What’s everyone been doing in 2025?

[Redog]

Now that we are ice covered what are you guys doing?
I cut and split some ash wood from my parents tree they had taken down last year, probably work on that today some. I’ve also been watching a lot of football…. I put some pegboard in my shop and organized some extra baits and fishing line. I made a rod rack in my shop against the back wall and that turned out good… I might start looking at my ice fishing gear soon and try that. I’m hearing some places are 6” so that should be good. Other then that it has been pretty relaxing January.

[Redog]

Just got another load of wood cut and split…. Boy really feeling older only after a few hours of hard work. Maybe I need to exercise more!! That wind is cold on the north side of my parents tree line. Blowing right in my face. I wasn’t cold but my face is a little wind burned I think… I think the couch will have me the rest of the day.

[Phoenix Jim]

Ordering tackle

[Redog]

Ordering tackle

I need to start looking at that soon too. I know I need some bulk line and some plastic’s. Probably a few hard baits. I’ll start taking inventory soon.
How’s that heater working in the shop Jim?

[bassin74]

gonna try to kill a doe tomorrow in Southern iowa. they have remaining antlerless tags left so gonna try with the rifle. I missed last week with the muzzleloader. other than that not much right now. might make a mount for skull mounts in my wood shop. I will process the deer trim I do have in a few weeks. and make deer sticks too. I'm waiting for my new boat to come in. then I will do the wiring for my electronics myself and all my graphs and install my trolling motor.

[bassin74]

I need to start looking at that soon too. I know I need some bulk line and some plastic’s. Probably a few hard baits. I’ll start taking inventory soon.
How’s that heater working in the shop Jim?

I usually don't buy any tackle till bass pros spring sale in March. about every year strike king plastics 26 percent off and with my veteran discount its worth waiting. I plan on buying a new st croix spinning rod for throwing light hair jigs. probably 7 ' 6 at least. during that sale you turn in old rods and reels and get a good discount!

[Phoenix Jim]

I need to start looking at that soon too. I know I need some bulk line and some plastic’s. Probably a few hard baits. I’ll start taking inventory soon.
How’s that heater working in the shop Jim?

I love having it!

[Phoenix Jim]

I usually don't buy any tackle till bass pros spring sale in March. about every year strike king plastics 26 percent off and with my veteran discount its worth waiting. I plan on buying a new st croix spinning rod for throwing light hair jigs. probably 7 ' 6 at least. during that sale you turn in old rods and reels and get a good discount!

i was there today. They are already getting new gear in. The new zman Shadtron swimbaits look awesome

[bassin74]

i was there today. They are already getting new gear in. The new zman Shadtron swimbaits look awesome

that's awesome! I will have to check them out! back in December I did buy my first magdraft!

[Redog]

I usually don't buy any tackle till bass pros spring sale in March. about every year strike king plastics 26 percent off and with my veteran discount its worth waiting. I plan on buying a new st croix spinning rod for throwing light hair jigs. probably 7 ' 6 at least. during that sale you turn in old rods and reels and get a good discount!

Oh yes that is a good sale!!! I’ve done the trade in many times. It’s a good way to save a little money. Got a G-loomis GCX last year on trade (did have to by a $8 reel then trade it in)… I’ll hopefully be back on the water by the time that sale is going on.

[Redog]

gonna try to kill a doe tomorrow in Southern iowa. they have remaining antlerless tags left so gonna try with the rifle. I missed last week with the muzzleloader. other than that not much right now. might make a mount for skull mounts in my wood shop. I will process the deer trim I do have in a few weeks. and make deer sticks too. I'm waiting for my new boat to come in. then I will do the wiring for my electronics myself and all my graphs and install my trolling motor.

What cal of rife do you use? What boat did you get? Express was it? Tell us what trolling motor brand and grafts are you using and how many?? Are you going to have ffs on this rig? Mag draft are fun baits. I run the 6” free style and rig it with a big swim bait head. I like that better than the hook on the bottom. I do have some of the regular 6” with the hooks on the bottom. All my 8” ones are the normal one.. Good baits if you’re in big fish water. I think even fish I’ve caught on the 8” has been over 5lb. Big bait big fish right :-) still waiting to get one on the 10” one. Need a heavier set up for that big bait!!

[BasscatJake]

Been out on the ice a few times but mostly staying busy building rods. Between trying to get a handful of rods built to showcase at the DM swap meet and orders I've received, I'm staying pretty dang busy!

Getting ready to head out on a hard rock/metal themed cruise this weekend. I'm ready to be head banging to some metal music and sipping on some rum punch for a week!

