Everyone has little things they do to make their fishing day better. Maybe you can list one or two of them for all to see.Thanks
I always have super glue on board ,mainly to glue plastics onto jig heads. They stay put and last longer. Iv`e been doing this for over 25 years now.The glue can be used to repair certain torn plastics too.
If something is really important that you need to take on a trip,put your vehicle keys in or on it.
This may be helpful in your latter years.
C22
Lets hear your tip.
Bring extra boat plugs.
De-barb treble hooks.
Bring a spare spool of line-backlashes can ruin a whole spool.
No lure color will ruin the appetite of a feeding bass.
No lure color will give an inactive bass an appetite.
On 2/27/2015 at 9:19 AM, RoLo said:No lure color will destroy the appetite of a feeding bass.
No lure color will give an inactive bass an appetite.
Don't start this
My tip of the day is to put leaders on braid because bass can see it.
Aaaaand go!
Set out the knipex hook cutters and show the guy I am fishing with where they are.
Show my boat partner how to put in a waypoint on the lowrance.
don't let the bait monkey ruin your marriage
Use a lighter to "cut" really heavy braid, it's alot easier than carrying around braid scissors or a knife.
lol @ putting your keys on stuff..... when i go on a fishing trip, i typically stash some drinks and snacks in the fridge the night before. i then write a note to remind me of the food and drinks and put my keys on that note.... ridiculous i know, but it beats getting on the lake to realize i've left my goodies at home!
aside from that, my tip is to wear a life jacket and always let someone know where you're going.
On 2/27/2015 at 9:28 AM, everythingthatswims said:My tip of the day is to put leaders on braid because bass can see it.
Aaaaand go!
A leader is necessary with braided line...If you believe it is
(The Odd Couple: Alabama rig+fluorocarbon leader)
one other crucial tip that i learned on a recent outing...... if you plan on using a battery to power your fish finder in the kayak, you should probably make certain you re-charged the battery from the last couple outings.....
Just don't forget your PFD, and your tackle.
On 2/27/2015 at 9:55 AM, buzzed bait said:one other crucial tip that i learned on a recent outing...... if you plan on using a battery to power your fish finder in the kayak, you should probably make certain you re-charged the battery from the last couple outings.....
Or a battery in anything for that matter. Got to the lake with a buddy one morning and he hadn't charged the batteries. 2 hour round trip back home to get a spare and we were finally on the water.
On 2/27/2015 at 10:17 AM, DarrenM said:Just don't forget your PFD, and your tackle.
darren, as a kayak guy you can appreciate this one..... never leave your kayak seat at home!!!! i drove about 1h15min to the lake once to realize i had no seat for my sit in kayak i had at the time. it was impossible to fish without the seat so my day was pretty much ruined!!
On 2/27/2015 at 10:18 AM, scyounggun said:Or a battery in anything for that matter. Got to the lake with a buddy one morning and he hadn't charged the batteries. 2 hour round trip back home to get a spare and we were finally on the water.
yeah it was a sickening feeling just for the fish finder..... i can only imagine the batteries to power the boat!!!!!
On 2/27/2015 at 10:20 AM, buzzed bait said:darren, as a kayak guy you can appreciate this one..... never leave your kayak seat at home!!!! i drove about 1h15min to the lake once to realize i had no seat for my sit in kayak i had at the time. it was impossible to fish without the seat so my day was pretty much ruined!!
Indeed, I can appreciate it!
I have both left my PFD AND my tackle
at home before!!
Made for a "not much to do" trip that day,
if it weren't for my wife brining them to me!
Never trust a fart
On 2/27/2015 at 10:34 AM, bassinnoobie said:Never trust a fart
Or pass a rest room without attempting to empty your bladder. You never know how long it will be before you have another opportunity.
Always have a pair of side cutters within reach. Attempting to locate them when a fish is hooked on one treble and your hand is hooked to the other will teach you this the hard way
On 2/27/2015 at 9:49 AM, RoLo said:A leader is necessary with braided line...If you believe it is
(The Odd Couple: Alabama rig+fluorocarbon leader)
Ask Matt Allen about leaders with A-rigs when using braid
I have had experiences with straight braid vs braid w/leader that will keep me using leaders for as long as I fish. Of course I won't fish a leader when fishing heavy slop etc but you get the idea
Don't brag to your boss, best friend, lover, on how great the fishing is on your honey hole. You can take it from there
Find the fish, it's makes for a more fun day.
On 2/27/2015 at 9:19 AM, RoLo said:No lure color will ruin the appetite of a feeding bass.
No lure color will give an inactive bass an appetite.
