Starting small

Sun improves conditions as the Hicks start their Oneida quest trying to get on good pattern of smallmouth.

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<p> Mark Hicks launches his boat at Oneida Lake Sunday. Better late than never.</p>
Mark Hicks launches his boat at Oneida Lake Sunday. Better late than never.
<p> Morning sunshine lifted Valerie’s spirits.</p>
Morning sunshine lifted Valerie’s spirits.
<p> Smallmouth fishing at Lake Oneida is sonar intensive. I’d be lost without my ‘Bird.</p>
Smallmouth fishing at Lake Oneida is sonar intensive. I’d be lost without my ‘Bird.
<p> Valerie sends a long cast over a submerged grass edge.</p>
Valerie sends a long cast over a submerged grass edge.
<p> Val starts to get into the groove.</p>
Val starts to get into the groove.
<p> Valerie’s first Oneid Lake smallmouth. A great confidence booster.</p>
Valerie’s first Oneid Lake smallmouth. A great confidence booster.
<p> I fish an offshore hump with a drop shot rig.</p>
I fish an offshore hump with a drop shot rig.
<p> Boat food.</p>
Boat food.
<p> Val stays connected with her friends throughout the practice day.</p>
Val stays connected with her friends throughout the practice day.
<p> Valerie kicks back late in the day. A few weeks ago at Lake Erie, she outfished me 2 to 1 with this snooze-and-drop technique.</p>
Valerie kicks back late in the day. A few weeks ago at Lake Erie, she outfished me 2 to 1 with this snooze-and-drop technique.
<p> Pizza. A bass angler’s staple.</p>
Pizza. A bass angler’s staple.
<p> I write my diary in camp after a day on the water. Write late, fish early.</p>
I write my diary in camp after a day on the water. Write late, fish early.