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It was just about two years ago when I decided to venture into a different braid line. Sufix Advance 832 braid was a preference of mine. So after receiving the Diawa braids, I gave it the good old line break test rundown on the knot to swivel. There were good results. Diawa J-Braid x8 .06 mm 6# knot break 8# 4 oz Diawa J-Braid x8 .13 mm 8# knot break 11# 9 oz Diawa J-Braid x8 .15 mm 10# knot break 13# Diawa J-Braid Grand x8 .06mm 6# knot break 6# 4 oz Diawa J-Braid Grand x8 .13 mm 8# knot break 10# 12 oz Diawa J-Braid Grand x8 .15 mm 10# knot break 16# 14 oz ***** I had always been line joining with a nail knot to nail knot for the longest time. I had also tried the albright and modified albright knot on few times. All this until I discovered the FG knot. Now I had never questioned the strength of the FG knot. All I knew before was that occassionally it slipped and unraveled after use. Since we are experiencing something of a polar vortex, I reckon I do some knot testing. Diawa J-Braid x8 6# FG to FG knot on 30# mono Three trials in # and oz.: 8#14, 9#3, 9#1 While the my direct knot to swivel yield a break at 8#4 oz., it does indicate that the FG knot with a mono is breaking at a higher threshold. While it wasn't much more for this braid line, it is giving me an indication that perhaps J-Braid x8 in itself has a higher resilience for direct knot tying. I will confirm this with a few other tests of J-Braid x8. Side note: I was physically comparing line feel between YGK G-Soul Upgrade X-8 14# with Diawa J-Braid x8 6# and both seem very close in appearance of line thickness and feel. Only G-Soul seem to have a slight more line body. Diawa J-Braid x8 10# FG to FG knot on 30# mono One trial knot break 17# 12 oz. I didn't feel like I needed to test the line any further. That one trial test was enough, especially with the results. So all the results thus far is confirming that the FG knot will be a better connection point to a lure and I should go with the extra care to do so. Bonus for Sufix 832 Advance braid FG knot testing as well. Sufix 832 Advance Braid 10# FG knot to FG knot on 30# mono Three trials all knot breaks in # and oz.: 15#, 20#, 19# 1 Sufix 832 Advance Ice Braid 4# FG knot to FG knot on 30# mono Three trials all knot breaks in # and oz.: 13#7, 12# 1, 12#12 In addition to note that in comparison to previous 832 tested on terminal tackle of a knot to swivel: Sufix 832 Ice Braid .10mm 4# knot break 9# 2 oz. Sufix 832 Braid .20 mm 10/4 knot break 17# 5 oz.

Hey guys I'm trying to make myself a new dark house. I would like it to be 6x6 or 6x8. The one I have right now is a 4x4 and it just isn't working for me anymore. I need a new one but it has to be light enough to be pulled by my snowmobile or four-wheeler. I've seen some built out of 2x2 boards and some out of old insulated garage doors. Any building advice or floorplans would be great. Thanks

Going up to visit family at Mille lacs 4th of July weekend. Given the current fishing restrictions and the fact that I don’t have a boat, does anyone know any good shore/kayak fishing lakes in the Mille lacs area?

Hello, Former Minnesotan coming up to spend time with my folks the second week in June. We’re staying on TenMile Lake. I’ve been reading forums, looking at Social Map, LakeFinder, etc. it appears Ten Mile is a fairly unique lake, very deep and very clear. My first guess given the clarity would be a night bite, but I’m not sure I’d be up for night fishing in a strange lake with a strange boat. I’ve read that this lake warms up later than other local lakes, so should I be considering what might be recommend approaches for say late May? Obviously weather would affect that. Would Crappie still be spawning? Are there good cabbage patches? Any help would be greatly appreciated! Also feel free to message me. Obviously, time with my folks is the priority, but it would be nice to have a little fish fry since we are staying on the lake. Thanks Again, Clemmy

After more than a year, thankfully we have been allowed to return to our Rainy Lake home. Hopefully the travel bans will not be repeated. Fall fishing is as good as it gets. Walleye and bass are making their fall transition and are schooled up. Find the right spot and let the party begin! Thanks to Muskies for feeding my addiction while I was stuck in the U.S. If you can get to Ontario, come now!

