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Posts: 1936
Location: Eau Claire, WI | Most of us have now had a chance to get out on the water at least once by now....So what's your favorite new toy that you picked up in the off season..?
Baits, boats, rods, reels, radio, clothing, tackle box, etc...
Or is it still too early to tell...?
I have only been out for musky's once and other fish a few times but overall I am excited about using:
Drop Belly Slammer's, Tuff Line-XP, Triple D's, my new-to-me Ranger boat,
and a "secret" new Tinsel Tail bait that should be out next fall.
More new toys to still play with and form opinions on....only so much time.
So what do you like so far this year..? |
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Posts: 1536
Location: God's Country......USA..... Western Wisconsin | New 2003 Chevy Silverado Z71 tow vehicle. Blue & Silver with a matching fiberglass tonneau cover to match my boat. Also a new 401 TE Calcutta and a Thorne Bros. Diamond Back rod. Soon to be the proud owner of a Fig Rig rod as well. Life is indeed grand. It don't get much better than this. |
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Posts: 3926
| I tricked out some of my Abu 5000 series reels. Drag washers, gears, bearings, etc. Man, the one 5500C4 I totally rebuilt is indeed better than when I first bought the sucker. I'm also very proud of myself now that I can field strip, repair and lube my reels. You guys who encouraged me are right, with some practice and an exploded diagram, any idiot can work on a Garcia 5000 series reel. |
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Posts: 492
Location: Lindenhurst, Illinois | So far it's got to be a Perch Phantom. Boated 5 ski's since April 26th. I may not fish another bait all year. |
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Posts: 188
Location: Madison, WI | I have to agree with the Phantom vote. I bought three of them and I have to say that I am very impressed with the action. I've only been fishing once so the jury is still out but like I say, the action is great. Craig |
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Posts: 743
| MeHabeeb, i tried emailing you, but it came back...hit w/, phantoms [email protected]
tomcat |
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Posts: 1936
Location: Eau Claire, WI | Gotta agree with the Phantom comments, I've been fishing with them for several years with good success. While I'm happy for Todd that his baits are now being sold in mainstreem tackle shops it was kinda nice using them when they were not so well known... I always used them as a "show'em something different bait" not many people had them or knew what to do with them, they have been responsible for many fish over the years....
M-1 Sounds like you got a nice rig to tow that fancy boat around....:)
Ranger - those smoothie washers give Abu's a whole new level of performance... Price of a new C4 or C5 coupled with a few aftermarket performance parts gives you top of the line performance on a working-mans budget.. Gotta love that....
As much fun as playing with new baits are my old stand-by with time tested performance will get pleanty of use as well.. Boo-Tails, Undertakers, and Hawgseekers amongst them.
Have a great season playing with the "latest and greatest"...I think most of us are gadget-geeks to some extent, myself included.
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Posts: 1023
Location: Lafayette, IN | Has to be my "New-to-me" boat as well. Got some trolling gear that I'm anxious to learn more about. And a few new baits to get wet. |
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Posts: 492
Location: Lindenhurst, Illinois | Tomcat,
Sorry I forgot to update my email address when I changed jobs. You've got mail.
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Posts: 2384
Location: On the X that marks the mucky spot | I'd have to say that my 2 new Avid's are my favorites so far. Got a 7'6"H and a 7'6" MH and I LOVE them. My back doesn't hurt half as bad casting these sticks. |
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Posts: 139
| Would have to say its my new custom made baits and my Abu Garcia 10000 CL reel...And ive yet to be on the water... |
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Posts: 938
Location: NeverNever Lake | My Frabill Big Kahuna, I'm taken it to Sea World next week........... |
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Posts: 578
Location: Sheboygan Falls, WI | HHHMMMM, let me see.
1) New 90hp Suzuki
2) 2-St Croix's (that makes 6 now)
3) 2-6500C-4's
4) various baits
5) The New Mepps Musky Marabou that is hanging on my office wall (gotta love having things to play with well before they hit the market)!!
