Every angler can still learn something important

Most of the correspondence I receive comes via my e-mail account. And every once in a while, one stands out as the comment of the season.

This one in particular comes from a chap named Kenneth S., and from the looks of it he is not a happy camper. Here's some of what he wrote.

"What's wrong with the older fishing gear guys like me use, like the stuff I purchased 30 years ago? What's wrong with my old red and white bobbers that I use from time to time when trying to catch crappie and bluegill from nearby lakes? Are you on a mission to sell more tackle for the manufacturers?"

My reply was brief and to the point. Here's a smidgeon of what I wrote.

"Kenneth, I'd bet a single dime that if there was a way for you to learn how to catch more and bigger fish during your outings, you would like to know the formula. And my purpose in my column is to point the way and maybe switch on a light to make that journey a tad easier."

The exchange went on for several days until I finally made a final recommendation. I suggested he sign up for the bass and panfish segments of the Spence Petros annual fishing classes held in Palatine (on Tuesdays, March 9-April 6). He then wrote me that he felt insulted that I would suggest he had a few things to learn about fishing.

I guess that no matter what track I take, someone will pop out of the woodwork and assume an adversarial position. And that's alright, because many people have different opinions.

There was a period about 15 years ago that I thought I had mastered the various techniques of using slip floats for panfish. I met Spence for an afternoon of angling on an area lake and we started hunting for fish. We located a school of crappie and started casting floats and live bait to the fish. He caught almost a dozen fish before I had a bite. Petros suggested I switch to a smaller, fixed, balsa float since we were in fairly shallow water. That little change made all the difference because I was able to detect the slightest hit before the float disappeared beneath the surface.

During another outing with Petros on the north end of Channel Lake I was casting and "swimming" a small jig to the outside edge of a large patch of weeds. Nothing was happening. Petros again suggested I change my tactics. He suggested I switch to a small, drop-shot setup using live bait and a tiny twister tail. Bingo - I had arrived.

Even though I had been schooled over a long period of time, I finally realized there is always something to learn that could make the difference on the positive side.

Now, on the rod and reel side of things. Every once in a while I'll grab an old, 71/2 foot, soft-action fiberglass spinning rod and a 30-year-old reel and head to a local pond for some bass and panfish action. I need to prove to myself again that as good as the old gear used to be, it can't compare in sensitivity to the newer graphite rods.

To accomplish the test, I'll fish live bait rigged on a single hook and work the bottom near some weeds. There were times when doing this when I lifted the rod to make another cast and didn't realize I had a fish hooked. Lack of rod blank sensitivity? You bet.

In his Tuesday night class, Spence talks about and demonstrates the right way to balance tackle. That alone is worth the price of admission. And by the way, he'll teach you how to make good use of balsa floats, fixed and slip-style as well. Call Petros and sign up for the five week sessions. 815-455-7770.

Improving conditions for fishing at area lakesHave you noticed the transition yet? I'm referring to the better fishing both for ice and for soft-water anglers.The current conditions are part of a strange phenomena that often happens this time of the winter. You'll see what I'm talking about in the fishing report.Fox Chain: Better-than-average crappie angling on Channel Lake and Lake Catherine. Guide Darrell Baker (847-337-5559) continues to impress his customers by finding good-sized schools of crappie and large bluegills. Walleye action on Petite and Pistakee lakes continues to get better every day, with larger fish taken during nighttime hours.Deep Lake: This should be the time for you get out in this great lake for big bluegills and crappies.West Loon: Excellent bluegill action on the west shorelines.Geneva Lake: Geneva Lake Fishing club member Ken Abraham reports lake trout very active right in the shallower slot areas of the narrows. Crappie activity picking up near the Abbey.Lake Michigan: Suburban angler George D. reports excellent perching during sunrise periods on Navy Pier. bull; Mike Jackson can be reached via e-mail at angler88@att.net