This may help some folks. I have used it several times without out ever seeing a failure. You just have to watch that you don't damage the gills inserting the pliers. https://youtu.be/dtUoYjfjcS4

I'm not one to ask about Pine Flat because I don't do well there even in a boat. It is a big lake and access to the water is limited because of the terrain. You might be able to to fish around the launches. That's about all I know.

If you go to the Wisconsin DNR website (Department of Natural Resources) they have information on virtually every lake in Wisconsin, sorted by county. That will get you started. They take their fishing seriously in Wisconsin.

I have a friend who fishes it regularly and he does quite well there. It is apparently gin clear water and he thinks they are line shy so he uses 6 - 8 pound test for a leader. It is a "non-contact" reservoir as I understand it so no swimming and I think they are pretty strict with mussel invasion. Your boat has to be clean and dry. I'd google it before going so you know exactly what you're facing.

Good philosophy and great tool in the mental toolbag to pull out when you're thinking of wrenching on a nut...

[quote=seesalt]A few months back I bit the bullet and bought a Minn Kota Terrova with spot lock...really the best thing since sliced bread. I

I googled the subject a few years ago because my trolling motor batteries died (early) and I was trying to ascertain whether or not it was my on-board charger. There is enough information and opinions on Google to keep you busy or put you to sleep but I recall seeing several that say an automotive charger was not good for the battery. I echo the other folks replies that an on-board charger with a battery maintain cycle is the best way to go. I also echo the spot lock anchor feature. If mine failed I would stick up 7-11's to get another one if I had to.

What I ultimately decided in my case was that the batteries in my boat when it was new were perhaps low bid although it was a brand name. Then way back in 2018 (when boats were still available), some sat in dealer's lots for awhile and the batteries slowly lost charge and in that condition in the summer heat took its toll. I suppose a dealer could put a charger on them occasionally but something in my mind tells me that's not likely.

I have never responded to any of the snarky comments that fly around on the stage but it reminded me of a quote I heard. "Be not dismayed by critics, in the history of the world no statue was ever erected for a critic."

Nice job on the catching. :-)

[quote=Overcomer8]I've never caught a trout

I'm not typically a trout fisherman but I've caught quite a few (but in California) so maybe my inexperience might match up a bit with yours and it could bring some success. My typical set up starting from the hook end is a very small treble hook on a very light monofilament leader, 2 to 4 pound test depending on how line shy they are. The leader length depends on the depth of the water and where the trout are staging. That is hard to tell from the shore (no fish finder) so you'll have to experiment with different lengths in different locations. The other end of the leader you tie a loop knot. So your leader consists of a treble hook on one end and a loop not on the other. I'd suggest starting with a 4 foot to 6 foot leader. Set that aside when you've got that rigged. On your main line, slide your line though an egg sinker and tie on a swivel snap. The egg sinker can slide easily up and down the line and that can be important when the fish take the bait. So then, put powerbait or an inflated nightcrawler on the treble hook and attach the loop end of the leader to the swivel snap. When you cast out, the egg sinker will provide the weight to get you out there and the powerbait or inflated nightcrawler will float above the egg sinker. Reel in until you feel the weight of the egg sinker and stop, maybe giving just a little slack. Trout tend to let go if they feel initial resistance and that's how the sliding egg sinker comes into play. How long to leave it there comes from experience but that kind of rig you could leave it in one place for 10 to 20 minutes and it wouldn't be unusual. If nothing picks it up, bring it closer to shore maybe 5 -10 feet at a time and let is sit there again. Repeat the process in different locations until you find fish. If you do catch fish, knowing what you were doing and where, i.e. how far out, length of leader, type of bait, etc. will help you establish successful patterns. Trout tend to hang out together so where there is one, generally there are more. Don't be afraid to experiment and figure out what works. You will get snagged with this type of rig depending on the bottom so if you are in a lot of structure you might want to move. I have not found that trout tend to group around structure like bass do. Hopefully that helps a bit, as I mentioned before I don't trout fish much so I'm no authority but it has worked for me. Perhaps someone else can give you better advice so feel free to disregard mine.....lol. Good luck!!

Lol, I'm glad you have confidence in that. Oh, and there is a ta..., fee for that. :-)

ok, if y'all can stand one more response on this, here is what it says at DMV. https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/news-and-media/boat-registration-and-quagga-zebra-mussel-fee-stickers-now-offered-separately/ I can't explain the logic.

According to that, they apparently now DO NOT offer them together which is indicative of a governmental failure of common sense here in California as shocking as that is to most everyone. What most likely happened was ocean only boats were sending fees in for the sticker and the state had to send them the money back if they complained. That is pure speculation on my part because I am not an expert on anything.

As well, this is what comes up when you Google it. "The $16 sticker fee provides funding for infestation prevention and education efforts through grant funding, administered by the Division of Boating and Waterways, to eligible agencies for quagga and zebra mussel prevention programs at reservoirs that allow boating and fishing, and supplementary funding for California...."