I can tell already, it is going to be a GREAT season!
Chuck
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Posts: 1462
Location: Davenport, IA | I got too many toys this year. For baits I love my DDD's and Magic Maker the most I got a Diawa Millionaire CV-X 253a reel that is really nice for everything but jerkbaits. 7' Gapen's Muskie rod is an awesome jerkbait rod. I love it. For the most part thats what i've been using this year. I can't put it down. |
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Posts: 544
Location: Alsip, Il | It would be the New Musky Rocket, aka. 2003 BassCat (MuskyCat in my eyes) Bassboat with a 150 EFI, so far 67 mph. At least if I don't catch anything I will look good and be able to get there in a hurry. My Dad just christen it (prevous post) with a nice 40 incher. Good Fishing, Al |
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Posts: 78
Location: Montgomery,Illinois | id have to say the rapala musky rods they are cheep but have worked great so far. Also I got some new bucktails and i like the bulldawgs an awefull lot. |
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Posts: 105
Location: Kawartha Lakes, Ontario | Muskie seasons don't open here until June 7, so I haven't been able to try any new toys yet. I installed an ABU-Troll line counter on a 6500 C3 and I'm curious as to how it will work out (accuracy, durability, water resistance). Has anyone tried one yet? |
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Posts: 32958
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | I am sure I will find my Mercury Racing built Opti Max 250 XS will be my favorite new toy. zoom zoom zoom |
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Posts: 2061
Location: Belgium | a triple D, small pacemaker, some custom colored lures from Stan the man, and the slammer dropbelly. |
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Posts: 2060
Location: Appleton,WI | I think the Zam's and rubberhairy gliders will be my new toys.I also think a few jigs and plastics will be fun too.  |
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Posts: 2089
| Has to be my "new to me" 2000 Ranger 620. Bring on the big water!!! Steve |
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Posts: 516
Location: Kildeer, IL | I can honestly say that I don't have one new piece of equipment. I went all winter without buying one lure. I did buy new batteries, but those aren't very fun. I guess I will have fun with my current selection of lures. I throw bulldawgs 80% of the time now. They have been really good to me lately. I'll switch lures when my partners start out fishing me with different lures. |
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Location: Woodstock, IL | So far it's been my new boat - Crestliner Musky Edition with a 150 Ficht - and all the toys attached (Genesis 74AP, Garmin 188 sounder).
Can't wait to try out the new 7'6" St. Croix Avid once the northern WI opener comes. |
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Posts: 103
Location: Illinoise | I picked up an Eagle 320 for the bow. It has been great.
Also, XLLUND painted up a couple of lures that look kick butt. |
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Posts: 1939
Location: Black Creek, WI | Well, I've only gotten out once for a few hours on the opener... but I'm happy with all of my obsessive winter purchases.
The Ocean Wave sunglasses seem to work.
The new 7'6" Heavy Avid loaded with Calcutta TE is nice.
The pole pouches appear to have helped my tangled rod locker.
Not sure if the price tag on these "luxury items" are justified... but I'm happy! |
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Location: Woodstock, IL | Oh yeah, my Tsunami polarized glasses I bought through Musky Hunter are pretty cool. |
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Posts: 477
Location: Iowa | So far the Eagle 320, 6'9" St. Croix, large pacemaker and magic maker. I just need to get one to actually eat the magic maker instead of just following! |
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Posts: 196
| My favorite new bait is the rubberhairy glider-no fish yet but a few lookers when nothing else was raising fish. |
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Posts: 147
Location: Leech Lake, Walker, MN. | My favorite new toy is a 620 Ranger. Love the boat.
Murph |
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Posts: 1438
| Pete's new reel - Only used it one day, but seems to be very smooooooth. Will see how it holds up.
Slammer Drop Belly's - what more can I say?
Cobb's Drop Belly - My first one...why did I wait so long? Should have got one years ago.
Scott |
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So what's your favorite new toy so far this season....?