Look into Razr augers if you are looking for a good, cheaper auger to put on your drill. I picked up the 8″ synthetic lite for $160. Light weight and the blade carriage is all metal vs plastic.

Mike W wrote:

So what would be a good catfish , Sturgeon reel to purchase? level wind,or spinning.

Purchased a Penn Squal 2 level wind and line. Thanks Darren.

What size did you go with? Thought they had a clicker but don’t see that function listed..

There is a map option on cocorahs. Or filter the charts by county. It is all volunteer collection, yet accurate, and a great resource. What I use to check rainfall.

Thanks for the info.

How does the gale pullover fit? I have 2 in the online cart now, but never know with sizing. For reference, I’m a fairly slender 5’11” and ~175-180#
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I’m 5’9″ 165 and have a large, I could have gotten away with a medium but it would have been more fitted like a normal sweatshirt, I wanted it to be extra roomy. I can easily wear it over my bibs and still have room for several layers underneath if I needed, including another sweatshirt. I usually wear it under the bibs though.

brandmoney wrote:

Any current water temps in the Cities?

On Saturday I had 51-52 on the main lake, saw as low as 47 on a large wind swept back bay maxing at 7′.

Thanks guys! I decided to go with the new hubs from northern tool. Few more bucks now vs new bearings and repacking, but the flush system should provide better maintenance down the road vs bearing buddies in between repacks.

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Was this a used boat purchase? How old and what size is the starting battery? A helix 7 doesn’t draw much, but depending on the run length from the battery to graph, you may want to look at the guage of wire used to avoid voltage drop and getting the clearest image. Clean power supply is often the problem if guys aren’t getting good images, especially on 10″+ units that draw more.

The trolling motor should be the only thing rannoff the 24v battery system.

I have a 07 Alumacraft Navigator 165 tiller. Pretty close to Mound if you ever want to check it out. The 90″ beam on it is awesome for fishing.

In 2012? They took the navigator hull and redesigned the layout into the current competitor model.

If you want to clean the outside, simple green concentrate works wonders on the grease.

For the drip pan I scrape it between cooks with a plastic paint scraper down to the grease hole and that’s it. Occasionally will line it with foil on long fatty cooks. No issues yet. For the pellets, you only need to clean out the ash every 5 cooks or so, or after real long cooks.

Yeah that’s the only issue, they use Estes and they are known for issues.
I got a 590 a month ago and if it was like that I’d probably return it. Whatever you decide their customer service is top notch and will make it right.

If more room is a concern, One or two people make an aftermarket sliding top rack for recteqs. Or I’ve seen some buy the green mountain removable rack for like $30ish if you need more space.

I got a RT590 about 2 weeks ago and have been using it a bunch. I love it! The camp chef ash cleanout system is slick, but cleaning out the ash pot on the recteq isn’t the end of the world, just wear gloves.

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Joe’s sporting goods is having a big Fenwick/Pflueger sale this Saturday if you are close by FYI. Great opportunity to get a combo.

CaptainMusky wrote:

Yep I have a recteq bullseye. Its more like a grill that a typical pellet grill in that it’s a direct heat. Really like it. Did my first brisket on it yesterday.

Looks great! I considered getting the bullseye but went with the 590 instead. Says it is in MSP right now so hoping it gets delivered this week! First smoker!

Bearcat89 wrote:

Are Elliott rods in stock anywhere. I’d love to get my hands on one before the weekend trip out west

Cabin Fever and Scheels had a few during the season, not sure what is left if any.

I use a robohawk in the kayak, clipped to my life jacket. Works pretty well. Would be easy enough to clip it to bibs or jacket in the winter, might need to start doing that.

Following. I was very close to pulling the trigger on a gravity series 560 last fall but held off. Joined a FB group for them to learn more about them and people love them but they can come with issues it seems. Parts rusting/failing, etc. It seems there is work arounds/ mods that can be made for any issues that arise but I’m still not 100% sold. Still tempted to grab one though, some people have flawless experiences.

Bogleheads is an extremely knowledgeable financial forum, bet they can provide you guidance. Based on John Bogle, Vanguards founder.

IF you are set on buying ignore- like above, you could check with your local SWCD (Soil & Water Conservation District) or PF chapter to see if they rent one. Our local swcd has a 10′ no till drill with different seed boxes for CRP, alfalfa, legumes etc. It’s purpose is for larger plantings, like CRP and cover crops, can work for bigger more open food plots- that’s not typical I realize. Just a thought.