[bassin74]

What cal of rife do you use? What boat did you get? Express was it? Tell us what trolling motor brand and grafts are you using and how many?? Are you going to have ffs on this rig? Mag draft are fun baits. I run the 6” free style and rig it with a big swim bait head. I like that better than the hook on the bottom. I do have some of the regular 6” with the hooks on the bottom. All my 8” ones are the normal one.. Good baits if you’re in big fish water. I think even fish I’ve caught on the 8” has been over 5lb. Big bait big fish right :-) still waiting to get one on the 10” one. Need a heavier set up for that big bait!!

my rifle is a savage 243. really packs a punch considering the bullet is 95 grains. yes the boat is a xpress h20 with 175 sho. I grabbed one of those helix 12s for 1500 from bass pro during black Friday. but paid less than 1300 cause of veteran and club Monday discounts. i kept my ultrex from my totaled boat. I will have a 106 sv with livescope , mega 360 with helix 12 up front. at console I will have 2 helix 12s. the new one will be side imaging, maps and my gen2 helix 12 will be 2d. just gonna buy the standard cheaper transducer for gen2. I will probably do nema for new gen4. and just a eithernet cable between the new one at console and one up front

[Redog]

That sounds like a really nice setup!!! I’ve got a 243 and it’s my favorite all around rifle. Shot lots of 270’s 30-6 and there not a comfortable to shoot lol. My friend has a 338 win mag. No fun! I would like a 308 and do some long range shooting with those heavy bullets. Or 6.5 but I think 308 is cheaper. Unfortunately fishing takes all my time and $$$ as my hobby. But that’s ok.

[bassin74]

That sounds like a really nice setup!!! I’ve got a 243 and it’s my favorite all around rifle. Shot lots of 270’s 30-6 and there not a comfortable to shoot lol. My friend has a 338 win mag. No fun! I would like a 308 and do some long range shooting with those heavy bullets. Or 6.5 but I think 308 is cheaper. Unfortunately fishing takes all my time and $$$ as my hobby. But that’s ok.

yea I'm looking forward to the new boat! I will run my own marine wire for the electronics. 8 gauge from battery yo front storage compartment where I will have a fuse block and livescope black box. then 10 gauge to all power cords of graphs. will have to set up my GPS puck for 360 and the puck for ultrex too. I set up my ranger and did my buddies boat this way too. I kind of enjoy it. just hoping to get boat by end of February so I don't rush doing my installs.

I love the 243 and my longest kill shot has been 315 yards. more or less it was lucky shot. it was a scenario where the deer didn't react to the muzzle blasts as I missed the first 2 shots! put third one in her heart!

[Redog]

Sounds like you’re going to do it right!! I don’t know if I enjoy rigging my boats but I can do it and it sure saves some money! Have you ever put gator backs on your bunk boards or put new boards on? I was thinking about doing that thing spring. Mine are good still but hear they load really nice and last a long time. I would do it for loading. I fish some electric only lake and thought it would be nicer to load. I really don’t have trouble just back in a little farther so I have less winching. Anyone have thoughts??

[Redog]

Been out on the ice a few times but mostly staying busy building rods. Between trying to get a handful of rods built to showcase at the DM swap meet and orders I've received, I'm staying pretty dang busy!

Getting ready to head out on a hard rock/metal themed cruise this weekend. I'm ready to be head banging to some metal music and sipping on some rum punch for a week!

That great!! I hope it goes well. If I go to the swap meet I will say hi.. I didn’t go last year I don’t know if the weather was bad or I was busy. I don’t think I’ve ever bought anything there but it’s fun to look and if there still ice I can’t fish so it’s fun to get out and do something.

[Redog]

Basscatjake. Are you going to fish the weekend warriors series again this year? Looks like a good schedule again. Interesting rules at one of the events were you can only fish one side of bojy and have to weigh a few small mouth it sounds. Is it getting harder for tournament directors to get permits? I have heard of a few rumors the DNR is cutting the amount of events on lakes? I wonder if they see something in the fisheries or other angler’s are complaining???

[fxphil]

I think they are trying to cut down on the tournys cause there are tournaments every weekend on the iowa lakes. The permits are hard to get if your not on there website at sept.1 midnight to apply, so many tournys.I think some of the other states could follow Iowas lead as to to take care of the lakes.

[bassin74]

Sounds like you’re going to do it right!! I don’t know if I enjoy rigging my boats but I can do it and it sure saves some money! Have you ever put gator backs on your bunk boards or put new boards on? I was thinking about doing that thing spring. Mine are good still but hear they load really nice and last a long time. I would do it for loading. I fish some electric only lake and thought it would be nicer to load. I really don’t have trouble just back in a little farther so I have less winching. Anyone have thoughts??

I put on bunk slicks on my ranger rt198p and in less than 2 years they destroyed the bottom of boat! the boat came off really easy and loading too. had to keep motor in gear just to get strap on. the paint wore down to the aluminum. I think gator backs are alot better product! my uncle put gator backs on his fiberglass boat and likes them. I'm just scared to even try it again! on my g3 I did have to replace the boards one time. I used treated boards and put new carpet on the them. some say not to use treated wood but I didn't have any problems.