Rolo, I believe you, but I can't count the number of times that I have found active bass, the instant I change lure colors. In the same place they were inactive before I changed colors.
Hootie
Make sure you have the trailer locked onto the ball hitch. Make sure to always run your motor at least 5 min before you leave the house. Keep your toilet paper in a plastic bag!!!!
Tip of the day:
This is a great thread. Keep it alive.
Hootie
never leave the house without your jig box or a first aid kit.
On 2/27/2015 at 5:10 PM, blackmax135 said:Make sure you have the trailer locked onto the ball hitch. Make sure to always run your motor at least 5 min before you leave the house. Keep your toilet paper in a plastic bag!!!!
Pro tip right there!
Unhook the transom straps from the trailer before launching. This will save you some embarrassment .
On 2/27/2015 at 9:49 AM, RoLo said:A leader is necessary with braided line...If you believe it is
(The Odd Couple: Alabama rig+fluorocarbon leader)
I like the leader as I always have a full spool of line...unless of coarse I cast out a loop of braid and it forms a knot.
(many fishermen....many ways)
Don't forget the boat. Yeah, 45 minutes into an hour and a half trip.
Know how to get back into your boat from the water in case you decide to take an unplanned swim. Bass boats in particular can be difficult to get back into from the water.
Figuring it out on purpose on a hot summer day is much better than trying to learn unexpectedly on a cold day. Fortunately, I've never fallen in..But if I do, I know exactly how to get out quickly if the shoreline is not an option.
ALWAYS.....bring a roll of toilet paper with you!
On 2/27/2015 at 8:37 PM, Crestliner2008 said:ALWAYS.....bring a roll of toilet paper with you!
Or an extra t shirt .
Have a spare everything
Guys, never pee over the side with motor running & in gear. If you go over it could be a long swim. Actually, when I think that over ,girls shouldn`t do that either.
Crescent Wrench - ChannelLocks - Screw Driver - Duct Tape!
great tips! Some good fishing tips and some good tips to make sure it's a good day of fishing.
Here's my fishing tip (you've all probably heard this before though seeing as I learned from you guys to begin with):
(edit: this is all wrong!!)
High visibility (clear water, sunny days), bass will be tight to cover. Consider pitching.
Low visibility (murky water, overcast), bass will be looser to cover and could be roaming, moving baits like spinnerbaits, crankbaits, buzzbaits, swimbaits
(edit: it should be if fish are tight to cover, consider pitching, if they are out roaming, moving baits.. see Bob Izumi's seminar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZHHsQ261s4#t=87)
Here's my good day of fishing tip:
Know how to get a hook out of your skin in case something happens.
Here's my "have another good day of fishing" tip:
Always pitch in for the gas when a buddy brings you on his boat
1. After being stuck in the everglades because of engine problems, I always take twice as much water as I think I will need. Can't live long without clean water.
2. Always wear a PFD when fishing alone. Its a good idea to always wear it regardless.
3. Never go fishing without telling a loved one exactly where you are going, and when you will be back.
On 2/27/2015 at 10:45 PM, DocNsanE said:High visibility (clear water, sunny days), bass will be tight to cover. Consider pitching.
Low visibility (murky water, overcast), bass will be looser to cover and could be roaming, moving baits like spinnerbaits, crankbaits, buzzbaits, swimbaits
I think you have that backwards. Bass are primarily sight feeders. Even though they have a lateral line containing sensory organs, the bass mainly uses its keen sense of sight when feeding. In clear water, it can see a considerable distance and will forage along weedlines, ledges and other structural edges looking for a meal. But in muddy water, it can’t see nearly as well and won’t wander far from a home base, usually an object like a stump or log.
Never pull your big boat & motor thru isolated sections of State Roads when you have a sick Gall bladder... ( absolutely no place to pull off )
After 15 more miles don't duck your truck & big boat into a abandon mining area, finally, always, always, ensure you have a full pack of Toilet paper with you, because one wasn't nearly enough..
The End...
Listen to yourself...Trust your instincts...Don't worry about what you see others do...Remember that dock talk is a just a few guys talking on a dock...
Most of alL...Use what you've learned, and learn from what you used.
Mike
On 2/27/2015 at 10:54 PM, roadwarrior said:I think you have that backwards. Bass are primarily sight feeders. Even though they have a lateral line containing sensory organs, the bass mainly uses its keen sense of sight when feeding. In clear water, it can see a considerable distance and will forage along weedlines, ledges and other structural edges looking for a meal. But in muddy water, it can’t see nearly as well and won’t wander far from a home base, usually an object like a stump or log.
d**n now that you mention it you're right, I do know that murky water fish will be tighter to cover. I was trying to quote from the Bob Izumi's Fishing Seminar that was recently posted to the forums. Here's the link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZHHsQ261s4#t=88
But I misquoted it... he was basically saying bright sunny blue bird day, bass will be tight to cover, but if it's windy and blowing, the fish are not tight to cover and it's a good time to use a moving bait. I guess I erroneously extrapolated that "high visibility = tight to cover and lower visibility = roaming".
