Windycityfishing.com

My new Daiwa Tatula rod arrived today. Seems like a great rod. Can't wait to try it out.

Now if would only cool off a bit out there.

Everyone is GASing, why should not I be doing the same?

Nice yak! Details?

Rambler wrote:Nice yak! Details?

It's a 10" Perception Prodigy, rigged for fishing, with three rod holders, anchor trolley (and anchor). Weighs ~45 lbs, so I can easily put it on top of a car myself. It's not new, couple of years old I've been told. It feels and handles like a quality small recreational yak - my other kayak is Pamlico 100 and they are about the same.

Ordered a new rod each for the old lady and myself. I'm sure these will help improve our catch rate in a few weeks when we're up North. lol

Her- 6'6" ML Fenwick ETW
Me- 6'6" ML St. Croix Eyecon


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Had more UNgas... DEgas... Fart?

Sold off 5 more reels, 2 rods, about 60 lures and a couple spools of line.




I did add a few 1/16oz Fireball jigs and a couple shad raps to my walleye box though. My downsizing plan is working out well so far.


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I've been using a clunky cheap spinning reel on the light Ugly Stik I bought in June. Decided to get an Abu Garcia Revo Ike 20 to replace it. Found it on Sportco (affiliated with Costco Next) for a pretty decent price. Also ordered more Booyah Pond Magic spinnerbaits and a couple of Strike King Midnight rattling spinnerbaits. Still waiting on Tackle Warehouse to deliver the line I bought for the Revo Ike (15 lb Power Pro braid hi viz and 6 lb Seaguar fluoro for the leader). I need to stop. I'm afraid to even add up the cost of all the fishing gear I've purchased since May.



GAS from Cabelas and Sportco by Steve, on Flickr

Steve it’s only money. Don’t worry you’ll make more.
What knot do you use for your braid to fluoro connection? I use the FG knot. It’s a little tricky to tie at first but now I can tie it without any issues. It is strong and thin.
~JOE~

Hmm...even at a "decent price" that's a mighty expensive reel for a relatively inexpensive rod. I'm not criticizing at all - just find it interesting.

joetrain wrote:Steve it’s only money. Don’t worry you’ll make more.
What knot do you use for your braid to fluoro connection? I use the FG knot. It’s a little tricky to tie at first but now I can tie it without any issues. It is strong and thin.
~JOE~

I've been using a double uni knot to splice the fluoro to braid and I use a San Diego jam knot to tie my hooks and lures to the fluoro. I'm going to take a look at the FG knot though. Of course there's no end to the number of opinions you find when you look up almost anything on the internet, and YouTube in particular. I've seen a number of people who swear by the Alberto knot as well. I should try the FG, if it's thinner than the uni that's the way to go.

Rambler wrote:Hmm...even at a "decent price" that's a mighty expensive reel for a relatively inexpensive rod. I'm not criticizing at all - just find it interesting.

No, you're right. So, of course, I will need to look into upgrading the rod at some point! It never ends.

("But honey, I really need to buy another rod to match the new reel!")

Do what I do. Reward yourself on your next birthday. Or don't even wait - just tell her you're buying yourself a special present & she doesn't have to give you one. Works best if it's within a few months of your b-day.

Just don't forget. During our AM walk along Salt Creek last week my wife asked what I wanted. I told her, "Nothing - I bought that sweet Daiwa rod a few months ago for my b-day."

And all was well.

cyanatic wrote:I've been using a clunky cheap spinning reel on the light Ugly Stik I bought in June. Decided to get an Abu Garcia Revo Ike 20 to replace it. Found it on Sportco (affiliated with Costco Next) for a pretty decent price. Also ordered more Booyah Pond Magic spinnerbaits and a couple of Strike King Midnight rattling spinnerbaits. Still waiting on Tackle Warehouse to deliver the line I bought for the Revo Ike (15 lb Power Pro braid hi viz and 6 lb Seaguar fluoro for the leader). I need to stop. I'm afraid to even add up the cost of all the fishing gear I've purchased since May.



GAS from Cabelas and Sportco by Steve, on Flickr

Nice reel, the purple color precluded me from purchasing one though. I have an SX 20 that's been a fantastic reel for the last few years... even though it's on only a $40.00 rod.

No matter whatever the combo is, if it works for you, keep on fishing!



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Some recent GAS.

Since moving south my side work has pretty much dried up but I recently did a small job for my neighbor and she paid me with a Tackle Warehouse gift card. On Black Friday I took advantage of the 10% off and ordered a few items.

I have found that the Rapala DT series has been a good solid producer for me in the colors shown. I also ordered a jigging Rap (sold all my ice fishing gear). I am thinking the jigging Rap will be good for jigging white perch in deep water.

The bag of bucktail was free. I got it from a deer hunter. I’m going to tie some jigs with it and add some to the rear trebles on some other lures.

~JOE~

Bumping up the gas...
Nothing terribly exciting, but GAS nonetheless.

I dont do the ned rig but have had a few requests for ned heads, so I went and bought the mold to add to the pile. It pours 1/16, 3/32, 1/8, 5/32, 3/16, & 1/4 oz.

Next, my jig hook supply was running low, so i picked up a few dozen or 5000 more to hold me over for a bit

My 1000 lumen, rechargeable, waterproof Slonik headlamp from amazon has been THE best headlamp Ive ever owned out of the dozens. The only improvement I could ask on it wouldve been an adjustable beam. Well, when they offered a 500lumen adjustable beam version for 25$ish, I bought 1.


Good lamp, but Ill take the 2 bulbs & 1000lumens over the single 500lumen adjustable beam everytime. IMO, cant beat either at the price!

Lastly,
Found an old blade bait that was tired, so I stripped the remaining finish & repainted it. Thought it turned out kinda cool!

I used to hate blade baits. Never caught anything with them till last year. Pulled one out and tied it on and proceeded to catch 2 stripers in the 24 inch range, a 8 lb cat and a 19 inch bass all in one day. I use them all the time now. They work.
~JOE~

Love blade baits joe. I kind of just started using them a lot only a couple years ago. I know whites/hybrids love em, so that stripper action you had makes a lot of sense to me. Lake Michigan brown trout love them too. Nice idea with the repaint.