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I know someone has to have checked or fished over there.

https://www.outdoornews.com/2023/02/08/a-case-study-on-minnesota-crappies-looks-at-barotrauma-in-the-popular-fish/ Interesting study on barotrauma and crappies. Obviously a relatively small sample study but results were pretty eye opening to me. I for one am guilty of this but will definitely change my practice. I have already stopped walleye fishing deeper than 30'. Was a bit bummed to see that fizzing didn't work. I am not opposed to deep fishing like the article states, those times should be limited to strictly harvest. Everybody's thoughs?

I like to prep early for ice so I do my shopping early before November at least. I've never had electronics for ice fishing before and I had been eyeing up the Garmin striker 4 ice fishing bundle and finally pulled the trigger yesterday. As a first time fish finder user any tips and tricks are appreciated. I also added a few Northland gill getters, Clam leech flutter spoons and Fiskas wolfram tungsten jigs (I'm a big panfish guy ). What are your staple panfish lures for ice fishing? Have you/ are you going to invest in any new gear for the upcoming season?

It has been a while but as a follow up review to the Shimano Curado BFS reel after a season or two of use. To now also include it's predecessor the Shimano Scorpion BFS reel as in comparison. First off, the Scorpion BFS originally retails for roughly about $350 after the international currency exchange rate during it's production years from back in 2016 to about 2021. That's when the Curado BFS was introduced to replace the Scorpion BFS coming in about $200. In Japan it was the SLX BFS reel that replaced the Scorpion BFS. That market impact was really the price drop. Well with the Covid 19 effect, actual finished goods was scarce as well and finding a reel was not so easy. Overall the Curdao BFS reels have proven to up my game. Most notable is the clicking drag. It's is so much easier to gauge feedback when a fish is pulling line out. The lure drop also has a marginal improvement due to the larger arbor of the spool. Most of all that shallow spool means less line on the spool and for the purpose of ice fishing it all just comes down in sync. I still fish my original Shimano Chronarch 50Mg. So there is always a basis for comparison, and I think that reel is approaching 20 yrs old or something. Since the Scorpion BFS reel was being retired, I did by chance find two on clearance. I did buy the Scorpion BFS for less than the price of the Curado BFS. With that, I have the Scorpion BFS to compare with the Curado BFS. Now both reels are basically identical in so many ways, that even the spool can be interchanged. Now with some minor detail differences, in cosmetics and some internals. For one thing the Scorpion BFS spool has more ported drill holes. Cosmetic appearance a better paint job, much better. It makes the Curado BFS looks like they just skipped a few processes in the manufacturing of it. Yeah for sure they did or rather no longer subject it to full manufacturing process. Even the empty reel, feels smoother in dry empty operation. The drag clicker feels a little smoother and slightly muffled down. The drag curve seems more robust and responsive too. During the initial field test after reels were spooled up, all of that subtle effects shown as well. On the ice, yeah a somewhat slight better overall performance. Very small minute feel of better reel response while hooked up to a fish. Smoother operation and even smoother lure drop feel. After the ice thawed and open water came about. Well for initial backyard casting tests. The Scorpion BFS reel also showed some better casting results as well. It was all nominal and small, but yet it was all showing better performance feel. In a after retrospect, I'd wish I had gotten the Scorpion BFS long ago. However the big retail price of it, was just too much back then. The lowered prices of current has made BFS reels for ice fishing much more practical.

So I really got my first field test of my new Zodias Rod I purchased this spring. I did bring out both the ZDS70LA and ZDS70MLA. Since I only managed to hook up with fish on the Light power rod, it's really the only one that got the real test. Anyway for both rods casting is wonderful smooth and slick. I didn't put any additional effort other than the bare minimum. Lure retrieve also was wonderful for both rods and both rods don't even feel like 7 feet rods that's I've used in the past. I almost felt like they were shorter rods with feel in likeness to a typical 6'6" rod in use. Working lure retrieval on these rods feels like they're robust medium rods. At first I was wondering what's the ding ding sound while I was using the rod and it turns out that it was just the butt handle clanging onto some D rings on my clothing. I almost though that something in the rod was broken or either it was my reels. What a relief. I'm still not quite accustomed to this effortless casting motion and having a lure project itself so smoothly. Still not accustomed to a rod that in the casting motion is so well tuned. I did not even need any counterforce at the end of the casting stroke nor any need to grip the rod more firm to dampen the typical harmonic vibration that some rods exhibits. That monocoque butt handle design really upgrade the feel of these rods. While hooking up with some little white bass, the Light power rod loads up very well progressively. These are just fish in the 15-19 inch range so not to big nor are small either. Overall I could've confused my sense that it was a Moderate action Medium powered rod with the crispness of feel of a Light powered rod. Only a few times did I look down on the whole rod with the fish on did I notice that it was still a Light powered rod. I didn't have a need to put a hook set nor did I feel the pronounced tap on the inhale to drive a reactionary hook set. There is the feel of the bite, then the solid weight feel and the fish is securely hooked. Looking forward for more field testing of the Zodias rods.

