best fishing purchase this year

Vexilar FLX-38. So customizable and can run a camera on the USB port.

A trip to Winnipeg.

Livescope with 2 screens….new boat….Winnipeg Ice trip……..expensive year

Bought a new to me jon boat with a jet late last year and all new old stock helix unit for two boats late 2024 and early 2025. Looking forward to mid summer river outings in some skinny water in 2025.

Okuma Ceymar Baitfeeder reels. They are great for deadstick rods or ifish/finicky foolers.

Always heard about them but didnt think they were worth the investment until using them.

2 JT panhandler’s with spring bobber. Was going to buy a livescope but my son bought one and said we don’t need 2.

Pinhead minnows – do you guys use the jointed version and if yes then what have been your results compared to the non-jointed?

I replaced all my rattle wheels with Under Cover Rattle wheels- now the dog and cats don’t wake me up in the middle of the night playing with the string and bells and looks much cleaner.

License

I have both, but have used jointed 90% of the time. I think the jointed can be finessed a little better, but I feel like I have caught more fish without bait on the regular pinhead. I really can’t be certain everybody experiences the same thing as I spend too much time with the jointed pinhead, but that’s my $0.02.

And I’m 90 percent non jointed. So they must both work.

I literally have never intentionally jigged a spoon of any sort without bait. What am I missing here?

The Pinhead minnow has a small blade above the hook that they say gets the bites. Matt Johnson of Clam swears by them and uses no bait. But like you I have a wax worm or minnow head on mine. Just like plastics, you have to build confidence.

John Rasmussen wrote:

I literally have never intentionally jigged a spoon of any sort without bait. What am I missing here?

Ok fair enough. Thanks

I have used the non jointed pinhead 1-16 oz in white wonder bread for 3 winters with no bait on it. Can confirm it works very well for crappies. Usually is at the back of their throats. If they won’t take the pinhead, I’ll downsize to a tungsten and plastic

40 volt SM after years of sm gaser would never go back.

John Rasmussen wrote:

I literally have never intentionally jigged a spoon of any sort without bait. What am I missing here?

John, we need to get you out of the basement and get you some stickers!! Need to live a little. Please tell me you don’t put minnows on hair jigs

Randy Wieland wrote:

Please tell me you don’t put minnows on hair jigs

Lol. Sometimes in the spring on a flu flu, but I was talking about jigging an ice spoon.

Rapala R12

Mine i guess for 2024 would have been that brand new 24v terrova and lithium batteries.

John Rasmussen wrote:

I literally have never intentionally jigged a spoon of any sort without bait. What am I missing here?

Those PinHeads and Pin Head Pros work great. A lot of times I will tip them with a wex worm but if it falls off I will continue fishing it. Most times I will start with them baitless. Just keep it moving but don’t over work it.