I'm in need of a all around Heavy Cover rod after selling my Xtasy 755c, Sierra 735c, SLX 7'5 H, & Fenwick HMX 7'6 H this season. I think I'm going to build my first rod with either a Phenix K2, M1, or NFC X-Ray blank with Carbon Fiber Grips. Looking for a blank rated up to 2 oz., so let me know if you got any ideas. Of course, I'll have to find a reel for it when I'm done and I haven't even started thinking about that yet.

 

Other than that, I will probably keep it light on baits this year as I didn't even use half of what I got last year. But, I would like to get some more 6th Sense Lures and a couple more Red Eyed Shads, and some more Ned Rig hooks, also some Owner Stinger Treble Hooks. Plus, I'm going to be stocking up on some GoPro 8 batteries at 20% off, seeing how the old batteries suck with it.

 

I've also been waiting for Old Town to start stocking places with their 120 Autopilot or 106 MK for months now. I bought a 2020 Native Slayer 10 this summer, but I'm unable to operate a peddle kayak with a bad foot, so it had to go back.

I plan to upgrade 2 or 3 reels if I found some discounts/deals and sell a few of my older ones. Also a few new crankbaits/treble hook restock.

 

I plan on buying gas to put in the truck and boat so I can go fishing ?

I spent last winter making fishing lures. Made lots of them. They drained the lake to fix the dam and this summer the fishing was sooo bad. I made more lures than I could use.

 

I've broken out my old musical instrument wood stash from 40 years ago and I'm going to make an acoustic guitar. I used to make them years ago. Gonna do it again. A lure takes about three hours. The guitar will take about three weeks but I'll stretch it out a bit to be able to putter during the winter months.....

 

I already sorted my wood....My purchase plans will revolve around this during the winter here in Maine. Fishing stops at this time.

 

Garmin Force. But only if I can find enough reviews to make me comfortable with it. Otherwise I’ll be buying an Ultrex. 

Either a Megabass Orochi Jerkbat Special or a Shimano Expride 6' 10" medium. I haven't decided between the two yet. A Shimano SLX MGL to go with the rod and #10 Sunline Assassin.

 

Two items stand out for me that I'm looking forward to ordering this winter. Zman OG mushroom head and the Zman Nedlockz EWG.

On 10/2/2020 at 1:27 PM, MN Fisher said:

Just remember, if you're not hooked on the T-Wing - the Fuego CT is just a Tat CT without the T-Wing...for $20 less retail.

I found out today my Fenwick HMX70M-FC warranty claim won’t be filled until the end of December, so I switched it to a Fenwick HMX76H-FC, which I should get next month. That will give me M, MH and H actions  Would the Fuego CT be suitable for a Heavy, casting lures up to 1-1/2 ozs?

1 minute ago, BrianMDTX said:

I found out today my Fenwick HMX70M-FC warranty claim won’t be filled until the end of December, so I switched it to a Fenwick HMX76H-FC, which I should get next month. That will give me M, MH and H actions  Would the Fuego CT be suitable for a Heavy, casting lures up to 1-1/2 ozs?

Well, I've pitched/punched with 1oz weights, a Flipping hook and a 1/3oz plastic using my Fuego loaded with 50# braid without an issue on an Aird-X H/F (rated to 1-1/2oz). The rod you're getting is rated to that, so I think you'll be fine.

Diapers.

14 minutes ago, J Francho said:

Diapers.

Are you getting to that age, sir?

I can only dream of a day when I can just ring a bell…

 

No, have a 4 month old. 

On 10/2/2020 at 3:18 PM, Crankin4Bass said:

Nice!

 

Sorry off-topic question. Do you run snow tires in the winter?

Yes

BF Goodrich.

All terrain KO

A-Jay

 

 

I've done my first 'winter' purchase already...wife let me 'borrow' against the Yule gift from the parents.

 

Found a used Pflueger Patriarch for $70 on AL - yes, ordered it. Now I get to learn how to use centrifugal brakes...

No plans really fishing wise...but will I buy stuff anyway? Absolutely. I may buy a couple new reels...one for my frog rod and one for the new spinner bait rod I don't plan on buying but will end up doing so. I may upgrade my truck...was going to this year but life happened.

1 hour ago, MN Fisher said:

Well, I've pitched/punched with 1oz weights, a Flipping hook and a 1/3oz plastic using my Fuego loaded with 50# braid without an issue on an Aird-X H/F (rated to 1-1/2oz). The rod you're getting is rated to that, so I think you'll be fine.

