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Crankbaits a valuable assets on the waters

From about as far back as I can remember, I’ve enjoyed a fascination with hard-body fishing lures. Some call them plugs, while others know them as crankbaits. Regardless of the nomenclature, the hard-body lures sport lips that cause them to dive, wiggle and wobble in ways that entice fish to strike them. My first introduction to the wonderful world of fishing plugs happened many years ago. The tackle store near the cabin Mom and Dad rented for a vacation week in northern Michigan had an aisle and pegboard wall displaying a significant inventory of Rapala, Rebel, Heddon and other ...

Bass fishing ahead of schedule this spring

Northeast Ohio’s bass fishing is ahead of schedule based on my Kentucky Derby seasonal yardstick. Historically, I’ve always enjoyed the peak of my spring bass fishing as the thoroughbreds lined up at Churchill Downs, the ladies donned their fancy hats and everybody sipped mint juleps. Whether I’m casting for largemouths or jigging for smallies, the first Saturday in May is hot stuff on my fishing calendar. This year, of course, the mild winter surrendered early to spring. The reservoirs sported ice for only a few days and Lake Erie never froze, so the bass made an early and ...

Local racing season begins this weekend

Spring is here, and for many of us that means racing season is upon us. First up this Saturday, Michaels Mercer Raceway will feature FAST on Dirt 410 Sprint cars. A great field of cars is expected as two regional tracks will not be racing Sprints to allow Mercer a great field of cars. Support divisions will include 305 Sprints, crate modifieds and mini stocks. Gates open at 5 p.m. with racing at 7. Next up, “The Grand Old Lady of Racing” Sharon Speedway will swing open the gates on Saturday, May 11. Since 1931, the Hartford oval has hosted auto racing. The season kicks off the ...

Memories make it worth it for anglers

The wonders of fishing are the memories the anglers take home from each and every outing. Season after season, high points happen for those who pay attention to their surroundings and appreciate fishing for more than producing stringers of meat. We file the highs in our memory banks, where deposits far outweigh withdrawals. My avid angling days started long ago on waters where a novice could experiment and learn the building blocks for the foundation for more sophisticated techniques, adventure-filled lakes and memorable encounters. April days during my pre-teen years found me ...

How the Phantoms manage road trips

Athletes at all levels are familiar with the bus trip. Few, if any, in our area log more miles on their bus trips than the Youngstown Phantoms. Trips to Dubuque, Iowa; Green Bay, Wisconsin; and Chicago are yearly affairs, and depending on how the schedule falls that season, Fargo, and western Nebraska are potential destinations as well. It’s a great time for team bonding and creating memories during a situation very few would call enjoyable. I mean, being stuck on a bus for what’s around a 17-hour bus ride to Fargo isn’t what anyone would necessarily call ideal, but how you ...

Spring angling success depends on weather

Unsettled weather is a hallmark of spring in Ohio, a phenomenon that runs in lockstep with the fishing here. Whether you chase walleyes, bass or crappies, your fortunes almost always swing on the weather. Generally speaking, warm and sunny days put most of our popular species in the mood to feed in advance of spawning, while the transition from good weather to bad often ignites the bite while stalling the spawn. Everybody loves to pack their gear and head to the lake when the forecast is for sunshine and a warm breeze. The fishing probably will be good, but just getting outside ...