So onto a little experiment with the FG knot testing of the YGK G-Soul Upgrade X-8 and I crudely tied it onto some Fluorocarbon leader of either 30 or 40 lb test. I only did that one section and went to tie off the other end to a swivel like I normally would do so. For the results the FG knot would not break and held throughout my test. I tried a variation of knots this time and use a different choice of line to act as a buffer for the knot. Line upon itself yield a result of 5# 9 oz. Line with 80# braid yield a result of 5# 8 oz. Palomar knot: 4# 9 oz. Double Palomar knot: 5# 3 oz. Line with 4# gamma polyflex: 5# 9 oz. Mock FG onto a line clip: 7# 14 oz. Well if anything, it seems this line has a very strong FG knot compatibility. Typically it's my FG knot slipping and falling apart before the line breaks. Next up is FG to FG to double check how well an actual FG knot holds on me. Using the 14# YGK G-Soul Upgrade X-8 and connecting to 30# mono. It's kind of a test of whether a sloppy tied FG knot will hold. In the past I've had FG knots slipped on my connection during use. It would be obvious if the tag ends starts to unravel but sometimes it's the FG knot loops that gets loosen up. So I understand the importance of a well snugged down FG knot tying process needs to be in order to be effective. Well with such a tiny and light braid, that kind of tying pressure is not possible. At most it will just be snug and must be moderately done in the process otherwise the whole loops are pulled out even before they set down. For the test purpose the loops will only be done to 10 count only, that's about 10 per side and is kept rather short. Two slip knots with the mono and then two onto the main line. This is just bare minimum. The results with three trials. 8#4, 8#15, 9#14. I was very sloppy on my first FG knot trial. There was obvious a knot break but the whole FG knot did not unravel. The other end with the other FG knot held. There was also line pinch burn damage on the mono on the broken end after I removed the remaining broken FG knot.. The second trial was used on the same line, but I was more attentive to my knot tying. Again this knot also showed the same characteristic of a knot break due to line pinch again. It's a very typical braid break just right at the knot. The third trial on the same line, now I was much more attentive to my FG knot tying this time. Wow, best results so far and was on the same line. 16# YGK G-Soul Upgrade X-8 on FG to FG knot on 30# mono Three trials: 13#10, 14#1, 13#13 This is a huge difference comparing to my direct conventional tackle knot. Again the line breaks were right at the knot with the exception of one trial where I felt the knot slipping during my pull and it actually broke at the far bottom of the knot at the opposite end. Perhaps my initial loop must've crossed and that may have caused a pinch spot. I never figure that the FG knot would lend to better knot strength and this is giving results that tells me it's something I should put into practical use Final note that while using mono on the FG knot, I did not see the recoil effect on the braid line when I did a straight knot to knot trial of just the braid. The mono stretch must've absorbed the the recoil. As I was expecting lower knot results from a sequential trial, I am see this now that having a shock absorbing effect changes the results. The braid line is protected while the knot pinch where it is at the weakest point will break.

