Fishing Equipment Tips
Cheap Sinkers
Spark plugs make excellent disposable sinkers. Need some cheap
(free) fishing weights? Go to any gas station and ask for them.
Then, loop a rubber band through the electrode and then tapping
the wire down the plug can be attached to a loop of monofilament.
The rubber band stretches when the plug is hung up, and even if
the extra stretching force isn’t enough to break free, the band
will break before the monofilament.
*Special Tip - An amazing secret many fishermen don't know about
is The Evening Secret. It is an amazing way of swarming fish to
your spot instantly.
http://www.eveningsecretfishing.com/specialsecret/Fishing_Equipment_Tips.php
Jig Weights
Jigs are one of the most versatile game-fish catchers in either
fresh or saltwater. It is so important to have the right weight
jig for your line weight. If the jig is too heavy for the line,
you will loose your jig far too easily. If the jig is too light
for the line, its swimming pattern will be disrupted and it won’t
be ass effective. This simple chart will help you select the
correct jig:
Line Strength Jig Size
4-lb. Test 1/16 to 1/8 oz.
6-lb. Test 1/8 to ¼ oz.
8-lb. Test ¼ to 3/8 oz.
10-lb. Test ¼ to ½ oz.
12-lb. Test 3/8 to 5/8 oz.
14 to 20-lb. Test 5/8 to ¾ oz
Treble Hook Replacement
When replacing the treble hooks on your lures, there are a few
things to consider. Chang the split ring too because it is
subject to stress and rust. Use a stainless-steel split ring for
strength. They do not spread or rust as to most of those that
come wit h the plugs. Don’t, however, use stainless steel hooks –
they are more easily bent out of shape by a fighting fish. Also,
if a fish gets away with your plug, stainless steel will not rust
out, as a plain steel hook will. Lastly, get some split-ring
pliers – they make changing your hooks easy.
Extra Springs
If you use a spinning reel, you have probably had a spring break
when the fishing gets really hot. Always carry extras (use a
35mm-film canister) – and make sure to have a little screwdriver
along as well. Practice changing it before you go out
No-slip Soles
If your winter boot soles are worn, just cut the liner to match
the sole of an old sneaker. Fasten the felt to the sneaker sole
with a non-soluble glue. Please a heavy object on top of the
sneaker overnight, and by morning you have an all purpose
non-slip shoe.
Snag-proof Spinners
Treble hooks are oftentimes “trouble” when using spinners,
causing snags. Make them snag-free by removing the treble hook
and replace with a single hook. Next thread on a three to four
inch twister-tail grub and Texas-rig it.
Downriggers
Need to drop your bait down deep? Fish are very uncooperative
creatures, and don’t always hang out near the surface. If your
depth sounder is alerting you to fish down deeper, a downrigger
can really help out.
If you aren’t exactly sure what it is, it is simple. It is a
spool holding between 200-600 feet of steel cable. There is a
weight attached that is between 6-12 pounds. Additionally there
is a quick-release line gripper, just like a clothespin.
The fishing lines from your rods are attached to the
quick-release mechanisms. Then the entire thing is dropped down
to the depth you want. The bait is far enough from the weight and
line gripper not to spook the fish. If you get a bite, the line
is released from the gripper, so it is just you and the fish!
Some downriggers have fish-attractant properties (either
electrical, or a special kind of paint), but not most of them.
Downriggers work great for deep trolling, and some even have an
electronic crank that will bring everything up. If you need to
get at deeper schools of fish, these are highly recommended.
Nail Polish Helps
Does your spoon, spinner, or plug get the paint chipped after
only a few casts? Use clear fingernail polish to protect the
paint and increase durability. Carry a bottle with you when you
are fishing, and give it a shot.
Ferrules
If there is dirt on your ferrule it can contribute to rapid wear.
Make a plug out of wood to help keep the female ferrule clean.
Is your ferrule stuck? Use “Liquid Wrench”, which you can get at
any auto-parts store. Just spray it around the male ferrule and
let it drip down. In a few minutes you will be able to pull it
apart.
Getting Out Line Tangles
Use a pair of large fabric needles to work out these tangles.
They have a smooth finish which won’t damage the line as you work
the mess out. They are also handy to sew canvas tarp, leather, or
carpet strips.
Pocket Tackle box
Attach a cord to your pocket tackle box, so you don’t worry about
dropping it in the water or leaving it behind. Just drill an
undersized hole near the back of the box and insert a small
eye-screw. A know will stop the cord from slipping through the
eye. Just put a clip on the other end so that you can secure the
rope to a belt loop or buttonhole.
Avoiding Line Twist
Line twist is the leading cause of fouled fishing. To check for
it, pull off enough line to span your outstretched hands – about
6 feet. Next, bring your hands together in front of you, causing
the line to drop into a loop. If the loop wraps around itself,
you have line twist. Remove it by trolling about 100 feet of line
behind a boat. Next install a ball-bearing swivel to prevent
future line twist.
Knots Are Key
One of the most important things in losing or landing a hooked
fish is your knot. Be certain the knot you are tying is strong
and properly tied.
To make sure, tie your usual knot and test it against other
knots. A good test is to take two four-inch sections of a broom
handle with the screw eye in the center of each. Tie a knot in
each screw eye and pull steadily until you see which knot
survives. Do it 10 times to get an average. The knot that holds
best should be your new knot.
Anchor Pulley, Keep it Quiet
If you use an anchor pulley, you risk spooking the fish as most
pulleys eventually start to squeak. Try this alternative to a
pulley:
Get a large U-bolt, a few nuts and washers, and an old-style
glass or porcelain fencepost insulator.
Slip the insulator on a U-bolt, drill a couple of holes to
accommodate the bolt, and tighten it to the mounting surface. The
anchor rope will slide freely in the insulator’s groove, and the
anchor lowers and raises as effortlessly as with a pulley,
especially once the rope is wet.
Casting Poppers
Casting poppers with a fly rod is awkward. To get better distance
bore a slightly undersized small hole in the popper, just big
enough to fit a BB in. It should fit snugly and will give you
another 30 feet of casting distance at least.
Cheap and easy depth finder
Using two felt-tipped markers (red and black) mark an anchor rope
as follows: A single red mark around the rope at five feet, a red
and black mark at 10 feet, a single red mark at 15 feet, two
black marks at 20 feet, a single red and two black marks at 25
feet and three black marks at 30. Use the color code red for
every five feet and multiples of black for 10 feet.
Netting baitfish
Increases the efficiency of your minnow scoop by putting a bend
in it. Just turn the wire handle down 90 degrees, then push the
net back on line. The forward-positioned net makes it much easier
to trap a baitfish against the inside of an open-top bucket.
A Cheap Anchor For A Fishing Boat
For holding a good-sized boat over a rocky bottom, use a large
swivel snap to fasten four fee of heavy chain to a standard
mushroom anchor. You can get one from a junkyard. The chain
boosts the anchor’s weight and holding power, provides convenient
handles for lowering and raising, and gives extra leverage when
an anchor jams in rocks or snags. When he brings it aboard, he
coils the heavy chain on a bed of old foam-rubber pads so it
doesn’t rattle around or dent his boat. In calm water, he simply
unsnaps the chain and uses the mushroom anchor by itself.
Copyright 2005 EveningSecretFishing.com Fishing
Find More Related Information
See Also:
Index of All Hunting & Fishing Articles
Index of All Sports Articles
