I too have the Daiwa Tatula that I bought last winter. I put it on my St. Croix and it would flawlessly. I love the T-wing system on it too.

Not sure if you have a Dick’s in your area but for $300 for the gun I’m sure you could find a rifled barrel and still keep it right around the $400 range. https://m.dickssportinggoods.com/p/remington-model-870-express-pump-action-shotgun-15remu870xprsswd2shg/15remu870xprsswd2shg

I personally have a Stoeger P350 and believe it’s a quality gun, and mainly bought it so I could shoot the 3.5 inch shells. But you definitely can’t go wrong with the 870’s and could probably find a combo on them for right around $400 when on sale.

Tomorrow will be my first time ever duck hunting, me and a friend are going out on Gull Lake hoping to see what it’s all about.

Sounds like I might give it a try up there on some points or islands. Could you tell if the eelpout where still all full of eggs or where they starting to spawn out?

Does anybody know any spots in the branerd lakes area they are willing to share with me, I have been trying my normal streams and have been seeing no fish.