5fishlimit

If they are eye jackets I would go with a different style. I've had more issues with the arms breaking on them than I care to remember. After 2 replacements in the first year, Oakley stopped fixing them. I paid for a third replacement, and after those arms broke I threw them away. GREAT lenses. Horrible frame.

If you go to Strike King's website, and download the catalog. In the back they have their regional sales people listed. Try calling them and work out a deal. You could also check with Tackle Warehouse, and see if you can work something out.

3/16th oz most of the time, but if I'm in deeper water or it's windy I will move to 1/4oz.

Erie is always good, especially the western basin! Mosquito Lake is always good, but is pressured from all the tournaments. Portage lake and Nimisila have good sizes. The Cuyahoga River down in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park is another good spot for smallies. Clear Fork and Berlin are others I've had good success at.

Oh, and don't neglect all the docks in the area!

I love fishing Berlin! There's some good smallies in there. I generally get really good bites at the RT 14 bridge, and the also over at the RT 225 bridge. There's also some good spots back by the mill creek inlet. Spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, and football jigs are what I use. My first trip out there last year I picked up a map by Fishing Hot Spots. It was about $10,and made a HUGE difference. Tight lines!

When I'm throwing a chatterbait I seem to get a catfish every so often.

Today I won a bid on ebay for 18 packs of rage tail items for $50. Mostly craws and baby craws, but also a shellcracker, lizard, and grubs.

This was working for me one day 3 weeks back, but my knot failed on a cast and I sadly watched it fly into the depths of the lake I was fishing. Ruined my mood for the rest of the day.

I picked some up from wallyworld to test. I won't get to using them until summer, but I'm not very hopeful. I got them for under $2. If they suck I'll snip the wire and reuse the parts for a proper Carolina rig. If it works... all the better I suppose.

Trim the skirt, no. Sharpen the hook, yes.

I'm usually out from safe light until about 1 or 2pm. The fish will let you know what they want.

I've been doing well with Rage Tail craws TX rigged in the Falcon lake color. Rat-l-traps in red. Chatterbaits in white, chartreuse, and white/chartreuse have also gotten some bites, too.

Slight tangent here, but I picked up a tube of the crawfish megastrike and have been using it, but was wondering if I'm supposed to be able to smell it or just the fish? It seems to be working as I've been having a great spring so far. Just noticed it's "odorless" at least to me.

Ordered a few packs of rage tail craw in falcon lake, summer craw, and green pumpkin. A driducks rain suit, and some culling tags. I love that Tackle Warehouse also does 2nd day air for $5.

The bitsy bug with a paca chunk Jr is one of my favorites when doing some river fishing for smallies! Like stated before you don't get so mad when you lose one to a snag.

You seem to be having zero luck with any Abu Garcia product. I would be emailing Pure Fishing with all of your rod and reel issues, and tell them to fix it. They seem to have great customer service, and may throw you some lures or something for your troubles.

I hope you can work it out to pick up the Duckett. I have been nothing but impressed mine. I got the 7'3" MH/F and will be getting a 6'6" M in a short while. Good luck!

I agree! The pflueger president is a really nice reel in the $60 range.

I've never held the ice rod, but the single best purchase I've made on fishing gear was my micro magic. Awesome in every sense of the word.

All of the above suggestions are good, but more importantly go to a tackle shop and get them in your hand. Some may be more comfortable than others, and pair it with the rod you plan on using it with to see how it balances in your hand.

This!

7'3" Duckett MicroMagic MH/F with a Team Daiwa Zillion 100SHL - 15# P-line C21 for jigs, t-rig, 1/2oz and up spinnerbaits, and carolina rigs. 7' Veritas MH/F with a Revo S - 10# Yozuri hybrid for spinnerbaits under 1/2oz, chatterbaits, crankbaits, and buzzbaits. 7'6" BPS Bionic Blade H/F with a Lew's Speed Spool - 65# Pro Pro braid for frogs, and pitching/flipping into thick cover. 7' St. Croix Premier with a Pflueger President spinning reel - 10# Sufix Performance braid for finesse presentations. I will be adding another Duckett soon with a Revo STX as soon as my income tax return finds its way into my bank account. I have to say I am in LOVE with these Duckett rods.

I use the Ardent line.

1. Ranger boats 2. Ford 3. Duckett Fishing 4. Daiwa 5. Shell (gotta have fuel)