I'll go ahead and edit my original message. Thanks for pointing it out!
Here are a few tips I've accumulated over the years.
In the truck, carry a tool kit that will let you loosen or tighten any fastener on the truck. Fuses, jumper cables, drag strap, air compressor have all been necessary from time to time.
Same goes for tool kit in boat.
Boat plugs are cheap. The 1" size is nearly universal. Have a couple of spares. That might help you save some one else's fishing trip.
Trailer bearings fail most of the time because you are sloppy on your regular maintenance. Not to say that they don't just randomly fail from time to time, but most often they fail because of a lack of routine maintenance.
In my fishing truck I carry several changes of clothes, appropriate to the weather. Especially in the summer time, a clean set of shirt & shorts make the drive home more comfortable, compared to driving home in your dirty, sweaty stuff.
The aforementioned tip about knowing how to get back into your boat should you fall out is a good one. Make a point to practice this sometime this summer.
Handi-wipes are better than toilet paper. They store easier in the boat because they come in their own weather resistant packaging. Don't be a jerk and only carry enough hand-wipes for yourself. If you are on site and able to offers hand-wipes at the appropriate moment, you'll make a friend for life.
There's lots more, but that's enough for now.
Same Tip of the Day, Everyday.
Turn Off That @#$%& Phone!
Before you even get in the truck to head toward the lake, consider every negative that is outside of your control, plan for it the best you can, give yourself one sentence to cuss about it to your partner if you absolutely must vent, and then don't complain about it for the rest of the day.
Is it going to be particularly windy that day? Okay. You can't change that. You know it's coming. Why let it bug you all day?
A big cold front has moved in? Dress appropriately. Think about how the front will impact the fish. Try some tactics you've learned about bassresource.com.
Are there going to be a lot of jet skis and ski boats running back and forth all day? Alright. You don't own the lake. That comes with the territory.
Focus on getting better at fishing in conditions that are less than ideal. If you can't possibly enjoy the experience in those conditions, stay home.
Keep a 3 foot length of weed eater string in the boat to clear out the water stream out of your engine if needed. Just thread it in the outake and clear any obstruction.
My Wife's kitchen scissors are as good as any at cutting braid.
Put a plastic sandwich bag on a gulp jar before closing it. It will stop any leaks.
I know what every guide & Pro's boat looks like, when they are the cafe, gas pump, or launch I stroll by noticing what they have tied on.
If they have it tied on it works
1. Check and double check that your anchor knot is tied and actually tight
2. Double check your line knots after each fish
3. ALWAYS wear a PFD
4. Don't forget your sunglasses
On 2/28/2015 at 3:35 AM, Catt said:I know what every guide & Pro's boat looks like, when they are the cafe, gas pump, or launch I stroll by noticing what they have tied on.
If they have it tied on it works
That's professional advice!
Pack an extra trolling motor prop, a few spare shear pins and the tools to effect the repair some where in your vessel.
You may never need either but chances are, if you need one, you'll be needing the other.
It'll save the day.
And carry a flash light & spare batteries in your truck.
A-Jay
On 2/28/2015 at 3:35 AM, Catt said:I know what every guide & Pro's boat looks like, when they are the cafe, gas pump, or launch I stroll by noticing what they have tied on.
If they have it tied on it works
The lures tied on while fishing, may be very different from the lures dangling at the dock
Roger
Fishing too fast in the winter because you are impatient is like not fishing at all!
On 2/28/2015 at 6:09 AM, everythingthatswims said:Fishing too fast in the winter because you are impatient is like not fishing at all!
Very true.
A winning winter retrieve is: "Twitch - Pause - Pause | Twitch - Pause - Pause"
On 2/28/2015 at 6:26 AM, RoLo said:That is true.
A winning winter retrieve is: "Twitch - Pause - Pause - Twitch - Pause - Pause"
Up here when the water is in the 30s it's more like Pause-Pause-Pause-Pause-Pause
Jealous of you Florida guys
On 2/28/2015 at 6:28 AM, everythingthatswims said:Up here when the water is in the 30s it's more like Pause-Pause-Pause-Pause-Pause
Jealous of you Florida guys
It's a funny thing, but 'winter' is a relative term.
