On 2/20/2020 at 5:35 PM, Finessegenics said:

Alright. Two huge purchases this week, I'm done for a while. Cant wait to slay the bass come ice out. I'm most excited to use the Reins Bubbling Shaker and the triple underspin. 

 

 

How are those thumb saver deals? Noticed them on TW, seem to get decent reviews.

On 2/22/2020 at 1:45 PM, Chunk_Chaser said:

How are those thumb saver deals? Noticed them on TW, seem to get decent reviews.

I put them on my curado and slx. Both those reels have the same handle and I enjoy the handles but  I wanted to try the grips anyways. I haven't fished with them yet but I must admit they aren't comfortable at all. In fact, they seem like they'd get super uncomfortable if you had sweaty fingers and palms but maybe they need to be broken in a bit. I just find it weird how all the reviews are so positive...I'll have to actually fish with. The rubber is hard and kinda digs into your thumb because of how rigid the "ribs" are...won't be fishing with them until open water season in May, so we'll see. Not gonna write them off right away. 

 

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Reel_Grips_Pro_Series/descpage-RGPS.html#customer_reviews

 

These are the ones i bought, they're the cheapest. There's tons of other like winn grips which may have been the better choice for me in hindsight. 

On 2/22/2020 at 2:06 PM, Finessegenics said:

I put them on my curado and slx. Both those reels have the same handle and I enjoy the handles but  I wanted to try the grips anyways. I haven't fished with them yet but I must admit they aren't comfortable at all. In fact, they seem like they'd get super uncomfortable if you had sweaty fingers and palms but maybe they need to be broken in a bit. I just find it weird how all the reviews are so positive...I'll have to actually fish with. The rubber is hard and kinda digs into your thumb because of how rigid the "ribs" are...won't be fishing with them until open water season in May, so we'll see. Not gonna write them off right away. 

 

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Reel_Grips_Pro_Series/descpage-RGPS.html#customer_reviews

 

These are the ones i bought, they're the cheapest. There's tons of other like winn grips which may have been the better choice for me in hindsight. 

I know what you mean about the good reviews. I almost pulled the trigger yesterday on them. Maybe I will try the Winn. What are the things right next to them in your photo? Top right corner.

22 minutes ago, Chunk_Chaser said:

I know what you mean about the good reviews. I almost pulled the trigger yesterday on them. Maybe I will try the Winn. What are the things right next to them in your photo? Top right corner.

By the way, just saw you're a fellow Canadian angler. It's great to see you here. These are trigger happy comfort grips, spinning and casting. Spinning ones are a bit hard to get on but they feel super comfy, depending on how you hold your spinning rods. I used to have one finger above the stem and the rest below, but after starting a thread on here about balancing your setups, I decided the best way to hold them was with three fingers above the stem and the pinky below. 

 

I highly recommend these grips. Only thing you should be careful for is the casting ones. The ribbed version may be too long and leave a little nub of space at the end of your trigger if that makes any sense. 

 

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/searchresults.html#search=products&search text=trigger happy&opt_page=1&opt_sort=priceAcc&opt_perpage=100

7 minutes ago, Finessegenics said:

By the way, just saw you're a fellow Canadian angler. It's great to see you here. These are trigger happy comfort grips, spinning and casting. Spinning ones are a bit hard to get on but they feel super comfy, depending on how you hold your spinning rods. I used to have one finger above the stem and the rest below, but after starting a thread on here about balancing your setups, I decided the best way to hold them was with three fingers above the stem and the pinky below. 

 

I highly recommend these grips. Only thing you should be careful for is the casting ones. The ribbed version may be too long and leave a little nub of space at the end of your trigger if that makes any sense. 

 

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/searchresults.html#search=products&search text=trigger happy&opt_page=1&opt_sort=priceAcc&opt_perpage=100

???? Great to see you here too! Makes total sense. Going to order some right now! Exactly what I need for my spinning set ups. I don’t have the discomfort with my casting gear that I do with spinning. These could be a game changer! Thanks! Glad I got back on this week. Getting the itch really bad!

On 2/20/2020 at 5:35 PM, Finessegenics said:

Alright. Two huge purchases this week, I'm done for a while. Cant wait to slay the bass come ice out. I'm most excited to use the Reins Bubbling Shaker and the triple underspin. 

 

 

You can fish for bass after ice-out? Lucky! I have to wait until mid June here in Southern Ontario. 

20 minutes ago, Chunk_Chaser said:

You can fish for bass after ice-out? Lucky! I have to wait until mid June here in Southern Ontario. 

No of course not! I gotta wait for mid June too, but I’ll be targeting pike and walleye in early May when the season opens, (ice usually disappears everywhere by mid April though) with the same gear! So I can give an honest review then. 

27 minutes ago, Chunk_Chaser said:

You can fish for bass after ice-out? Lucky! I have to wait until mid June here in Southern Ontario. 

 

3 minutes ago, Finessegenics said:

No of course not! I gotta wait for mid June too, but I’ll be targeting pike and walleye in early May when the season opens, (ice usually disappears everywhere by mid April though) with the same gear! So I can give an honest review then. 

We're a bit earlier here - mid May (Mother's Day weekend) for C&R, Memorial Weekend for keepers. Walleye and Northern open mid May. So from ice-out till then, it's panfish only.

