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

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?

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

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 ...

The sounds of spring are filling the air

Every day as we advance toward May, the wetlands around our region’s lakes play a symphony of songs that enchant those of us who love our outdoors. Springtime music fills the air around Mosquito, Pymatuning, West Branch, Milton, Berlin and Shenango. Songbirds play the high notes, while spring peepers set the background beat and woodpeckers tap out the percussion. Anglers’ ears are tuned to the performance day after day. To me, the music means good times and productive fishing. I especially love the playlist as I work the shallows bordered by cattails, willows and spreads of ...

You don’t need to travel for a quality catch

One of my fishing friends reels in a pretty penny organizing and promoting fishing adventures in exotic locations in Central and South America. His business serves people who scratch their itch for trophy catches of tuna, marlin, dorado, grouper and all manner of saltwater species aboard skippered charter vessels operating out of lodges and marinas that cater to U.S. anglers. Anglers yearn for amazing encounters with fish that fight hard and break the scales, but most are shy about digging into their retirement savings to pay for trips to Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Panama and ...

The magic of fishing’s ‘Opening Day’

Every day after ice out here in northeastern Ohio, a fresh corps of anglers pulls up to a launch ramp with a flood of emotions only a fishing person can understand. Whether we’re at Lake Erie or an inland reservoir, our arrival for our first launch of the season is accompanied by feelings of excitement, anticipation, adventure and, of course, giddy happiness. While many have already christened their fishing boats for 2026, a good many more are waiting for April’s fairer weather to head out on their favorite lakes for springtime walleyes, crappies, bass or whatever else might ...