Wapak Ice Dawg , we use 2 lb test all the time and when we have a good fish on we just back reel with the fish. Very rarely will we have a break off. As soon as we know it's a good fish we flip the reel to reverse to back reel with the fish and pull the vexilar out of the hole. Then we sit back and enjoy the fight , we usually get several good runs from the fish before we get the fish out of the hole. The largest saugeye I have gotten this year was a 24 incher using a size 14 diamond jig.

I have been ice fishing for 52 years. As I was growing up dad would tell the story about mom giving him heck since he kept me out on the ice too long, and him telling her that he wanted to come home sooner but I didn't want to leave.

# 14 marmooska tipped with a spike for panfish and a jigging rapala for saugeyes.