some squirrels, rabbits and grouse instead!

I agree with you except I think they are over rated more than a little. Have had 2 Presidents and a Trion, don't care for them. They work, but like priced reels from Daiwa and Shimano have proven better to me. I buy the Tournament ZX reels (Daiwa) from Cabela's now instead and they have been great. Never paid more than $50 for any of them, got 'em all on sale and they've been stellar performers!

And you will call it the Fungi Head since mushroom is a fungus, right? Another reason for me to order again I guess....

LOL...yes. When I first read the title I thought of the same thing even though I knew he'd be looking for a bluegill colored skirt.

Do they move to the Minnesota side, or what?

I'll go with ya! I'll fish the river right up to freeze if you want to do it. My boats getting put away in the next week or 2 so hitting the river with ya would be fun!