All I needed to know! Thanks!

46 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

Yes

BF Goodrich.

All terrain KO

A-Jay

 

 

I have those exact tires (LT285/70R17’s) on my ‘05 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4. On my second set at 175K. My first set lasted over 100K. Great tires!

1 hour ago, A-Jay said:

Yes

BF Goodrich.

All terrain KO

A-Jay

I like and have used those tires, very long wearing, currently have Hankook Dynapro AT on now and like them in deep snow a lot.

A new set of winter tires, mine are 4 seasons old and worn pretty good.  On the fishing side of things, probably not much as me and the wife have a child due in March.  

1 hour ago, MN Fisher said:

I've done my first 'winter' purchase already...wife let me 'borrow' against the Yule gift from the parents.

 

Found a used Pflueger Patriarch for $70 on AL - yes, ordered it. Now I get to learn how to use centrifugal brakes...

Had to go open the box on mine.  Yup.  Dual control.  6-pins inside (comes with 4 on, 2 off from factory) and an outer dial for the magnetic braking.  No numbers.  Instructions suck regarding opening the sideplate.  There are none.  Lift the latch up and turn it in the direction shown.  Needed to use a little more force than I was comfortable with to open and close the latch.  I am used to grabbing the whole sideplate and turning it once the opening mechanism has been released.  Can't do that on this reel until you turn the latch.  My concern is using too much force on the latch.  However, once I set the pins I leave them alone.

 

No idea where to set brakes on the Patriarch.  I have the brakes on my XT set lower than any other of my reels.

 

Haven't used my Patriarch, but have use my Patriarch XT for a few years.  If the regular is anything like the XT, you are going to love that reel.

Tires: Can't afford two sets, can't afford 'high priced' - so my last change was to a set of Cooper Evolution M/Ts...yes, even the spare got replaced. Served me well last winter - should be fine this one as well.

14 minutes ago, new2BC4bass said:

Had to go open the box on mine.  Yup.  Dual control.  6-pins inside (comes with 4 on, 2 off from factory) and an outer dial for the magnetic braking.  No numbers.  Instructions suck regarding opening the sideplate.  There are none.  Lift the latch up and turn it in the direction shown.  Needed to use a little more force than I was comfortable with to open and close the latch.  I am used to grabbing the whole sideplate and turning it once the opening mechanism has been released.  Can't do that on this reel until you turn the latch.  My concern is using too much force on the latch.  However, once I set the pins I leave them alone.

 

No idea where to set brakes on the Patriarch.  I have the brakes on my XT set lower than any other of my reels.

 

Haven't used my Patriarch, but have use my Patriarch XT for a few years.  If the regular is anything like the XT, you are going to love that reel.

Sideplate opens just like my Supreme then - it takes a bit, but I'm not too worried.

 

I don't think there's much difference between the Patriarch and the XT - kind of like there's not much difference between my President and Pres-XT.

 

I've been using nothing but mag-brakes since my Ambassaduer 500R 30 some years ago - so centrifugal are an entirely new thing for me. Of course, it'll be next spring before I get to 'learn' all about it.

6 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

Sideplate opens just like my Supreme then - it takes a bit, but I'm not too worried.

 

I've been using nothing but mag-brakes since my Ambassaduer 500R 30 some years ago - so centrifugal are an entirely new thing for me. Of course, it'll be next spring before I get to 'learn' all about it.

I gather from your reply that turning the latch doesn't get easier with use.

 

Our weather would let me get out for a few more weeks....if I could.

Just now, new2BC4bass said:

I gather from your reply that turning the latch doesn't get easier with use.

 

Our weather would let me get out for a few more weeks....if I could.

Well - I've only had it open twice so far...might loosen up with more use

 

We got temps in the upper-20s to low 30s overnights now, highs in the 40s and 50s...not conducive to launching/landing the canoe since I get my feet wet everytime.

9 hours ago, J Francho said:

Diapers.

 

Same here.

7 hours ago, Columbia Craw said:

 

Same here.

Congrats!  Funny part is I will be a grampa in March.  Everyone is hating on 2020, and so far it's pretty good to me.

3 hours ago, J Francho said:

Congrats!  Funny part is I will be a grampa in March.  Everyone is hating on 2020, and so far it's pretty good to me.

They sure do grow up fast these days ?
 

jkjk

49 minutes ago, GReb said:

They sure do grow up fast these days ?
 

jkjk

True, but this will be the baby’s nephew. My kids’ age span over 20 years.