yellow offshores is what i use, you can slide the sping for a softer release. its all i have ever used and dont see any reason to change it for fishing around here.
John, I'd stick with those OR-10 (yellow) -- I got a bunch from FishUSA with a link provided by Grey Ghost. Adrien's post late last year on the problems with the Lauvericks cinched it for me. Like Fishless said, I like the fact you can adjust the tension easily.
Cal - unfortunately I won't make the gathering as I'm leaving for France the saturday before to give a paper at a conference...of course the family "volunteered" to join me.
So my guess for ice out? April 13th. Feeling a global warming trend coming on.
Of course down here in NY I may have a couple open lakes close to April 1st, ready to be attacked when I get home.