I used the tattle flags. Made my own. Use #32 rubber bands, not springs. Yes you will break a very few rubber bands each year. But when you can get a bag for cheap and it is enough to last years. The rubber bands have unlimited tension settings. When set right, the flag will let you know when you have a perch/small fish on or even weeds. Or when a fish is playing with the bait, which allows you to feed the bait to them and catching alot more fish. For under $2/board why not. Snip a small "V" with side cutters at the top hole location to hold the rubber band in any position you place the rubber band. Couple examples.





Also the rubber bands have alot of other uses holding things closed, together etc.