First off I have no financial interest in either of these products. I am mentioning them here, because they impressed me very favorably over the past week.

#1 Southern Pro's new Pro Series Hustler had two patterns I tried over the past week, or rather we tried in the boat I took out, Money and Cajun Cricket. Money struck out but the Cajun Cricket was the hottest plastic day in and day out all week long. I only had ten of them; so I let my fishing crazy sister use them. Not only did she catch more crappies than anyone else in the boat, she also caught the largest that my boat took. She also caught sunnies and hybrids, bass to 4 pounds, rock bass and pike on them. That pattern outfished my Pearl BG Baby Shads hands down, although that came in second.

#2 Lakemaster has a series of paper maps that are detailed and from my experience very accurate, even including some GPS way point settings. Far better than those available from the Minnesota State DNR at MN Lakefinder. There are bundles and many individual maps cover more than one adjacent lake cost on line is about $10 to $15 apiece and there are bundles for a bit more. Cheaper generally if you can get them from a store.

The DNR's Lakefinder is still a very good source for background information, including general stocking, consumption advisories, fish population samples, and general comments on most lakes and the fish populations in them, and the recreational compass shows where the individual lakes are and the roads available to get there.