Sufix 131 G-Core Braided Line This line is smooth, very smooth, as smooth as a baby's butt. Well not, but being a 12 strand weave around a GORE Performance Fiber core line, it's by far the smoothest line I've held in my possession. It is also one of the most expensive line I've purchased at just shy of $40 retail for 150 yards. I purchased two spools, the 6# and the 10# spools. According to Sufix listed diameters the 6# is at .14 mm and the 10# is at .20 mm. These match up with the same test # and diameters of both Sufix 832 Advance braid and the old Performance Braid. One of the things I like to do now is give it a line performance tensile test. I like to check it with a knot strength tied onto a Spro swivel #10 and after learning the FG line to line join knot I check the line strength on that as well too. I gave it three trials successively on the same line. Meaning if that I were to fish with such line on there and I break off, I want to know if the line will stay usable after I retie. The results for a knot strength test. Sufix 131 G-Core Braided Line 6# .14 mm: 9# 4 oz., 9# 9 oz., 9# 6 oz. Sufix 131 G-Core Braided Line 10# .20 mm: 12# 4 oz., 11# 9 oz., 11# 12 oz. For the FG knot line to line join I was looking for a good high yield result. Although I did have some weaker knot breaks results they were still higher than a knot to the swivel. Sufix 131 G-Core Braided Line 6# .14 mm: 11# 12 oz. Sufix 131 G-Core Braided Line 10# .20 mm: 17# 13 oz. Comparison to similar diameter of other lines and break strengths: Sufix 832 Ice Braid .10mm 4# knot break 9# 2 oz. (FG knot break 13# 7 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. Diawa J-Braid x8 .06 mm 6# knot break 8# 4 oz. (FG knot break 9# 3 oz.) Diawa J-Braid x8 .15 mm 10# knot break 13# (FG knot break 17# 12 oz.) YGK G-Soul Upgrade X-8 .131 mm 14# listed knot break 6# 15 oz. (FG knot break 9# 14 oz.) YGK G-Soul Upgrade X-8 .153 mm 16# listed knot break 9# 7 oz. (FG knot break 14# 1 oz.) Sufix 832 Braid .20 mm 10/4 knot break 17# 5 oz. (FG knot break 20#) Diawa J-Braid x8 .19 mm 15# knot break 18# YGK G-Soul Upgrade X-8 .185 mm 25# listed knot break 14# 13 oz. (FG knot break 18# 14 oz.) In comparison to various other 8 strand braids their line strength is much higher overall but still within parameters. I suspect that the 12 strands + GORE fiber just being much thinner are giving out under stress a bit sooner. However the knot breaks has a consistency more so than any of the other 8 strand braids I've tested. That part on the product description holds validity. As so far, I haven't decided which reel to spool the line onto yet. I do plan on both spinning and casting reels. Looking forward to using this line.

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.

Well it was some late spring fishing. I was actually trying to target some white bass. I really wanted to get a feel for how this line would perform. Again it was only the 6# test listed and spooled on the Shimano Twinpower 1000D spinning reel. The rod was the Shimano Poison Adrena 6'10" UL/M spinning rod extra fast action. Most of the lures I used was just the 1/8th oz Kastmaster, 1/8th oz Bluefox Flash spinner, and a small 1/8th Rebel teeny popper. The line performed as expected like any other braids. However more notable is how much smoother the ease of casting was. Perhaps that may be in part with the equipment combination. One other thing I noticed was how much more buoyant this line was. It really floats on the surface easily. Maybe being just a new line or perhaps just how thin the line is that resists breaking the surface water. When hooked up with fish, it was solid and responsive. I had unfortunately foul hooked a few carps and that really gave the equipment a full hard test run. The line held and did not break off. The reel was very responsive in the drag control. The rod was just about overpowered by the larger fish but there was still a lot of user input control. There was some minimal line dig in on the spool after pulling in those big carps. It was easily cleared on the next cast or two, but it was present and felt on the next cast on lure flight. When I hooked up with smaller fish of white bass, crappie, or bullheads, the whole system felt just right with very good reel drag response and rod control. White bass tend to put up a good fight when hooked and this was perfect set up for this scenario. The knot formation on this line is very good. The knots looked far better than most other braids. My knot also held and no issues of unraveling thus far. I also did not see any signs of line wear as with most typical braids you see this on the first day of fishing. This is the same line I had used from ice fishing and it's still holding well. As so far, it feels as if this line has outperform all other braids I've used for initial quality consistency. This is a very expensive line and after this field test, I had opted to try more of it. So as of now I have obtained some 20# and 30# test listed and will decide what to do with it in the near future.