So at the risk of putting you all to sleep, California passed a law years ago that to some extent prevented the legislature from raising taxes without the approval of the voters. What was left out of the law was language that prevented them from raising "fees." That's why we have the mussel fee, the lumber fee, the electronics recycling fee, the paint recovery fee, the fee fee, etc. etc. etc. So slap yourself on the forehead and have a laugh at our expense boys and girls. Our government is questionable but aside from that our state is pretty amazing.

i fished Hensley today for bass and got skunked. Talked to two other boats and they got skunked too. Fisherman's Warehouse has fish reports on their website and so does the Fresno Bee. Scroll to the very bottom on F W website and click fish reports. you have to select a store and then enter the location you want reports on. That part is a little less than user friendly, but it does work.

Looks like everybody got the mussel permit covered. I get mine when I register my boat but I think you have to click on the icon to add it to the shopping cart. I presume it funds some kind of mitigation but the lakes I fish don't inspect my boat and/or don't check for a sticker. The lakes that are concerned about it allow you to self-inspect and put the form on the dash.

Clear Lake as I understand it (particularly for those going to the meet and greet) you have to have your boat inspected and get a sticker before launching or you wouldn't be legal. Not sure what the penalties are for not doing it but you probably don't want to find out. I also understand that bait dealers/sports store can inspect and issue permits. The hours they do that are not 24/7 so I recommend you sort that out as a part of your plans before you get there to avoid an "aw sh*t" moment. If you arrive at 5 a.m. wanting to launch right away, I think you'll be waiting until something opens. Perhaps someone with more experience at Clear Lake can shed some better light on that.

For my own mini rant, Bass Lake requires a "Pollution Control Permit" to operate on the lake. The fees are determined by the hp of the boat. Mine is $50 for a 60hp but at least it's good for the year. Interesting thing is, no one looks at your boat or your motor so "Pollution Control" is "Californiaspeak" for "taxes." Literally there is nothing,..... zero, zip, nada, that has to do with pollution control unless someone can "splain it to me.... Additionally, for fishermen, it's pretty unfishable from Memorial Day to Labor Day because of all the pleasure boaters.

Finally, as I have had some experience in how California passes legislation, this kind of stuff is not totally unlike when the speaker said, "We have to pass it to find out what's in it." Lots of stuff like that gets passed in Ca. and relies on the courts to decide what the law means. Or..., when the bills are being promoted and all the flaws get pointed out, the response is, "Well we'll have to add some 'clean up' language" after is passes." Problem is, nobody ever goes back for the "clean up" language.

[quote=warmglass]We're going to Diamond Valley Lake

I've never fished it but one of my buddies does regularly. He is primarily a drop shot fisherman and often does well there, he's pulled some pretty big bass out of there and releases them. He uses a light fluoro leader, like 6 pounds because he says the water is gin clear. He also says there are a lot of snags there so he loses a lot of gear. I seem to recall him saying there are some pretty significant restrictions on what you can do related to the water. I don't think they allow human contact or something like that because it is used for drinking water. He also says the ramps can get busy, he never fishes the weekends.

Appreciate the reminder and the invite but I have a trip scheduled to Clear on May 8th for four days and a two week trip to Canada in late August. My wife still works and I'm retired so she counts on me to be the support staff. Don't think me trying to squeeze another trip in would be met favorably....lol. Good luck to y'all and if you haven't fished it before, be prepared to be amazed. Incredible fishery. I've only been there once before last year but it was memorable.

Here's a true, semi long funny story about phone banks. Banks are the fly by night companies that fill rooms with people who call numbers all day long trying to sell you stuff or s**m you. After a promotion where I worked, I inherited a phone number and the former fellow that had that number used to buy prescription drugs on line. I would get 8 to 10 calls a day wanting to sell me prescription drugs. I tried everything to get them to stop. Initially hang ups and then press 2 to speak with agent and when when a person answered, I said, "Will you please.." and then they hung up on me because they knew it wasn't going to be a sale. So when that didn't work, I pressed 2 to speak with an agent and when they answered, I blasted the receiver with a boat horn . That was great fun and the office loved it as long as I yelled "boat horn" before I did it. On a Friday I got a call and the guy says threateningly, "Oh so you're the funny man with the noise huh? Let me tell you what I'm going to do with you...." and I cut him off yelling, "Up yoouurrss!!" as I hung up. The next Monday I started getting calls pretty much one after another from numbers all over the country. One saying, "Who are you and why are you calling my wife?" Others saying "why are you calling my number and h*****g up?" and "You called my number in the middle of the night and hung up," etc. The guy I told, "Up yours" apparently was their tech guy or was the tech guys boss and set up his system to call random numbers and make it appear that my work number was the one that made the call. I had to abandon that phone number. Fortunately it wasn't that disruptive. Guess he showed me. Lol.