Frankly, I *** you boys in the temperature zone who are dealing with northern-strain bass.
Although Florida-strain bass are extremely heat-tolerant, in water temperatures below 65 degrees
these mollycoddles are indolent snobs
Roger
Word of the day:
indolent
Yup ,Iv`e met those kind of fish too.
On 2/27/2015 at 5:10 PM, blackmax135 said:Make sure you have the trailer locked onto the ball hitch. Make sure to always run your motor at least 5 min before you leave the house. Keep your toilet paper in a plastic bag!!!!
Great tip! Lol
Well I haven't seen this one and thankfully haven't had this problem. But some I know have. Fishing trip+ long hours= Preparation H! Could cut a trip short if its bad lol. And I know some out there know lol
On 2/28/2015 at 6:50 AM, RoLo said:It's a funny thing, but 'winter' is a relative term.
Frankly, I *** you boys in the temperature zone who are dealing with northern-strain bass.
Although Florida-strain bass are extremely heat-tolerant, in water temperatures below 65 degrees
these mollycoddles are indolent snobs
Roger
Even though it is often said that northern strain bass handle cold weather well, the truth is... they do not.
On 2/28/2015 at 8:38 AM, Weld said:Even though it is often said that northern strain bass handle cold weather well, the truth is... they do not.
Most of my years have been spent chasing northern-strain bass (between Ontario and Georgia)
A passing cold-front will generally knockdown fishing for a day or so,
but by the 2nd day and certainly by the 3rd day, northern-strain bass are back on the feed.
When a major cold-front hits central Florida, it typically causes lockjaw for several days
and during persistent cold weather, the doldrums can last a week or more.
This past Tuesday, a small local tournament was held on Tiger Lake, right after
the water temp dipped from 69 to 61 deg. Twelve anglers fished 6 hours to land 4 bass!
KVD has fished all over the USA and stated that Florida is the toughest state he's fished,
particularly during the coldwater period (I concur).
Roger
On 2/28/2015 at 9:22 AM, RoLo said:Most of my years have been spent chasing northern-strain bass (between Ontario and Georgia)
A passing cold-front will generally knockdown fishing for a day or so,
but by the 2nd day and certainly by the 3rd day, northern-strain bass are back on the feed.
When a major cold-front hits central Florida, it typically causes lockjaw for several days
and during persistent cold weather, the doldrums can last a week or more.
This past Tuesday, a small local tournament was held on Tiger Lake, right after
the water temp dipped from 69 to 61 deg. Twelve anglers fished 6 hours to land 4 bass!
KVD has fished all over the USA and stated that Florida is the toughest state he's fished,
particularly during the coldwater period (I concur).
Roger
At least you have open water
I make sure I bring my dog Louie. He doesn't complain about my boat positioning, laugh when I get hit by my own punch rig missing a bite, or even care if we're getting skunked. Come to think of it, neither do I as much if he's on board. We always can chat about something else.
When fishing with any trebile hook baits, always assume the fish will give one more good shake as you try to lip him. Use caution and don't get complacent. It only takes one to turn a great day of fishing into a trip to the ER.
when unloading and tying your boat up by yourself make sure the rope is TIED to the bow eye. If you bring a 4 legged family member with you [ I always do] make sure to bring lots of fresh water in a bowl with a lid. If you bring a two legged female with you always make sure you know where the restrooms are at. No matter how much I try to talk her into it, my wife wont just hang it over the side of the boat.
Going to sleep early each night, and waking up late each morning will bring spring here just a little faster:)
19 days to go
Always organize your gear before a trip. And remember to Keep it simple and minimal. One plano box with the basics in arms reach can go a long way.
A small drop of solder will keep umbrella rig snaps from opening. Also prevents losing spinnerbait swivels and blades.
Swings are free, if youre not swinging youre missing.
Slow down
I am terrible at explaining things but here goes.
To make a regular jig head weedless in a pinch. Push the point of the hook through the head of a soft plastic. make a loop in the line and snag it with the barb and pull it through the lure. Then tie the jig to the line. Now slide the plastic down onto the eye and texas rig it. Its real simple if my directions make since .
it will look like this
Edited: Forgot to mention that it needs to be pegged .
I Always Carry A Few Walmart Bags With Me.
1. When Fishing From My Boat , If I See Trash I'll Pick It Up , If I Snag Any Fishing Line , I Try To Pull As Much As I Can To Remove It From The Water.
2. If I Decide To Shore Fish , Same Rules Apply , It Just Kills Me When People leave There Trash , Line & Hooks On The Ground. There Are Always Wildlife , Young Kids , Pets & People Walking Barefoot.
