After reading all sugg.The boys and I went shopping.We ended up coming home with Strike King bitsy tubes in colors like green pumpkin,pum.green flake,and watermelon pump.craw..We also armed ourselves with assorted colors of Gitzit brand spinners(the youngest found them at walmart on clearance for.50 ea.)THAT CHILD IS THE BAIT MONKEY!)

Friday evening we tried out our arsenal at the inlaws pond.Things were going good until my three year old daughter started killing big gills on bacon and bobber.We then, like all fisherman, followed her with our own bacon and bobber :-?

When we arrived at the creek Saturday,it was swollen and dingy from the recent rains.This must have been a textbook situation because we immediately started catching smallies 10 to 14".This time we fished more of the slower and deeper water,Yes I did catch 2 that were 16/17"(elbow to finger tip).

Now I know they are there ;D

We are finally on the right track,Thanks to all

           -John

Great to hear that! I wish the streams I was fishing would give up some 16 inchers. Really glad to hear you were catching them. It's always easier to get kids coming back when they are battling fish on the line.

Good luck on your future trips!