CrowMan

https://www.sootoday.com/local-news/anglers-upset-with-proposed-changes-to-fishing-regulations-6079122

"I love talking about the nuances of stuff, thats the part of fishing that really gets me going. I could sit for hours and talk about these little details." Same here. Obviously "the tug is the drug", but it's the details and strategies of fishing that keep it fresh and interesting for me all these years. The Addermine is not necessarily a drop shot rod...although I do sometimes use it for that. It doesn't have that wimpy "hinge tip" of a NRX or GLX DSR or St Croix LE or LT. It has a surprising amount of power through the middle of the blank, but the tip just "talks" to me. However, it's versatile enough to fish everything from Ned Rigs to small Swimbaits. It's just too bad they stopped making it...hard to find now. It's the one rod I would never give up. Completely agree....the Expride 7ft Medium is the best bang for your buck on the market today in a finesse spinning rod. Unfortunately, I never liked the the foregrip on the first generation...I like most of my fingers in front of the reel and there just wasn't any cork. However, with the new generation, Shimano changed that...it now has the grip just the way I like it. I tried to get the new one back in the spring, but I was asleep at the switch and they sold out everywhere before I knew it. I'm on the waiting list for the next shipment, so you may see my old ones for sale.

Most definitely agree...Good equipment will put more fish in the boat. My favourite finesse rod is a MegaBass Addermine. I've tried NRX's, St. Croix LE's, Daiwa Steez...but nothing "communicates" like the Addermine. There are more expensive rods, but there's just something about this blank that makes it special. I can tell if a Bluegill even breathes on my bait...nevermind bottom composition or weed type. Just an incredible stick for bottom contact finesse applications but still has plenty of backbone to haul them out. Also the handle/grip is perfect for the way I hold a rod...with most fingers in front of the reel. I'm sure others have other opinions, but I've asked my wife to bury me with this stick...lol. I take care of it with kid gloves, because unfortunately MegaBass stopped making this model.

Yes, I'm aware of the weed guard options. You can also " Chicken Rig" the Neko to make it somewhat weedless...1st image My question was more about hook point direction. Mike Iconelli is a proponent of rigging it like the 2nd image. I've always hooked it as in the 3rd image. Just wondering what folks thoughts are ?

I like the Neko rig too, especially when I'm in "search" mode...it covers more water than a Wacky which is often fished "spot specific". Not only worms but I also like fluke style baits with the Neko...looks like a minnow feeding on the bottom. The question that comes up for debate with the Neko...hook facing up or hook facing down ? Seems to be different opinions...snag resistantance vs. hook up percentage...

For Bass, I like a 1/0 wide gap finesse hook...that's with a standard 5" stick worm like a Senko. I like Gamakatsu hooks but all the major manufacturers have versions. Also, every plastics manufacturer has a version of the stick worm. Lately, I'm partial to MaxScent Generals. O ring or skin hooked, I haven't noticed a big difference in hooking percentage...although the O ring method tends to save on baits. I also like to fish wacky style worms on the drop shot...not only for Bass but Walleye inhale them too. Since Gary Yamamoto invented/developed the Senko in the early 90's, soft plastic stick worms fished wacky style have probably hooked more Bass than all other presentations combined. Even beginners can easily catch fish...it's what I started my kids with, and now my grandkids. And...a bubble gum pink worm hooked wacky under a float will trigger Steelhead, especially after they've seen roe (or imitations) float by all day...

LOL https://youtube.com/shorts/3ma5RY8id2o?feature=share

I'd put my money on eastern Lake O for the next record Smallmouth. Between the Gobies, Alewife and Gizzard Shad they just keep getting bigger every year. This spring, during the new C&R season, the number of big tanks we hooked was incredible.

We got over 100 big Smallies the past 3 days. All 25 to 40 ft deep on fast breaking transitions from shallow feeding flats to the deepest parts of the main lake basin. You're basically looking for the "elevators" adjacent to the any remaining green weeds (especially Cabbage) or boulder fields. Water temp was 52f. Most fish came on dropshots with minnow imitations in natural colours...this was a clear water lake. MaxScent FlatWorms in Black Shiner and Z-Man Jerk Shads in Smelt got most of the bites. This is my favourite time of year for big brown fish.

Up in your neck of the woods... https://www.instagram.com/p/Bcu6YWlF8b3/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y= I heard the term for first time on LOTW many years ago...and just this September I was at Lac Seul Outposts and heard it from the owners amongst others..

The season for Lake Trout is closed in a lot areas this time of year. Check the reg's where you plan to fish. They are fall spawners. Smallmouth were on fire today.

My buddy and I got a few 5lb fish today...small inland lake. Hard to see how that one is twice the size...

Cabbage Dragon...It's a moniker for Musky you often hear up in North Western Ontario...LOTW, Eagle, Lac Seul...

Thanks...great idea. A lot less expensive than the after-market racks.