Mike
Always bring something to drink (non-alcoholic is preferred)
When you pull up to the ramp and get out to get the boat ready, put the plug in first every time!
Get the bunks wet first when pulling the boat out.
Boca Grips will save a trip to the ER.
During your day fishing, stop, look around and realize how good you have it!
In the warmer months I bring a swimsuit with me to change into it so if I have to jump into the water while trailering the boat I won't get my clothes wet and ride home uncomfortable.
I change out of it by the boat. So far, no one has pointed and laughed.
On 3/2/2015 at 2:06 AM, Crank Bait Nut said:I Always Carry A Few Walmart Bags With Me.
1. When Fishing From My Boat , If I See Trash I'll Pick It Up , If I Snag Any Fishing Line , I Try To Pull As Much As I Can To Remove It From The Water.
2. If I Decide To Shore Fish , Same Rules Apply , It Just Kills Me When People leave There Trash , Line & Hooks On The Ground. There Are Always Wildlife , Young Kids , Pets & People Walking Barefoot.
Mike
My rule/tip also: Always pack out more than you pack in. One inconsiderate lazy fisherman makes us all look bad.
This is the best spinnerbait/chatterbait holder I have found. $1.99 at Walmart or Kmart and holds up to 25 spinner and chatterbaits. It's a CD holder.
1--Both my camera and GPS use two AA batteries. I keep a spare set of AA batteries in the boat.
2--I have an inboard gas tank and gas gauge, but I always carry an extra gallon of gas.
3--I make a list of items I need to do the night before I go fishing.
4--I leave a note on the fridge where I'll be launching the boat.
5--I have a list of items to check after I connect my boat trailer to my truck.
6--Never speed.
On 3/2/2015 at 2:06 AM, Crank Bait Nut said:I Always Carry A Few Walmart Bags With Me.
1. When Fishing From My Boat , If I See Trash I'll Pick It Up , If I Snag Any Fishing Line , I Try To Pull As Much As I Can To Remove It From The Water.
2. If I Decide To Shore Fish , Same Rules Apply , It Just Kills Me When People leave There Trash , Line & Hooks On The Ground. There Are Always Wildlife , Young Kids , Pets & People Walking Barefoot.
Mike
I carry one bag for the bigger stuff, and one 3lb coffee can for the rest.
Cutting a hole in the lid, I toss ABC worms, cigarette butts, and all the little stuff in it which is much better than throwing it overboard. An inch or so of water in the bottom of the can will extinguish those butts too!
I learned this tip from a former FLW coangler:
To help stop backlashing, put your hook on a tree and walk off a full cast and then a little more. Put some tape across the spool. Wind it back in. The backlash won't build from the core of the reel, and won't be as much of a nightmare.
Never take a sleeping pill and a laxative at the same time.
On 3/3/2015 at 10:16 PM, .ghoti. said:Never take a sleeping pill and a laxative at the same time.
That's along the same lines of........when on the boat all day for fishing, don't eat granola bars and drink apple cider
If your soft plastics aren't swimming true, or have spent all winter bunched up in the bag and the boot tail is all crooked on little swimbaits, put them in some hot water for a few seconds and straighten them out, allowing them to dry before storing them carefully again.
Fluekmaster had a video on this from what I recall but I can't seem to find it
On 3/3/2015 at 5:57 AM, Sam said:In the warmer months I bring a swimsuit with me to change into it so if I have to jump into the water while trailering the boat I won't get my clothes wet and ride home uncomfortable.
I change out of it by the boat. So far, no one has pointed and laughed.
At your Senko...
In the winter time... don't eat the yellow snow...
On 3/3/2015 at 11:18 PM, Preytorien said:That's along the same lines of........when on the boat all day for fishing, don't eat granola bars and drink apple cider
Stay way from fig bars too.Night mare story there for me.
Put 2 or 3 silica gel packs in your lure boxes to keep your hooks from rusting. It is an inexpensive way to keep rust at bay.
https://www.google.com/?client=safari&channel=ipad_bm#q=silica+gel+packets&channel=ipad_bm&tbm=shop&spd=15777240224497947756
On 2/28/2015 at 3:27 AM, Bassguytom said:Keep a 3 foot length of weed eater string in the boat to clear out the water stream out of your engine if needed. Just thread it in the outake and clear any obstruction.
My Wife's kitchen scissors are as good as any at cutting braid.
Put a plastic sandwich bag on a gulp jar before closing it. It will stop any leaks.
Oh my! I used my wife's kitchen shears a few times. When she found me sitting in the boat with her shears cutting fishing line........well you can imagine the response.