My first field test of the Sufix 131 G-Core Braided line in 6# spooled onto Shimano Twin Power 1000FD spinning reel paired onto Thorne Bros Perch Sweetheart 32" cutom. This would be one of the most expensive set up, both in reel and line. I was really trying to test it out on crappies, but it just happen to be walleyes that were hooked up today. While hooked up with fish, the combination was very high performance, it seem a bit too easy. The one piece handle has a solid transfer of power and feedback. The drag worked very well, smooth and sturdy, no start up pressure build or drop. The ability of the reel to line lay on the spool had more precision that I had expected, no bulge spots or dips. Perhaps it has something to do with the Sufix 131 G-Core braid being well rounded as well. The braid line at first showed very little line bubble on the sonar, but quickly vanish. I did had on moment that while setting the combo aside and using it again, I got the dreaded micro bubbles on the line and it showed it on the flasher. Again it vanished quickly after some use. In comparison Sufix 832 is more limp, but does have a subtle texture feel when feeling the Gore fiber. For the 131 the Gore Fiber is the core so it is an even smooth uniform feel. Not once did I feel like the braid hang up on itself on the underlying lines on the spool. It could've been attributed to the Twin Power spinning reel. Every lure drop was a very smooth line flow off the spool. As with any braid and hole hopping the ice up was terrible. Although the windy conditions also meant that regular monolines were also freezing within a moment. I will note that typically I am a bait casting reel in preference, I will say that the Shimano Twin Power has a performance merit in itself. It reminds me of both the Stella and the Stradic Ci4+ reel in a package. Eventually I would like to get this line on a bait casting reel and see how it's performance merits are.

I'm thinking about making a trip with my brother to the area to do some fishing. I would like to fish the smaller lakes, boat is electric powered, so I don't want to have high boat traffic and winds. If anyone can give some advice on a few good places that would be great. Plus some places to stay. Thanks in advance.

Looking for some trip advice. My dad and I are coming up to Minnesota for an ice camping trip between Jan 31-Feb 4. We have stayed in an ice castle on Mille Lacs the last few years and want to change it up. We have it narrowed down to Leech Lake and Red Lake. We fished Leech in the summer quite a few years ago with some success, but I am curious which lake people would recommend for an ice camping trip. Leech was intriguing for the potential perch bite as well, but I would love to hear some opinions. We are looking at going through a resort, so we can use their ice road access. Thanks for any help!

Good Evening, I'm spending more time this year fishing closer to home, which is wright county for me. I'm heading out to Buffalo lake for the first time. Going to walk out from the east ramp. Either going to fish the point just southwest or try and find a weed like in 10-13fow. Going to look for walleye and crappie in the weeds or crappies in a home. Let me know if I'm way off base. Thanks!

Can anyone recommend some good shore fishing spot in the 30 minute range of the twin cities?

Looking for a good lake for a short fishing vacation. I know that it's a long drive, but I'm hoping to get my brother onto some nice panfish. We have been pretty successful here at our home lake. However, we are looking for recommendations t

Guys, I am looking to chase some Sunfish during the Labor Day weekend timeframe. Anyone have any hints besides Greenwood bay? I know there has to be places these fish are hiding. Any help would be appreciated. I am on the East Side by birch point. Although I am not against chasing to the other side of the lake if the winds aren't blowing stink.... Have a great day!

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?

House was new in spring 2018. Spray foamed top to bottom. Extremely Light weight, all aluminum construction 1300-1400 pounds. You can easily pull with atv. with little tongue weight. Foldable and removable bunk, we used a cot for 2nd bed. -6 catch covers w/ sleeves -Nuway furnace, needs no electricity to operate manually, also hooked up to thermostat -12V low amp draw circulating fans -30A 115v to 12VDC power converter/battery charger with gen/power hookup -battery box with 12VDC-115v inverter, and battery meter (newer 31 battery negotiable) - LED hole light and beverage holder above every hole -LED interior and porch lights -Tv/dvd combo on swing wall mount -Pioneer stereo with 4 speakers -Loose spare tire (white steel rim) -Window Air Conditioner This house can go all weekend on a single battery without a generator. No exterior damage anywhere, tires great. Looking to possibly upgrade. Located 20 miles north of Rapids. Thanks!

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I am putting this out there if anyone wants to get together and fish around Princeton-Cambridge area I got a couple spots in mind. Let me know if you are interested as I will try to lock down an area with some active fish. Let me know what day would work. I do work during the week, so it will be on a weekend. Thanks, Monstermoose

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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