Hello Folks, I have never posted on a fishing forum before. Looking for advice from folks who have visited the nicer resorts from Mille Lacs and up. . . Not interested in the house boat concept. MOSTLY, looking for good chance of fish catching SUCCESS during period from mid-July through August. Looking for actual resort names and Lake names. If info on definite places on Lakes, better yet. Probably a one time trip with brothers from Colorado, Iowa, and Illinois. . . One with limited experience. Have at it! thanks in advance.

The guy told me this was custom and he payed $150 way back. 83” long 7” wide. Could this be the Brainerd spear?

The season was short due to the border closure but Rainy Lake never disappoints. It was great to be back on the lake again.

Hey guys and gals. I am going up to lake kabetogama around June 18 for 2-3 days targeting pike. I have been up several times and not caught anything over 25 inches. I want to try and locate a true monster this time. Any spot recommendations and or lure recommendations? Thank you!

Hey all, I am new here obviously, but I recently learned how many fish the DNR kill off every year with those surveys. I've never started a petition for anything before, but here's my attempt to get that to stop. https://www.change.org/KillingFishMN This is not about the big lakes. To me it is the same as trying to manage deer by digging a pit in the woods to see what falls in and dies- Wisconsin pretty much gave it up and we should as well. I know some DNR guy is going to get on here and say it is for consistent data, and that it only happens every few years on the smaller lakes. It should not happen at all. Every 10 years and the best fish in the lake might still be dead in that net, just to have a fancy survey. Heres what a survey should look like. https://dnr.wi.gov/lakes/lakepages/LakeDetail.aspx?wbic=967200 If there are already petitions and groups out there trying to change this I would like to get involved, A

Is the special 40 inch min pike reg for this lake gone? I only see a 10 per day sunfish limit listed. Thanks

Hey guys and gals. I am going up to lake kabetogama around June 18 for 2-3 days targeting pike. I have been up several times and not caught anything over 25 inches. I want to try and locate a true monster this time. Any spot recommendations and or lure recommendations? Thank you!

Leech Lake. I am wondering what to expect. I think I might go out on Boy bay using the public landing on Sugar Point. First are there any safety concerns, ice conditions to worry about, Landing safe? Second what can I expect for fish? Kind of looking for some nice panfish during the day and a stray walleye or two towards evening

My old man bought me one and now I'm looking to buy one of Louis' spears for my son. If anyone has one they would sell let me know. Thx!

Good morning all. I was perusing old posts and guys talked about amish spears made near Long Prairie, MN. Does anyone know if they still make them? How do I contact them? Does anyone know of any other makers? Thank you!

We are excited to announce that Sandy Point Lodge & Resort has purchased Aluma-Lite angling houses to rent this winter in addition to our already established fleet of darkhouse rentals for spearing. Spend your winter trip hunting for a trophy Northern, angling Walleye, or a combination of both! More information can be found at https://sandypointlodge.com/winter-activities! Contact us today at 218-875-2615 or via email at [email protected] Fish on!

After fishing every handful in years in Minnesota for 40 years, I'm FINALLY going to bring my wife up to Vermillion and see it for the first time. I'm chasing smallmouth and pike only (well, I'll gladly wrestle with a fooled Musky but not fishing for them). If the largemouth fishing is better than the smallmouths, we'd probably chase some of them too. Staying at Ludlows on the island. Boy I'd love ANY help with where to start my searching for the smallies and pike and what to key in on that time of year. I'll have basically two days to fish and will have my own bass boat. I am an artificial bait only guy and catch and release. Just looking for a bunch of tugs on the line and hopefully put my wife on some action. Any guidance or direction?? How deep are the smallies and what do they relate to that time of year? Are the pike around visible weeds or submerged cabbage or something? I'm coming in clueless. Sure appreciate ANY help anyone's willing to provide. Thanks!!! Yancey from St. Louis, MO

