I’ve been building rods for about three years now just as a hobby, probably about 50 rods built so far. I love the challenge of problem solving and learning with this process. I have just started looking into rebuilding rods as you are describing but I don’t want to claim to be a professional. I too would like to see the photos of this. I’m interested in this sort of stuff more for sentimental value as I am a hobby builder, not out to make money. PM me if you’re willing to give me a shot with this project, sounds like fun. I agree, cost of a new rod to build from scratch is likely cheaper but where’s the fun in that???

More importantly, I can only find precooked smoked hams at target, can b, whatever and I don’t want to smoke something and turn it into shoe leather. What do you buy and from where, butcher? You’re not curing the thing and doing the whole process are you?

Not sure which is the better trophy, the fish or each of my kids smiles. Don’t care about wt/length, all big fish, all still swimming today.

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Wow, thanks for that. I think I just blew off an hour and a half at work watching his vids, unreal. Step aside Neal Pert

The saga continues, found a baby on the ground today, I would imagine it is one of the heron kids that fell out of the nest? We put some water down, I feel like I should go put a dozen fatheads out there too. The 10 year old daughter is having a field day

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Toucan Sam stayed overnight and let me snap a little bit better photo today. Are we still thinking green heron?

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Seems a bit small for a heron but dang, that would be cool if they are relocating the rookery to our backyard in Shoreview

Sale pending

Here’s an easy one for anyone. Go to bed with car keys on nightstand. Any crazy noise in the house hit the car alarm button, they say intruders will leave once they hear it (don’t need any training for this and no risk of hurting anyone)

I figured I’d get this post going again as I did end up buying a year old sierra with the 3.0 diesel and so far it is amazing. Speaking purely about mileage, it is as advertised, 25 in town, 30 on road trips, crazy. Next question, do I need to be using anti gel fuel treatments when temps below zero (and if so which brand) or does the fuel at the pump have this already added?

Welcome to the forum! I fished right where you’re talking last week and I’ll be honest it was tough, same that I heard from other boats the same day. The fish I marked were oddly very deep, hanging right near the break into deep water, generally at the bottom of 15 to 25 foot transitions (?saugers?) the fish I caught were in neck down areas around the train bridge down through the neck down towards Hudson, jig and fathead (everything for me was north of Hudson). Hope you have better luck than me !

PersonLlim looking at a few used options out there, 30k or fewer miles. Same trim package gas and diesel are listed about the same, diesel 3.0’s are just harder to find. I can’t speak to new

To follow up, plugging a few more numbers in.

Low estimate for 5.3 18 mpg as noted above.
10,000/18 mpg = 555 gallons consumed x $3.34 = $1855 per 10k

High estimate for diesel as above 30 mpg.
10,000/30 mpg = 333 gallons consumed x $5.02 = $1672 per 10k miles

My driving style is that of a grandma and again, I don’t tow bulldozers around as much as I would love to. Which quote do you folks is more accurate?

So here’s my math. Diesel this morning $5.02/gallon, regular $3.34.

10,000\27 mpg (low average stated above)=370 gallons consumed x $5.02= $1859 per 10,000 miles for diesel

10,000\22 mpg (high average as stated by gm for 5.3l engine) = 454 gallons consumed x $3.34= $1518 per 10,000 miles

Would you guys say average mpg is accurate for both quotes above or way off? Seems like gasser would still be significantly cheaper per 10k

While we’re on the subject of batteries, what are the general feelings on lithium batteries for trolling motors, bass pro shops say 500-900 bucks probably based on size. How much longer do they last than a standard lead battery? Is it worth the price point in terms of length of life, run time (personally I don’t care about the weight)

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Describe the “testing that you do, what are you looking for?

Noticed while inspecting the rod while getting a jig untangled, no forceful actions at all (unless you consider catching a few hundred crappies forceful)

Vermillion club at the end of daisy bay, short walk up the hill from the dock. Get the bamboozler…

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My parents live on island lake on the north side. I tend to think of that lake like a river as there is some degree of current in it (and once was a river). My lakemaster mapping chip shows the old channel best. Bigger fish have been coming with crawlers on Lindy Rigs along the “banks” of the river channel out in the basin for us. Smaller fish stay in some of these back bays all summer long. Biggest advice there is to cover ground. Good luck, let me know what works (because I’m going back up in a week)!

Mr. Fishwood was the first person to PM me, “sale” currently pending, if it falls through I’ll let everyone know.

FYI, Walleyeguy was first, sale currently pending, If this falls through I’ll let everyone know.

I have a Bradley, about 4 years old now. Works well in summer, does not work in cold whether other than to cold smoke stuff (which I do a lot, then “cook” meat in oven afterward). I’m not sure details of other smokers mentioned here, but to clarify, this one has a heat plate for the wood chip “puck” (which you can find at Gander mountain easily) and a separate element for temp/cooking control. It seems this unit would work better if insulated/sealed better in winter.

sorry but the kid doesn’t come with the package deal (not sure how that one got in there…)

trying to get photos up, bear with me…

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PM sent.

I went with the big girl Ranger Reatta 2050 (20 footer, same layout as 18 footer). Hard to find the big one used at a decent price, lots of 18 footers out their. The hull/layout hasn’t changed significantly over years so last year we bought a 2008 with confidence and it is absolutely awesome. I would say fish/ski ratio is about 70/30 but we don’t ski as much as just go out and bum around with the kids, maybe some tubing. Lots of space, awesome awesome, awesome. For a new one, be ready to sell your home to be able to afford, old one not as bad.

We have gone to LDML probably 10 of the last 15 Canadian Walleye openers. Our fishing had been very variable based on ice out times but word is that it is great in June, great in the fall. We stay at Thunderbird lodge but he might close it up after school starts in the fall. I am not sure but think Pine point is year round (?) and is better access to big open water if you’re more interested in that. We noticed that about 5 years ago there was a real strong group of young walleyes and every year since then the sizes were getting bigger, probably 20 inch class now, should be plenty of them. Big lake, not a lot of develpment, true Canadian Shield lake, be careful if you venture too far out at that time of the year because you won’t see many boats at all.

My vote is rainy River. Best bet is with prespawn fish. I think it has to be a border body of water as they are open year round year round. Rainy has big enough population of fish, big enough water, ie places for big girls to escape the pressure of tons of pressure.

Doctors hours? I watched this show at 3 am on my night shift at the hospital last night. . . Wish I was one of those kinds of doctors. nice fish

On this list, the only thing I can comment on is blade bait storage (or crankbaits or anything with at least 2 treble hooks). I saw a show on the InFisherman once where a guy uses rubber bands to hold the trebles together and then throws all of the lures into one large open box. When you pick up one, you actually only get one (instead of 16 all snagged together). Works great for me, not sure what to do with all the other baits though.