It’s never too late to learn from a veteran fisherman

May 23, 2026

The fifth fish Ray hoisted over the gunwale of the Bass Cat was the proof I needed that I should accept his offer to share one of his lures. Sometimes I need the evidence to hit me in the head. Fishing buddy Ray Halter and I teamed up last week to explore one of our favorite lakes in search of springtime largemouth bass. Ray was the longtime owner of The Rodmaker’s Shop in Strongsville, one of northeast Ohio’s premier fishing tackle stores, and even as he approaches his 80th birthday still gets on the water two or three days a week. He’s learned a thing or two across the ...

Locals assisting paralyzed veterans

May 16, 2026

There is a code among those who venture out on the water that they are obliged to assist those who are in distress. Since ancient times, masters of vessels were bound to assist those they encountered on the water who required assistance. Mariners, including we who go to the water to fish, are duty-bound stop to aid disabled boats and their crews. And so it is that a flotilla of captains will set sail May 30 and 31 at Mosquito Lake. Their mission will be to skipper boats for U.S. military veterans who love to fish but have suffered spinal cord injuries during their service. The ...

Know which tool will get the job done

May 9, 2026

Anglers know that size matters when it comes to deciding which lure to tie to the end of their fishing lines. Lure-makers recognize the size question, of course, as they make their baits in a variety of sizes, providing anglers with options they consider likely to tease the fish they seek to catch. Many believe that big fish prefer big baits, which is true to some extent. But those of us who have spent years and years out on our favorite lakes know that big lures sometimes fool little fish and tiny baits often are eaten by giant fish. Recent advancements in fishing’s sonar ...

Plastic worms have changed, they but are still a go-to lure

May 2, 2026

Plastic worms have evolved over the years from the basic nightcrawler-shaped wigglers crafted by inventor Nick Creme in his kitchen in Akron to an array of lures engineered to fit a variety of tactics. Whether fished Texas-style with a small bullet weight; weightless on a wacky rig or any of a dozen other presentations, plastic worms are perhaps the fish-catchingest artificial lures in anglers’ arsenals. They likely have accounted for more bass catches than any other class of lures. We are hard into worm season here in northeastern Ohio. My boat is loaded with an assortment of ...

How do the draftees fit?

April 28, 2026

As a Browns fan growing up, the NFL draft was one of the only things to look forward to on the league calendar. Hours were spent as a kid looking at draft profiles and big boards, while thinking of potential trades that could shake up the selection process. The 2026 draft is over. So, let’s look at what the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers did through the first three rounds, because those are the draftees more likely to make an impact. Additionally, there will also be a Day 3 player for both teams that should be the most intriguing to watch when camp breaks. BROWNS – ...

Adjusting to changes at favorite spots

April 25, 2026

Change. It’s inevitable. Nothing stays the same for long. Just when we are getting cozy with an idea, a place or a thing, along comes a change. That includes the lakes where we go fishing. From time to time, I think back to the days when Barb and I first ventured out to Mosquito, West Branch, Berlin, Lake Milton and Shenango in our brand new Arrowglass tri-haul. It was 1977 and we had been married only a year when we made a snap decision to buy the boat on display in the concourse of the Southern Park Mall. Thus began our up-close-and-personal experiences on our local ...