I always prefer fishing jigs but I do not let my preference stop me from catching fish. Since Ohio permits an angler to use two poles. I bait one with a slip bobber and minner. The other gets a meat free jig or a jig plastic tail. There are days that both produce well. There are days when only one produces. Only a true fisherman knows how really picky the fish can be at times. Other times they seem like lemming just waiting to commit suicide on anything that hits the water. But most days fall somewhere between those two extremes.

I have had days when they wanted small minnows. I also have had days when they wanted minnows that were actually chubs. Partner and I were surrounded by 15 or so boats all using store bought crappie minnows. We were using 3-5 inch shiners that we had seined. We initially had set out to pursue walleyes hence the larger sized bait. The other boats caught a crappie every now and then. Partner and I had to go down to one pole as the action was just furious for us. As the crappies were located in a huge stump field. The secret was not our spot but the size of the bait. When we finally ran out of bait . It looked like the sooner land grab for our vacated spot. They refused to believe the bait was the " magic " secret.

I wished I could tell how fish would react on any given day. But since I can't . I pack everything that has worked for me in the past. If some want to look down on me for using a certain method or bait. I could care less. The pile of golden fried fillets on my plate will soothe any hurt feelings I might suffer.