I think another way to understand it is deeper water turned into shallower water at the bend. Look at the red X by on Joe’s illustration. Joe is an amazing fisherman and a great guy.

Sounds like for what you want to use it for, you need a vacuum seal thermos. These were not made for the use you are intending.

Joel also has his own website. Joel Nelson Outdoors. He writes articles and answers readers questions. Great guy!!

The Buddy heaters have an oxygen sensor built in as well. That could explain why the buddy heater would shut off. Probably co like Mwal said.

Cabelas in Owatonna has noodles, bullwhips, and precision rods on the shelf.

I just picked up a 36″ Fusion at Scheels in Mankato. My buddy ordered his and doesn’t have it yet. I might let him hold mine if he is lucky!!

Scheels finally updated their website and have been offering great web deals. Their website used to be a horror story. I have purchased from their site 3 times the last few weeks. Great deals and free shipping.

By hand……not needed. Towing with anything…..100% have to have!!

The points and breaks by the 14 ft. Hole

When did they switch to the gen. 2 (worse system)?

I have used mine for 2 years now. I have just found I can hold my hand lightly over that side of the spool and slow the spool enough to prevent it. It really happens in the wind much more often. I actually like using the reel now.

When the stamps first came out, they asked when you bought a license. I bought one the first couple years. They stopped asking and I stopped buying. Just didn’t know they still had them. They even said what the money was for at the time.

I know there are a ton of haters for Gander Mountain on here, but I like having options other than Cabelas, Fleet Farm, or Scheels. I had a great experience a week ago picking up another Marcum LX-5 at the Rochester Gander with fantastic customer service. So much so I wrote a letter to corporate about it. Never hurts to have more options for sportsman to find deals and convenience.

I also really like my Frabill. I too use my finger to slow down the fall if needed and prevent the loops or backlash. This is really important when it is windy. The only other pain is when you get some ice on the eyes of your rod. I just use my finger on the reel and pull out line or have to get rid of the ice. Same for a spinning reel in that case anyway.

Nice call on both of those!

I read this as you wanted 3 different rods?? For panfish, a noodle rod is what you are looking for. Obviously a custom rod from TUCR, Thorne, or DH would be ideal. I purchased a St. Croix glass noodle rod and like it a lot. On sale for $37 now down from $50. Not quite as noodley as some, but a nice rod. For Jigging, I like a Medium light rod as it works for perch and walleye. For the ifish pro rod, I would buy a medium or MH depending on fishing pike or walleye more. I buy all my rods with recoil or fly guides to have bigger eyes to help with freeze up while outside.
I really like the Jason Mitchell reels. They are $30, have a folding handle which is easier for the hard case and a large spool to help with coiling the line. Good luck.

The scenery on that lake was unbelievable!!! Then to top it off with jumbo jumbos. JEALOUS!!!!

Striker predators this year as well. Absolutely love them.

I have had one for a few years now. Got it for $50 at Scheels on close out. I have it spooled with braid and flouro leader. It is really comfortable to hold for me. I enjoy that. I only use it in the hard house (which I don’t fish in much), but it seems to work well with the heavier jigs I use for walleyes. If I had to be honest, I don’t find it great. Definitely not worth more than $50 for me. A good spinning reel is still more confident and trusted for me. I own and use 10+ bait casters for bass and musky, so I have experience with these types of reels, yet this feels awkward when reeling in fish.

Thanks for the info guys. My old LX-5 was acting up, so I ran to Gander tonight and grabbed a new LX-5i for $337. Great deal. I will get my old one checked out and use it for guests or back up. I really appreciate the heads up!!!!

I agree Dave. I have been thinking the same thing. No doubt that TUCR, Thorne Bros., and others make quality off the shelf rods, they are just that “quality” rods. And if they fit what you want, great, buy them with no wait time. But a “custom” rod is set apart from the others with your personal specs (I.e-custom lengths, colors, handles, guides etc.

Rtic are great coolers. I love mine. For half the price of Yeti, it us a no brainer.

That was a great video. Thanks!

Agree 100% on merino wool. Expensive but way better than synthetic. Tried all the Under Armor etc. Sits in the drawer now. I ordered my new stuff at woolx.com for 25% off with a free wool face mask. It is nice quality stuff. Super soft.

I have found that Gore-Tex is amazing for mittens. Bought a pair of cabelas pinnacle gore-Tex mittens and they are the bees knees. I would always sweat in my hand wear and therefore get cold or clammy. With these, water vapor escapes and water doesn’t get in. Best of all worlds.

My buddy bought an Otter pro lodge last night and worked a deal to not pay tax when he paid cash. About $65 savings. Just gotta ask

Thanks for the link TripleA! Ice is leaving, time to get excited!

That would have been a blast. I am jealous!

I wish we would take that approach as a whole in this country!

I just got back from the Rochester Scheels. They gave a bunch of Power Noodles, some bullwhips, and some power precision. Both with split grips and without and even some new Fiam grips. Easily enough to give you the idea if you like them or not.