I was looking at new trucks this past summer and considered all major brands. Ended up going with a Ram 1500 with the hemi. When looking at the Ford’s we were discussing buying vs leasing. Every sales person at Ford said if you plan to keep the truck for over 100k, don’t get the ecoboost and go with the v8 because the maintenance costs of the ecoboost are ridiculous down the road. I really liked both engines in the Ford when we test drove, but after hearing that I would never buy an ecoboost. I probably would’ve ended up getting the Ford v8 too if the salesman wasn’t such a d-bag.

He is referring to your transom mounted minnkota vantage trolling motor. Assuming you have one. Most tiller guys do.

I just spent the last week down on pool 4 breaking in my new E-tec G2 150ho. Prior to this I had the exact same boat with the merc 150xl 4 stroke. The E-tec is soooo much better. Yes I burned through oil quick for the first 8 hours but then it virtually used none. I ran up and down from the dam to head of the lake all week and didn’t even use 30 gallons of gas. My top speed was up about 8 mph. The hole shot doesn’t even compare to the merc 4 stroke. I got my best mpg running at 43 mph, with the merc I could barely touch 43 mph in perfect conditions. I’m an e-tec believer.

I’m in favor of lowering limits across the board. Who needs 6 walleye? I never keep more than I plan on eating in the next few days. Fresh is soo much better than frozen. If I’m going to have a meal, 2 15-18 inch walleyes plenty.

but seriously, the 8’3″ tele rod is amazing. Such great hooking setting power on slip bobs and easy long casts with light slip bob rigs. If you slip bob for walleyes with any frequency you need one. Also great for dragging and getting lines away from the boat.

If you’ve watched local news up here last few days they’ve been showing footage of those couple doing it and blasting them. I was in MG yesterday and they were saying the guys were idiots. Open water less than 100 yds from shore and an off shore wind. Not a good idea. Wait for more ice. I’m new to Duluth area too so if you want to get out together sometime let me know.

I have a lazer mag and for the first two years had issues on and off starting it. Brought it to D-rock and a couples times and finally the mechanic just told me to hold the throttle down. Said that is the way he has always done it. Never needed more than 3 pulls since.

Yea I’m aware of those places, but I’m up in Duluth. I’m hoping there is someone around here that does it. I’d rather not waste the time of driving to the metro if possible.

1st pic pic is my better half with Mille Lacs pig. 2nd is is from the BWCA after a weekend camping and lake trout fishing.

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My dad is in Cottage Grove. He is willing to go about anywhere.

Few more photos.

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I been using the predator bibs for 5 seasons now and love them. 2 years ago I got the predator jacket. Love it too. Never use the liner, its too small and constricting for me and the whole jacket feels so bulky. Instead I put an extra layer on underneath and I’m good to go. I don’t even know if I know where the liner for the jacket it. Make sure you try on the jacket before you buy, I think the sizes are a little off. 2Xl bibs fit me great but I needed a 4Xl jacket. I’m 6″3″ 300lbs for reference.

found some short shank gami treble’s that I’ve swapped out the standard treble and made a huge difference. Not sure of the exact model, I threw away the package.

I believe not right now, but coming soon. That is what I was told by Russ Fernando last week, the owner at Marine General.

what types of presentations are you using? sounds like you’re finding fish, just not getting numbers of them to bite. You may be working lures to aggressively and spooking more numbers of fish away. Maybe next time out you just run tip ups and move them every 20-30 minutes if they aren’t productive. This way you can spread out more and try to dial in their location by being in more than one place at once.

Clam’s line of plastics has a minnow head that is decent. Heavily scented and has a few little danglys hanging off that give it some action. I have caught fish using it but not close to a fresh minnow head. I usually start with one on when I’m hole hopping and trying to dial in a location so I don’t have to deal with fresh minnow heads freezing and falling off and getting hands cold. But once I start getting some lookers and no biters I switch over to the real deal.

Having been a high school science teacher for a while now, when students ask me, “when will I ever use this?” I often respond by saying: “if you’re not going into a science/math related field, maybe never. But you’re learning how to learn and interpret the world around you, which you will do every day of your life.”

Honestly, I don’t think there is a difference in quality. They both make great rods that you will be happy with. Hold both in your hands and pick the one that feels better to you. I think Thorne Bros may have more options for guide and handle types.

I have both walleye and perch sweethearts. Both are great rods and to answer your question, yes the perch sh can handle large walleyes no problem. Anything 1/4oz and bigger is fished on the walleye sh and 1/8oz and under I fish with the perch sh. I you could only have one, I would say go with the perch. But that also depends on the size of lures you’re using the most. I probably use my perch a little bit more than the walleye but wouldn’t want to give up either one. I would agree with what you said about the walleye feeling a little stiff, but I will tell you that it fights any size walleye very well.

Loved going into Joe’s to talk fishing with Roger. Not many left in retail like him. For a while before I actually knew who he was or his name I referred to him as “the guru”.

They may not post a ton on this site, but I know guys like Turk and Denver give pretty detailed reports on their own websites every week.

I got in contact with dealer last year trying to get a few more sweatshirts and found that if not ordering in bulk, they weren’t any cheaper than buying the IDO hoodie from here.

John, do you still have a supply of the shimano carbon drag upgrades? I have a bunch of sienna 500s and 1000s I’d like to upgrade.

Andy! is that seriously ice on the north side of mille lacs right now??!!

some pics

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https://www.menards.com/main/tools-hardware/tool-storage/small-parts-tool-organizers/24-container-small-parts-storage-box/p-1444421175838-c-9189.htm?tid=2182443800805726367&ipos=142

Best idea I’ve had in a long while. The little boxes are perfect for separating different hooks, snaps, swivels, split shot, and weights up to about an ounce. The big box they come in is junk but the little boxes fit perfectly in a plano box.

start watching around 7:40
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUZpkZni-sk

He says anything “gills forward”

Its pretty good. Sheds water pretty well and you can strip ice off it almost as easily as mono. But it will fray quicker with stripping off ice so you need to watch for that and cut off the end section once you notice it fraying.

Having fished pool 4 quite a bit the last 5 years I strongly believe in the pinning theory. I do a lot of drifting and vertical jigging trying my darndest to the keep my line vertical. On some days with a very slow drop and a sensitive rod if you keep your line a tight as you can and the instant it touches bottom you will feel the fish pound it. Feels the same as any other bite except I know my jig is just barely in contact with the bottom. Most times the fish comes up with the jig right under it jaw, very close to the mouth. And I’ve noticed this is much more common with smaller fish in very large schools of fish. For those of you wondering how to increase hook up percentage, look for a semi-standup jig that will keep the hook point up when the jig is gently set on bottom.

Last season I found that a down vest with a solid pair of bibs goes a long way. It’s a really effective layer without bulk and free range of movement for your arms.