I purchased a Gold Digger at the Blaine ice expo. So far ive used it for fishing Slab Raps abd UL Rippun Raps targeting crappies and it performs flawlessly.

Have you contacted Marcum directly again? That’s where I would start. They may take care of it.

Any interest in trading for a 32″ PN? Purchased at the St. Paul ice show, used twice. Split grip cork handle… Let me know.

I Need More Coffee!!!!!! Have to get together soon to re-up on the scent bud.

I don’t use much braid for ice so I can’t be of much help there. As far as open water, it is my primary choice.

1. I don’t change every season, just depends on the condition of the braid. I have braid that will be going on its 3rd season and don’t plan on changing it. For my bait casters, it also depend on what I’ll be using it for. Flipping/pitching and jig set ups generally get the new stuff first.

2. I always have a backing of whatever cheap mono I have laying around. There are some reels that are advertised as “braid ready”, I still feel that a mono backing helps prevent any slipping. It also allows you to fill up the spool for less $$. I usually will put 100 yrds of braid on, so put enough backing on to allow you to put enough braid on after. That amount will depend on the reel you have and the line you’re using.

3. I will use a flouro leader when fishing clear water or if the fish are finicky and i think the braid is spooking them.

4. Palomer knot

Casting
-7’6″ med heavy Fenwick HMG- small to med swim baits, jigs, pitching, flipping
-7’0″ med heavy Fenwick HMG- jigs, chatterbaits, t-rigs, top water
-7’0″ med Skeet Reese “worm and jig” rod- spinner baits, crank baits, square bills
-6’9″ med heavy Abu Garcia Veritas 2.0- swim jigs

Spinning
-7’0″ med heavy Abu Garcia Veritas 2.0- finesse jigs, wacky rigs, tubes, jerk baits
-6’6″ med heavy Fenwick Eagle GT- weightless senkos, shaky heads, jerk baits

I can’t speak for the hardwater but I’ve been wearing the predators for 2 years now and love them. Plenty warm for fishing out on the ice.

I’m on year 2 of my Predator suit and I can’t say enough about it. I usually wear just a sweatshirt and shorts underneath and am still plenty warm fishing out on the ice. I had put thermals on under it while fishing Clear Lake a week ago and was sweating after drilling about 10 holes. I definitely agree with Nick and Will about the wrist cuffs also.

I’ll jump in with Shimano also. Any of the 500 size will do great, if you can find them. I have Sedona’s, Sienna’s, Sahara’s and a Symetre, and they all work great. For the $$$ a Sienna is hard to beat coming in at $30.

Thanks @Brook Filson!

Thanks @brad-o. I will check out their dnr site, and always looking for nice gills for sure. Any idea on ice thickness out there? Are people driving out in full size trucks? Debating on bringing a side by side down, but would rather not if the ice is thick enough for the truck. Thanks for the info.

Its difficult to compare these units apples to apples because they are very different. You need to decide how important the digital platform, customization, camera and ability to switch from flasher to vertical or graph (among other features) is to you. If its a deal breaker getting rid of any of these, then you won’t be happy. As far as the 28 goes, its a great flasher and I was super happy with mine. If you want a really nice flasher that you can just turn on and use its great. I just like to switch up gear too often.

I picked up a 32″ quiver stick this fall and have been very impressed with it thus far also. Paired up with a Shimano Sedona 500 and its a deadly combo with spoons and small jigs.

I haven’t had an issue with my LX5i at all. The shallowest water I’ve used it in is 10 ft so far though.

Had it happen to a Marcum of mine a few years back. Brought it in to Marcum and they found that the charger was faulty, battery was still good. Could be either one of them though I guess. Like Randy said, test it to fond out if the battery is just not holding a full charge.

I’ll second the shimano, any 500 series

Flash champ spoon is my go to spoon, either glow red, perch or the uv pink. For jigs I usually use either a JR’s jalapeno(pink, blue and white) VMC tungsten tubby(glow chart, glow, glow red), clam drop kick jig(glow red), VMC pug bug in glow red

I went through 2 pairs of Ice Armour’s last year before switching to a pair of Striker’s. Have been super happy with them ever since. I did pick up a pair of the Dry Skinz gloves this season and have been very impressed with how they’ve handled fishing, plowing/shoveling snow, and general use (driving, scraping the wind shield etc..) The strikers are a lot warmer obviously, but they’re bulkier for that reason.

Check out DH Custom Rods. I believe he offers 32-36″

Check eBay for strips of LED lights. Zip tie them to the center bar , not too tight though. Run the wiring down one of the side bars to your battery. My brother in law had them in his Voyager and now has them in his Otter and they work well. I considered them for my Big Foot hub but went a different route. You can get the lights and wiring for pretty cheap, I don’t think he spent more than $20 and spent about a half hour cutting them to fit and wiring. I’ll second the coat hangers….they are a must have.

Super jealous man. I got out for a little while on Monday but have yet to ice my first walleye or perch. Caught some nice crappies though. That is a HOG perch!!! I had great luck with the rippin rap last year, as well as the tubby/mustache worm combo, and definitely ready to put them to work again this season. Tried and true Flash Champ got it done for me on Monday.

Wayzata Bait and Tackle still should still have some

……blank…….???

Ducket 7’3″ med heavy a casting? If so is it still available? Location?

Found “walkable” ice this am in the west metro….for about 10 ft from shore. after that the spud bar was going through on the first hit. Hopefully another week and should be good on smaller lakes.

nubbinbuck wrote:

There was a guy on the south end of Medicine Lake this morning. Out about 75 yards or so. NUTS!

I heard that from the Tim at Wayzata Bait also….

I haven’t used the Ice Force bibs so I cannot compare the 2, what I can tell you is that I love my Striker’s. I have the Predators and they’re extremely warm. I fish outside on the ice a lot and they’re perfect for it.

@fireline

http://www.rapala.com/ice-force/ice-force/lithium-12volt-10amp-battery/lithium-12volt-10amp-battery/SEE12V10ANB.html?id=1

Awesome info. Thanks for the help Joel.

Ran the 8″ 4 stroke all last year with no issues what so ever. As other have stated, let it warm up and you’ll be fine. Cuts ice like a champ.