After fishing every handful in years in Minnesota for 40 years, I'm FINALLY going to bring my wife up to Vermillion and see it for the first time. I'm chasing smallmouth and pike only (well, I'll gladly wrestle with a fooled Musky but not fishing for them). If the largemouth fishing is better than the smallmouths, we'd probably chase some of them too. Staying at Ludlows on the island. Boy I'd love ANY help with where to start my searching for the smallies and pike and what to key in on that time of year. I'll have basically two days to fish and will have my own bass boat. I am an artificial bait only guy and catch and release. Just looking for a bunch of tugs on the line and hopefully put my wife on some action. Any guidance or direction?? How deep are the smallies and what do they relate to that time of year? Are the pike around visible weeds or submerged cabbage or something? I'm coming in clueless. Sure appreciate ANY help anyone's willing to provide. Thanks!!! Yancey from St. Louis, MO

2013 Ranger 1850 This is the cleanest 2013 multi sport fishing boat that you’ll find. Powered by a Yamaha 150 four stroke, this is a great performing boat. The interior, exterior, motor and trailer are in awesome condition. Features include: Ranger Custom Trailer w/spare tire. Yamaha 150 four stroke. Minn Kota 80 Terrova trolling motor w/iPilot. Lowrance HDS 7 & HDS 5 depth/fish finders. Onboard 2 bank battery charger. Large Livewell. Bait Livewell. 12+ rod locker. AM/FM/CD Stereo. 4 swivel seats. 2 flip on seat. Snap in carpet. Ranger custom travel cover. Swim ladder. Ski pylon. Removable bow cushions Built in cooler Interior LED courtesy lights Lots of storage I’m sure there are things that I’ve missed in the above list of options. This is the perfect fishing boat, and can easily double as a family runabout for skiing, tubing and cruising around. Boat is located in Detroit Lakes MN. Please call or text for more information. 701-371-509nine

Headed to Brainerd Area July 9-11 coming from Colorado to visit friends. Well actually my girlfriend is I am tagging along to hopefully catch some fish with my flyrod And or jigs. Seeking advice on which lakes and tactics and anything else helpful to help maximize fishing time in your state. I will have access to a canoe on Hubert Lake. Any and all advice would be much appreciated if anyone is into flyfishing Stillwater and would like to go or show me some pointers on your home waters That would be awesome thanks looking forward to any responses.

Headed up to Duluth area tomorrow, want to wet a line. No boat. Anyone wanna share a bite? Will traverse any country for some filets!!!

I am going to cuyuna in a coule weeks and I am planning do do a little bit of fishing but am not much of a trout fisherman. Do the northerns and bass in the mine lakes have any size to them?

Going to lake vermillion for the first time. June 13. Staying near Arrow Head Point, Isle of Pines. Only have a small boat with 15 HP so looking for some tips for where to go for big pike that is reasonably close given my boat. I do not mind a drive, but I know how conditions can get on big water. I also plan to go to Trout Lake (reason for bringing the small boat) If anyone has tips on Trout Lake for Pike. Thanks and #tightlines!

Hi all. I am currently at Rush Lake near Perham at Four Seaons Resort. We’ve been here three days and have caught basically nothing. Can anyone give me some advice on walleyes here? Where to go and good baits for this lake? I’ll take any advice on any type of fish you might experience with on this lake. Never been here before.....

I've had an old rapala cd-18 since I was a little guy and the wife has hung it on the wall and won't let me fish with it anymore. Just wondering if anybody knows a store i can go find this at. I've been to the Cabela's in Rogers and owatanna both, sportsman's Warehouse in coon rapids and about every Walmart bait shop and gas station I've stopped at with no luck. Really miss using this lure as it is the most productive thing I've used outside a 3 inch red and white spoon.