Jeff H

Yes, that IS a good buy! They are nice reels.

I get tired of fighting the wind when it's 15+ mph day after day. 5-10 mph don't bother me. I like some wind at all times. Flat calm days ain't a favorite of mine and I want them no more than I do 20+ mph winds.

Sanders and Zona don't have any ownership in B.A.S.S that I'm aware of. Mckinnis does along with a couple others.

What gears are you swapping? You must be pulling gears from a 103P or 100M, right? Fuego gear set should be a straight swap if you are after the 6.3:1 ratio. The Tackle Trap carries the 6.3:1 gear sets.

I stay in the middle too. Now and then I break my $200 limit, but not often. Usually manage to stay below $150

done that, that's a fun day! I think this works more often than people realize. Gets tiring though.

I traded a mint Castaic SF for 1000 rounds early this spring. They ain't what I prefer but it's all I could get. I have not seen any 40 gr at all. Everything has been 36gr or 38gr. Very seldom do I see any at all and it's always limited amount buy. I'm setting pretty good now though (about 2000 rds left) and hopefully will last until I can find some good 40gr round nose. Not buying any more until I find 40's.

Tricked out Fuego is my current favorite.

I think you can get a right hand Alphas SV for $200 from Japan Lure Shop??

Mr Twister Comida deserves honorable mention. Nice baits but durability is probably no better than GYCB Senko. However, they are cheaper and have good action.

..and that's ok, I usually have no idea either.

....or a toothbrush. Probably no need to pull them off.

You guys could all be suckers. Maybe he's the one that's being facetious?

Very moving! Ain't afraid to say I hug my 2 dogs every day! Misty is creeping up on 16 yrs now. Tucker is 8.

I was on Chisago last Sunday. Was chilly in the morning!! Did pretty good, no big bites though, 17" was biggest. All caught on Senko's. They wouldn't hit anything that was moving. This is one of those lakes you'd have to be a complete spode to get skunked on, even after a major cold front. Fun lake to fish.

Yesterday would have been a tough bite anywhere. I'm heading out now and expect the same or worse today. I'm foregoing the usual 5am start and starting late as I don't think the bite will be worth snot this morning. Going to Chisago as soon as I finish my coffee here. If you have any other questions just PM me.

I NEVER fish deep on those lakes. Docks will be a factor.

I read it.

backing under the braid? Anyway....I'll bet this is your problem and there is nothing wrong with the reel.

What kind of line do you have on it?

Same for me, and my index finger ends up on the rod blank right in front of the foregrip.

Don't need it but they sure are comfortable and make that task easier. My favorite worm rod is a 6' MH/F spiraled split grip custom w/pistol grip and fighting butt. If I'm gonna cast with one hand, I prefer the pistol grip!

New developments in Hugo are pulling water from the WBL aquafier....supposedly. If they keep that up, that lake will just continue to shrink. We called it Mini-tonka back then, based purely on the heavy traffic but the fishing was good too. I've caught some nice smallies from WBL in the past. In fact, I recall one tournament that was won with a bag that was all smallies. I don't recall the weight but it was better than 3lb average. It was an impressive catch then. I didn't catch or see any smallies last weekend but I hope there are still some out there.

Stanley Wedge are good baits! I don't run a trailer often but when I do it's usually a Kalins 5" grub or a Culprit 6" worm. Depends on how much buoyancy I want to give the bait. A 5" grub will really slow it down, the worm...not so much.

I love heavy power rods! I've got at least 5 of them, one is a David Green custom spiraled St Croix Avid. 3 are 6'6" and 2 are 6'10" They KNOW you mean business when you whack 'em with a heavy! No matter what they are hiding in, they comin' out!