I assume the advertisers help pay the bills. Where do you make the call on whats "acceptable "...its a slippery slope. If their money's good, well we still have free speech. If I don't like it, I just ignore it. Personally, I don't believe in censorship.

https://www.blogto.com/city/2022/11/ultra-rare-cabbage-dragon-toronto-harbour/ Long way from either Niagara or the St. Lawrence. I've seen some big Northerns come out of the Leslie St. Spit or the channel by Ontario Place but this is a first..

So they can get votes from little old ladies that think Coyotes are the coming of Armageddon. Seriously...yes, we fund Animal Control Officers to protect the public because they can't protect themselves. Same as any policing. But compensating an individual farmer for his loss with public funds when he knows there are all kinds of risks associated with farming shouldn't be the government's responsibility. Let the insurance companies do it, not the taxpayer. It's just like farmers taking out crop insurance in case of adverse weather. I certainly don't agree with farmers being able to kill any predators at will...just like I can't shoot the Deer that eat my veggies....unless the season is open of course..😁

Just don't get it...that's what insurance is for...leave it to the private sector. If you want to insure your crops or live stock then take out insurance. Let professional actuaries determine the risk, and hence the premiums and payouts. This should be left to to the competitive market place...the government sticks its nose in business that they have no clue about. Things like fish stocking of public waters are to the benefit of most Ontario citizens, and the scale and scope make it difficult for private business to accomplish. Compensating an individual farmer is a different matter and does not require the involvement of the government.

This pretty little kitty showed up on a trail cam by my place in Eastern Ontario a couple of weeks ago. These cats are certainly secretive...none of my neighbours ever see Bobcats, but obviously they're around...

I have no doubt that wild Cougars exist this side of the Manitoba border....but why is the government compensating farmers with taxpayer's money for livestock killed by natural predators ? I know we live in a welfare and nanny state...but isn't that an inherent risk of farming...jeez I don't even get the rationale behind that. So next time the Deer help themselves to my vegetable garden, the government should cut me a cheque ??

A lot of these seemingly random Cougars that have been sighted or killed east of the Mississippi ( or Manitoba) have turned out to be escapees from private zoos or pets. Plenty of "Tiger Kings" south of the border, and even a few in Ontario. I remember last year the cops having to corral an adult Cougar from a New York City apartment...where it had spent most of its life. Apparently not that unusual...

For the last dozen years (for a lot of my presentations) I've been using a braid mainline and a FluoroCarbon leader. For most finesse and bottom contact applications, I find this gives me the best of both worlds...the sensitivity, no-stretch, and casting distance of braid, with the invisibility and abrasion resistance of FC. Over the years, I've tried many different knots to make the braid/FC connection...Double Uni, Albright, Crazy Alberto, etc. All these knots work...however, once I tried the FG knot, I was sold. It's definitely the slimmest knot by far (no annoying tick-tick-tick as it flies through the guides), and virtually every knot comparison test that I've seen rates it as the strongest braid to FC connection. I've used the FG confidently from 8lb NanoFil to 6lb FC...right up to 80lb PowerPro to 120lb FC. However, the biggest issue I had with the FG was tying it. There are several manual methods of tying it from loading your rod and holding the braid in your teeth, to making a cats cradle with your hand. It's all about keeping the right tension on the braid. For me...with aging eyes and arthritic fingers...it was always a challenge...especially in a rocking boat, with the wind blowing, at dusk...well you get it. Most importantly, even though I eventually got it done, it was the time it took away from having a line in the water when the bite was on. A few weeks ago, I came across the "Daichi FG Knot Assist Tool 2.0". It's a fairly simple device...that elicits a "why didn't I think of that" response. I can now tie a FG in less than 2 minutes even in the dark. I got one on Amazon for $30...worth every penny. This video by JP DeRose will explain it better than I can: There are a bunch of other videos on YouTube describing it too. Even with the tool, it initially may seem quite complicated...but after a few tries it's as easy as making a few half-hitches. Although not necessary, I do recommend the "Rizutto Finish"...again, much easier than it looks. Anyway, I highly recommend this product...and if you haven't tried the FG knot...once you fish with it, you'll want to use nothing else.

That's what I'm leaning to...I can buy a lot of rods for a $1000...lol...and I hope to do this trip again in the winters to come.

I guess my wife can ride in the back...lol One of the rods is a St.Croix 8'6" I've given it a lot of thought, and unless somebody has another idea (that's why I posted) the "rack" solution might be the only thing that fits the bill. Anyone have ideas on a less expensive rack ? Doesn't need to support much weight, just the rod bazooka.

I can get a 7 footer in the cab...but unfortunately not an 8. Finally retiring...doing a month long road trip this winter...fishing along the way from the Carolinas down to the Keys. I'm arranging some charters and wanted to bring some of my favourite Musky rods for some of the bigger salty critters...Stripers, Amberjack, Tarpon, Grouper, Cobia...