3M Silicon tape is the best solution I have found. It’s very strong, feels grippy on your hands even when wet, and leaves no residue behind and doesn’t pull up any cork bits because it is not an actual adhesive. If you’re going to use electical tape, put a single layer of blue painters tape down first to protect your cork.

My favorite rod up there is my TUCR Commander. It’s good to have a fast enough rod to get a good hookset, especially with the barbless hooks. A lot of the lures you use up there are quite a bit bigger than typical walleye lures, so extr power in the tip helps as well. You want to make sure you have a reel with a reliable drag for sure!

KPE wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Dan Baker wrote:</div>
Honestly, the thing I like about 28 the most over my 18 is the how much quieter it is. The ticking of the 18 nearly drove me insane at times.

When the ticking starts to turn to auditory hallucinations, I know I’ve been fishing too long without catching. I consider it a feature LOL

Honestly, the thing I like about 28 the most over my 18 is the how much quieter it is. The ticking of the 18 nearly drove me insane at times.

I like my 28 a lot, and have never felt the need to look newer.

I put a 7.5amp hour dakota lithium in my Vex FLX28 and it seems to last for weeks.

The bay can have really good fishing. We usually fish right agains the docks with a heavy dropshot setup with live shrimp. The guides with the bay boats go all over. The bay is very very shallow in places so, we never venture out to the middle just in case. It can also get foggy often. If you fish near the area by the coast guard atation, you can usually see dolpins, which is really cool. Also, the bay is super salty, so be ready to rinse out the motor after each outing.

I’ve started to see a few more portables out there last year. I very briefly tried it two years ago and water was nearly 4 feet lower than the mapped levels. No fish.

Take him to the Ice Show in St Paul. Walk around with him until he finds the rod he really wants. Drag him away from the booth. Say you’re going to the bathroom, and then go back and order the exact rod.

Precision Noodle: 3mm Widow Maker jig with Eurolarva
Bullwhip: 4-5mm Widow Maker jig with Freedom Baits plastic
Fusion: Smallest Lindy Rattln Flyer Spoon or Perch Talker with the treble hook loaded with larva
Precision: Nearly always a red Rattln Flyer Spoon and minnow head
Power Precision: All over the board from spoon to minnow bait
Commander: I really like the Live Target Golden Shinner
Vulcan: A big spoon like a Pelican spoon, or a Lindy Glow Streak
Deadstick: #6 red hook and minnow.

I am really excited to try the Northland Tungsten spoons this year. Good luck all!
Dan

We’d love for you to check us out at Tuned Up Custom Rods. And from our line-up, I’d recommend the Power Precision for the power of rod you’re asking for.
Dan

Interesting, the Pilot was the only Honda I do like driving. She had an Odessy and an Accord and I didn’t care for them.

My wife has a 2018 Honda Pilot that we have really been happy with. I was pushing for an Explorer because I think they look more truch like. But I really appreciate the way the Pilot drives and the interior. It has the tow package and is rated for 5K. I have pulled my Competitor 185 with it without issue. It’s not as good as towing with my F150, but it is more than enough for an SUV.

isu22andy wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Dan Baker wrote:</div>
3 phones down the ice hole. 2 in almost the exact same spot a year apart. my brother lost a Glock 26 down an ice hole too.

My pain is healing . Ouch . Did he use a magnet to try to get it back ?

We tried. It was in the muck on Mille Lacs. He even tried scuba diving for it in the summer. The muck totally swallowed it.

3 phones down the ice hole. 2 in almost the exact same spot a year apart. my brother lost a Glock 26 down an ice hole too.

Those fish are crazy, and getting the hooks out is crazy hard.

Rodwork wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Dan Baker wrote:</div>
I’m definitely biased, but I love my Tuned Up Custom Rods and the new T1 is stellar.

TUCR makes some nice rods but have you ever recommended something other than a Tuned Up Custom Rod? I understand you work for TUCR and I get the push. I am sorry but I have a hard time taking the word of someone who thinks the best thing available for everything are the products they are sell.

Well when it comes to rods, I only use Tuned Up, so I don’t have any other recommendations to add. And since the OP direclty mentioned them, I figured I’d chime in. Also, that’s why I always preface my comments by saying that I am biased.

I’m definitly biased, but I love my Tuned Up Custom Rods and the new T1 is stellar.

Like the Supreme Court decision about the definition of pornography, it’s hard to define, but I know one when I see one.

If you have covers for your screens, make sure the screens are tilted up so no water can pool inside the covers. That can find its way into the electronics over time. My buddy had a Helix 8 go bad this way.

Ahh gotcha

Where is the $400 coming from? BTW, I use the Diawa 750 for my ul reels.

I have the TUCR APEX Elite UL and the Apex UL. The Apex is much more moderate action. It is more whippy. I use it as my bobber rod for panfishing. The Elite is more of a traditional backbone, but with a very light tip. It is much more sensitive and works great for casting small jigs or vertical jigging.

I do it frequently. It works well, better actually in a little wind. Never wear your remote though, mine will hit buttons accidently when it bumps against me. I carry the remote.
For what it’s worth, people at the dock look at you like your a sorcerer.

You’ll be an hour and half from the Northwest Angle. You can always find some calm waters there and a ton of walleye.

Any chance it could be the kill switch?

I’d also add, to look up Blackwater Cats on Instagram or facebook for an idea of the caliber of fishing.

Blackwater Cats Outfitters (Donovan Pearse) is the real deal. I’ve gone with him the past 5 years and had incredible fishing. You stay at the Canalta Inn in Selkirk which is a really nice, comfortable hotel as well.

Agree with Formula Prop in MG. Todd and Jodie are great and they know there stuff.

Any chance the rips are coming from fish trying to eat the minnows through the bags? I always thought he bait tammers were more for livewells and the plastic minnow buckets for in the lakes.