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Dude, I already trolled that spot, nothing but slimmers! Glad I saved money by stopping smoking a while ago. It's free most of the summer now! Been calm and yellow out for days!

What is the best chip option for Vermilion. I am getting a new Lowrance HDS and need some guidance.

Following a long tradition here's the place to exchange Lake Vermilion open water fishing information for the 2023 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 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.

I came up when it was hot (mid 80's) and unfortunately it has stayed that way the whole trip. I knew I was doomed when Pike Bay was over 82 degrees, and Big Bay was well in the mid 70's. Skies have been blue, and with little wind to break up the water. I got up around 5 am, and stayed on the lake until 10 or so. I didn't want to get sick, this is supposed to be fun afterall, and I came back on after 4 pm. I trolled trying to find them. I was successful, but only got enough to get some fish fry's for the family. The bigger ones came from lead core, with an occasional one coming in from trolling shallow. DNR stopped by while on the lake, and he said the mayfly hatch might be starting. Good luck everybody!

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.

Thinking about trying pool 2 (from shore) for the first time tomorrow morning, ideally looking for walleye. Anyone know any decent spots or what kind of baits I should use? Thanks in advance

do yo need a South Dakota license to fish Big Stone if you leave the lake on the South Dakota side.

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!

Hey guys- anyone have any recommendations for Minnesota outdoors podcasts they like? Fishing, hunting or camping shows would be great. Thank you

Hey guys, I am looking to keep busy this winter and am starting to make my own tackle. If you have any old Do-it lead jig molds you’re no longer using please shoot me a message and let me know what you have and how much you’d like for it. I can pay shipping costs. Thanks in advance. Tony

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!

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!

I live in south mpls, near the chain of lakes and I love fishing for walleye but usually don’t have success from shore. Does anyone know some spots in my area for possible success and what techniques produce fish? thanks in advance

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?

Following up my earlier search for advice on camping with a couple more questions in need of help. At least three of us (1 boat) coming up Saturday through most of next week. Thanks in advance for your input! 1. With the high water, are any public accesses actually closed? Or can you launch if you have a couple guys and waders/hip boots? (Or, as a backup, will resorts let you launch for a fee?) 2. What bait shops do you recommend either in Cook or Tower areas or elsewhere? 3. Assuming 150-foot (or 300-foot?) no-wake restiction, how long of a boat ride from the West Basin to get to the East Basin in decent conditions? Of course, we welcome tips on tactics for walleye and smallies. Sounds like it's minnows-leeches for eyes in classic early-season habitat. For smallies, there is 3 of us so we fish different tactics until one of us figures it out. I'm guessing smallies will be pre-spawn. Or are they on beds? Again, thanks in advance for any advice. I'm in Central Minnesota/St. Cloud area. Happy to return the favor in this 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!

I want to put solar trickle charger on 12 v deep cycle trolling battery. would appreciate any experience good or bad. fingers crossed for opener

Hey everyone in the metro are I have tons of willow cats/madtoms. My number is 763-290-4710

Hello! My first post here, but I’m looking to take my family on a week long fishing trip with species of choice being Walleye. We have gone to Canada in the past, but we’re hoping to go somewhere closer to home in northern Minnesota. I’ve been looking at Winni, Bowstring, or Kabetogama. but am open to other options. I read Kabetogama got slammed because of the border being closed. We are looking to go the first or second week of July. So time is of the essence on the lake decision as things are pretty booked up already. Bonus for any specific resorts you love. Any recommendations are greatly appreciated!

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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

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!