3 minutes ago, Finessegenics said:

No of course not! I gotta wait for mid June too, but I’ll be targeting pike and walleye in early May when the season opens, (ice usually disappears everywhere by mid April though) with the same gear! So I can give an honest review then. 

I have some places 5hrs North where bass is open all year. Thought you might have some too. 

43 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

 

We're a bit earlier here - mid May (Mother's Day weekend) for C&R, Memorial Weekend for keepers. Walleye and Northern open mid May. So from ice-out till then, it's panfish only.

So you can target bass starting mid May? Lol I wish! We can only start targeting them June 13th but you can take keepers as soon as the season opens. So it’s a very very very long wait for us up here. The walleye and carp keep me satisfied though. 

 

 

4 hours ago, Chunk_Chaser said:

You can fish for bass after ice-out? Lucky! I have to wait until mid June here in Southern Ontario. 

You can fish for bass here in Ny 365 days a year!

2 hours ago, Finessegenics said:

So you can target bass starting mid May? Lol I wish! We can only start targeting them June 13th but you can take keepers as soon as the season opens. So it’s a very very very long wait for us up here. The walleye and carp keep me satisfied though. 

 

 

I would hate that.. come visit NY where you can bass fish all year 

I’m in!! ???

23 minutes ago, Ksam1234 said:

You can fish for bass here in Ny 365 days a year!

I would hate that.. come visit NY where you can bass fish all year 

Not every county. Jefferson and St Lawrence are off limits until 3rd week of June, even C&R.

why is catch and release off lints? wouldn't someone be able to say they are fishing for another species?

edit: I get why keeping them is illegal but not cnr

13 minutes ago, Quarry Man said:

why is catch and release off lints? wouldn't someone be able to say they are fishing for another species?

edit: I get why keeping them is illegal but not cnr

Someone in MN actually posted that question to the DNR - here's the answer.

 

Q: Since walleye, bass and pike seasons are now closed, can I still fish in waters where they swim?

 

A: The closure of seasons for different species of fish at different times is designed to minimize pressure on those species when they are at their most vulnerable, usually during a time surrounding their spawning season.

For instance, pike and walleye spawn in the early spring, while ciscoes and lake trout spawn in the fall, and closures or seasonal limitation reflect that.

It is unlawful to target or fish for a species during the closed season. However, it is possible that you may catch a walleye during the closed season when you are legally fishing for a species that is open, such as crappies or perch. As long as the protected (closed season) fish was not targeted and is immediately returned to the water, there is no violation.

If you are fishing for crappies or perch and find yourself only or repeatedly catching a fish for which the season is closed, it is best to change your tactics or location to minimize the impact on that species during their time needed to spawn, and stay on the right side of the law.

 

Matthew S. Miller is a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources conservation officer with the Lake Superior Marine Unit.

 

-----

 

Since the MN DNR in cooperation with the local Sheriffs departments regularly patrol the lakes - it's best to just avoid those species whose seasons are closed.

I finally happened upon some Tackle HD 5" Hellgrammites today! Got a bag of green pumpkin and a bag of blood shot. Really impressed with what I see while on dry land, bet they'll catch small jaws! Also was pushed by bait monkey to buy 2 packs of the trout magnet 3" hellgrammites, which is teeny sized in black. Then added a Rapala DT-6 in Bruised... It's been a good day for me and monk monk

9 hours ago, RichF said:

Not every county. Jefferson and St Lawrence are off limits until 3rd week of June, even C&R.

That stinks , I live in Chautauqua county and it’s legal all year.  Just can’t keep any untill June. 

53 minutes ago, Ksam1234 said:

That stinks , I live in Chautauqua county and it’s legal all year.  Just can’t keep any untill June. 

Yeah. I think those might be the only ones off limits. Makes no sense. 

Some random purchases to get ready for the season. 

1 hour ago, walleyecrazy said:

Some random purchases to get ready for the season. 

Looking like the perfect kit to crush river smallies!

On 2/13/2020 at 5:30 PM, Dangerfield said:

Just placed an order for 2 Shellcracker G2s in Mystery Black and Ghost Bluegill and a Lunker Punker G2 in Baby Bass. Grabbed a replacement tail just in case. I can't be posting in this thread again till ice out ha ha

 

And they arrived! The spare tail is going on the ghost gill.

Outta the box for full effect

On 2/21/2020 at 6:08 PM, PhishLI said:

Me: I already have enough reels.

 

Monkey: No. No you don't. 

 

Me: OK, you're right. Click.

 

Tatula 200 and 150.

 

Wow, he really had to twist your arm lol. Nice reels! I may try the spinning model eventually. 

On 2/21/2020 at 7:08 PM, PhishLI said:

Me: I already have enough reels.

 

Monkey: No. No you don't. 

 

Me: OK, you're right. Click.

 

Tatula 200 and 150.

 

Picked up a 150 at the end of a fishing show yesterday. 

 

It looked so lonely just sitting by itself since all of his friends had already been adopted.  I couldn't just leave it there.

Got a couple new reels today. Putting them on my Xtasys for now. My first left handed reels. Tatula 100 7.1.1 and a JDM Catalina 7.3.1. I got them both for $200 in new condition from a guy on this forum. I sold a SLX and SLX XT for $165 to fund them, not a bad upgrade for $35. I still got my SLX DC and I plan to get another SLX XT, just in a different gear ratio for cranking.

 

Forgot to mention, the tatula 100 has the bushings in the levelwind upgraded to bearings