Marty

I'd certainly consider Original Stren as one of your options.

You could use a permanent marking pen to write something on the lips or the bodies, but "permanent" is a stretch based on my experience. I tried marking depth on the lips, but eventually it washed off. If you don't have a lot of turnover in your crankbaits, you can stick small adhesive labels on the inside of the lid in positions that correspond to the compartments and cover the labels with clear tape so the ink doesn't wash off. I do this with my hook box. In my personal circumstance, I'm able to remember most of the info that I need about the cranks.

Choosing crankbaits can be difficult because there are so many choices. However, countless brands and styles work very well. Chances are if you get a few of any decent brand that cover the depths you want to fish, you'll be all right.

Maybe you can find a middle ground, but I couldn't enjoy both types of fishing with one combo. I'd want an ultralight with 4# line for panfish and at least a medium with 10# test for Senkos. As has been mentioned, if your outfit is strong enough for Senkos, it'll catch panfish, but won't provide the fun that these scrappy fish can provide on light equipment. Sorry to be negative, but you're talking two different types of fishing.

The April 15 flyer did say that it's a "Dick's exclusive."

Just look under my name, that says it all.

I had one and caught a number of fish with it until I lost it to a snag. I personally couldn't detect much difference between it and a conventional spinnerbait, so I buy spinnerbaits instead for a few bucks less.

I rig a 5" Super Fluke weightless with a 4/0 extra-wide-gap hook. I use a jerk-pause-jerk retrieve around shallow cover. I also like to use it in heavy vegetation, such as lily pads, working it over, around and through the weeds, letting it sink into holes and at the edges. Also walk the dog with it on the surface. Most of my strikes are detected by seeing the line move off to the side, so I'm a constant line-watcher.

I also like lively debate, it's a lot more interesting than blandness.

I had elbow surgery three weeks ago. In my case, I had a compressed ulnar nerve and the procedure was called an "ulnar nerve transposition." I had a splint on for 10 days.

I've used Firefox for a couple of years and have been very pleased. I wouldn't uninstall IE because you may need it for the occasional site that doesn't show well on FF. In fact, I don't even know if IE is uninstallable because it is part of Windows. I can play You Tube on FF.

Yes, but take into account that I am not considered normal by many who know me.

I have one Lightning Rod that I bought a couple of years ago for $25. I think it's a fine rod for the money.

Lay your supply spool on the floor such that the line comes off clockwise and you should be OK.

I believe that catching on the front hook means that the fish are hitting it more aggressively (for whatever reason) than if you're catching them on the rear hook.

I also leave the split rings on.

I don't fish deliberately for pickerel, but they occupy the same places as the bass where I fish, so you could say I'm fishing for either species when I'm in pickerel waters. They will take any lure that exists, from topwaters to bottom draggers and everything in between. If I had to choose one lure, I'd give the nod to spinnerbait, but not by much, as they will readily take anything. They're fun to catch and I've always felt that they fight better than largemouth.

Here's one more choice. http://aquaplant.tamu.edu/database/index.htm

I tried a weighted retriever from the band and it was worthless. Then I bought a telescopic one that extends to 20' and that has saved me over $200. However, I use it where all the snags are rocks. I wonder if the snag was branches, if the branch just wouldn't bend under the pressure and notfree uup the lure.

I think the Senko wasn't patented, but verify if you want to use that fact. This is very unscientific, but in addition to Senkos, I've used Yum Dingers and Zoom Z-Nails and felt just as confident using them as the Senko.

Water warms or cools slowly and air can change very fast, so sometimes there are large differences, such as during a quick warmup in early spring while the water is still cold. Shallow water warms and cools much faster than deep. Here is western NY, bass can be caught shallow from spring through fall, including the mid-summer period. I would think things would be similar in Michigan. Which is not to say there aren't fish deep, just that there are shallow fish too.

Do you know for sure that the pond has a population of good-size smallies? My personal experience is that smallies readily hit any type of lure. So I'd just choose based on depth, time of year, water temperature, sky condition, cover/structure and the like, without worrying about whether a smallie will hit it or not.

I also haven't had problems with the Booyah.

I've used super glue as a preventive measure, not because it was coming apart. But I think bending it closed is a much better idea. Let's clarify the terminology: the lure with this problem is the Booyah Boogee Bait, not the Chatterbait that is mentioned in the subject line. For what it's worth, this interchangeable blade is a worthless feature to me.

That's pretty funny. I saw it on PTI Friday.