Aboxy17 wrote:

I am looking at getting an otter vortex lodge has anyone used this shelter and can offer an opinion on it versus other hub houses. I bought an Eskimo fat fish 949i two weeks ago but it has already shown lots of rust on all the metal parts of the house, the fabric that holds the poles have already started to wear from set up and take down and it did not seem to stay super warm with my buddy going on high for over an hour. I have used it 4-5 times in 2 weeks and haven’t been overly impressed I plan on using it a lot this year so I might end up returning it and paying 100 more for an Otter just because I have heard the quality is top of the line as far as hubs go.

You bought it NEW two weeks ago? I’d be contacting Eskimo and telling them what’s going on, they do come with a warranty. My buddy has had a 949i for years and its a good shack. I picked up an XD last month. Otter makes nice stuff also.

I swore there was a “Metro Ice 2021” thread, went looking for it but no luck. Did it disappear like the sweet country music thread or am I just crazy and imagining things?

Either way, with these temps it won’t be long at all. This snow could stop, hopefully it just blows off. I very much prefer to see the actual ice and what’s ahead early on vs just a white blanket.

Coletrain27 wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Ben D wrote:</div>
I have a couple Octane tools including the hammer drill. I’ve liked the line up so far, the drill ripped through ice the last two winters! Going forward I have some concerns with the drill. The octane line was discontinued this summer? The batteries are cross compatible with the new line they say, but I haven’t seen a hammer drill replacement in the new line yet. That worries me, especially since I was just about to bring the drill in to check out a potential issue. Real bad timing with ice almost here

They have a newer style hammer drill out now. I just bought one on sale for $149 with a new style 4ah battery included

Didn’t realize that one was a hammer drill. But 800 in/lbs vs the 1,300 in/lb Octane. Better than nothing, but a downgrade none the less if someone brings their octane in for warranty and it needs replacing.

If they come out with a hammer drill replacement it won’t be an issue for me, I think. I’m just an average homeowner, far from a contractor, so I don’t need top of the line for home projects. The new stuff is suppose to be a little more compact in size- battery’s and tools so some homeowners will appreciate that. The only top to the line item I need/want is the hammer drill for ice and then home stuff.

I have a couple Octane tools including the hammer drill. I’ve liked the line up so far, the drill ripped through ice the last two winters! Going forward I have some concerns with the drill. The octane line was discontinued this summer? The batteries are cross compatible with the new line they say, but I haven’t seen a hammer drill replacement in the new line yet. That worries me, especially since I was just about to bring the drill in to check out a potential issue. Real bad timing with ice almost here

fishthumper wrote:

I do see that Elliot does have a spring bobber rod in their lineup. I may have to give theirs a try and see how it compares to the JT panhandler. I actually wish they sold a shorter version ( Or someone did ) when fishing outside in the wind it often helps to keep the rod close to your body to block the wind. This would be easier with a shorter rod.

I don’t own one, yet, but I’ve used the Inhaler on the ice and it’s a cool rod. All of their rods are so light!

Dh makes two rods with spring bobbers, Pannie Drop’r & Pantom, custom shop so they will make it any length you want. I’m sure there are some other true custom guys out there that would build what you want as well.

Yep Anglers touch. Eric should be on your list of “obvious players” and he is local just north of the cities.

Following along, I run a finicky fooler and looking for some more rod options. I had wondered if elliot had a deadstick options, not sure I want a 44″ rod though..

I don’t think one rod fits all, unless you only use it for one specific application. I use everything from small shiners to giant sucker minnows for spring pike on my fooler, different rods for each though.

ClownColor wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Netguy wrote:</div>
To many questions about the article to even start.
In summary, spaying and neutering prevents cancer but not spaying and neutering prevents cancer. Spin the wheel.

Right? I wouldn’t get advice about this stuff on an Internet forum or from a wacky article. Talk with your vet (or two if you’re concerned) and get real answers and make an informed decision with them. To many, a dog is family.

x2.
It is definitely a good conversation to have with your Vet as research has changed, for some breeds. But its much more in-depth then just a news article. Let the professionals who went to school for 8 years and read the scientific research papers give advice. We don’t need arm chair Vets and biologists

gim wrote:

Thanks I was kind of wondering if the bugs were out there yet. I’ll be applying the first application of tick/flea prevention to the dog this week.

I would do it asap if you haven’t. A buddy already found one on himself and his dog last week around the cities.

Jerkbait, subtle swimjig, chatterbait, and some small spinnerbaits is what I’ll be trying first early season. Don’t have much experience early season so will be doing some experimenting. Based on other comments a few of those tactics should work!