Jeff H

Some funny suggestions. No Stripers in MN guys! I wish....

Just sent you email about Daiwa handles.

You do not want this reel, not at any bargain price unless you mean to give it to somebody you really don't like at all. This is an incompetent bass reel for several reasons with most important being the drag is junk. It is sticky and it is weak but should be ok for sub 3lb fish. This reel does not have externally adjustable centrifugal brakes, it is a magnetic system. My comments are based on personal, hands on experience. My oldest boy bought one new, didn't like it so I bought it from him for my youngest to use and at 11 yrs old even his experience level surpasses this reel. He gave it back after 2 trips and took up with one of my old CU-200 Curado's instead. It is very light and nifty looking but it's list of attributes pretty much end there. I will probably give this ZX away when I find somebody who deserves it.

When all this panic buying/hoarding is over, the ammo companies are going to have problems selling anything. Too many will have way more than they need and sales will drop like a rock. I have less than 700 rds of .22 LR and hope I can make it last awhile because it's going to be a long time before I can find more.

If you are on a budget, then consider a Berkley Lightning Rod IM6 in the 6'6" or 7' medium power models. It will work just fine for drop shotting and only drain your wallet of $40 + tax. Very capable rod for the price.

800mg Ibuprofen helps me get through a day.

Not likely. It's probably the cables.

I've been using Mike's jigs and skirts for years now and am happy as can be with his products. Great jigs and awesome service you just don't get anywhere. Very accomodating with custom requests also!

Heard from Junebugman this evening also and he had a heavy day in Wisconsin yesterday too.

Well, I hope some of you MN boys were able to get out and enjoy the stellar weather this weekend! Unfortunately, I have a nasty case of the crud (bronchitis) and I slept all weekend. I was really kind of bummed when I decided at 7AM this morning that I just needed to go back to bed. There should have been a real good bite going on! Hopefully I'll get out next weekend in the cold.

Yes, tough weekend. The weather made sure of that. We maybe caught a dozen bass but they were all 12-14". No giants lost, hooked or otherwise. Not sure where I'll go next weekend yet, but I've about had enough of that low,dirty water for awhile.

It's been awhile since I've been here. I'm from Coon Rapids and mostly fish Chisago area lakes, Forest, Big Marine, East/West Rush and some lakes in Aitkin/Crow Wing County. Big Marine was horribly crowded with pleasure boaters all summer, worst I've ever seen it by far. Going to Chisago or South Center tomorrow but the lakes are getting really low now.

Wow! What a great thread, all the way through. End result looks incredible!

Assassinator makes a sweet, high quality, hidden weight Compact model that is worth a look!

Isn't the WaveSpin another Hannon "snake"?

I think it will be interesting to watch and see how he does. Not saying I'm a big fan, just would like to see if he's still capable and consistent in todays field.

w/emerald green flake!

To each his own, but I disagree that copper works well in low light conditions. Bad choice for that in my opinion. In bright light, copper is great though. The lenses on my Costa Del Mar Man-o-War glasses are copper and in low light I hate 'em. Have an old pair of amber lens Hobie's that are MUCH better in low light but I'm gonna replace those, probably with a rose colored lens. Rose is pretty nice in low light.

Big M custom for me, and I'll be right PO'd if I ever lose it to a darn gator! It is WAY hotter than any factory shallow crank I have right now!

My faves are the Rapala Rattlin' Raps. Blue /Chrome is my killer.

Watch it with the boat. Don't be in a hurry on that, and stay closer to 10K than 5k if you can help it. There is lots of junk floating around in the below 10K segment. I know, I looked for most of 2010 before finding what I wanted in a 98 Champion 191 Elite. Tonka's great, but I don't care for dealing with the "pleasure" crowd out there anymore, so I go up north. Not to far from you actually, I'm down around the Garrison/Aitkin/North end of Mille Lacs area, mostly. I do get out on Gull now and then too. LOTS of good water up there. If you can raise your budget on the boat for next year, you'll be MUCH better off.

Thanks guys! I use the Gamakatsu EWG Superline also. I was pitching thick reed edges last time and the point would hang up. When I skinned the point, I was missing every fish that hit. So, I tried the offset shank 5/0's that I had and those were not a good idea at all. I'll try those flipping hooks and see how that goes.

Whats your ultimate Beaver hook? Offset, straight, EWG, other?? Brand?

Looks pretty darn nice. I say take the test ride and wring it out, make sure it runs good. Check the compression on the engine and just make sure everything works. I think the price is pretty fair at $8000.

Well, it is sure nice just having it built right in!!