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Light is right when it comes to spring fishing

When I gather a group of fishermen in one room, there's liable to be a gaggle of different opinions about how to best catch fish.

So I took a few steps in reverse mode, figuratively speaking, and told a friend that it's amazing just how many crankbait companies are selling their wares.

He agreed and added, "There seems to be a realization of the oft-repeated adage that the lures catch a fisherman more so than a fishermen doing his best to catch his supper."

And today's average fisherman is still trying to find the least expensive reel in a big-box store that comes saddled to what I call an imported, less-than-acceptable pretend rod, all comfortably shrink-wrapped in an airtight plastic shell.

There is nothing wrong about being frugal when buying tackle and lures, but in my experience, the less expensive the reel could result in a breakdown or gear failure.

And face it, the reel, be it spincaster or regular open-faced spinning reel, comes pre-spooled with mono line thick and heavy enough to pull a small car out of Mexican quicksand. A youngster with little fishing experience will try and make a cast with this clunker and wind up a mere 3-5 feet away.

But that's all a bit beside the point of what I'm trying to get across. So here it is, plain and simple.

At January's outdoor sport show in the cavernous bowels of Rosemont's Stephens Convention center, I went around the place trying to gauge a fisherman's plans and tactics for the spring season.

After getting those dozen or so differing opinions, I started suggesting what seemed to some as stunning and crazy ideas. I recommended using 2- or 4-pound test, preferably any brand of fluorocarbon, coupled to a light rod and reel.

Unfortunately I didn't have a digital camera with me to capture the looks of dismay and disbelief on the faces of quite a few skeptics.

I explained I had exceeded my own expectations in catching a number of different species of fish in a one-day period. I went on to add that instead of the usual heavier line and tackle, I wanted to prove my experiment would result in a "healthy catch."

I always had advocated 4-pound test line for most of my casual angling. I have been rebuffed many times by the boys with three first names who throw large spinnerbaits to the bank while using 30-pound test line.

A former south suburban rising angling star took issue with me one time for teasing the mindset of those "heavy-line" boys covered head to toe with sponsor names and colorful assorted dodads.

Most of those so-called experts never imagined big bass could be found and caught off of mid-lake humps while suspending just off the bottom. It took some Japanese fishermen to teach our boys the tricks.

And to top it off, none of the pros would take the chance of using 4-pound line, especially on clear lakes like Table Rock.

All right, I've placed my size 13 in my big mouth once again. I can assure you, though, that no one has ever accused me of being subtle.

• Contact Mike Jackson at angler88@comcast.net, catch his radio show 7-9 a.m. Sundays on WGCO 1590-AM (live-streamed at www.1590WCGO.com) and get more content at www.mikejacksonoutdoors.com.

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