Originally posted by: sscasteel on 2/13/2006 7:53:28 AM

Recently I bought and received a tackle box off EBAY, each lure had the treble hooks covered with a Q-tip like end as a protector, acting as a hook bonnet.

The person had bought the $ Dollar store EL Cheapo Q-tips with the hollow plastic shaft, and cut off each end just under the cotton ball, sticking them on treble hooks. They pulled off easily and went back on easily even after being used.

A cheap hook protector for sure.

After seeing this I wonder, Can a person say slide a gold aberdeen hook through one of the ends?
Maybe place a hollow tube jig on a lead head then thread one of the Q-tip ends up inside the tube, not only should hold it in place, but make a great place to squirt some kind of Fishing scent on the cotton ball too.??

BROKEN OFF SCREWS in Reels //Esp. older baitcasters.

I have found that by using a narrow blade Ex-acto knife one can push the front narrow blade egde into the screw and working the edge of the hole, sometimes back the screw out with ease, or may have to be a little aggressive with pressure to start it.

I was recently able to remove a broken off screw in an Ambassadeur 5000D, an Ambassadeur 7000, and a Pflueger Supreme by doing this.

Some screws are tight jammed etc. // Try using a cigarette lighter & heat the area the screw is in [usually a small shaft] heat a good 60 seconds, then put the Ex-acto knife blade in and try backing out. The Heat should loosen the screw some. Again you may need to add a little pressure to get the screw started.

Once you get the screw head out of the hole a little. you can take the knife blade and turn it sideways up agaisnt the screw and with a little pressure push against the screw and easy the blade backward, this will roll the screw out a little more, and now using finger nail clippers, grasp the broken screw and hold firm, now turn the reel with your other hand until screw is out. Replace with an exact replacement screw.

BAND AID's, Black Electrical tape and Duct tape.

I recently found a rod with a ceramic ring rod tip and guide broken out, but the frames were solid. Around each one someone had cut into small strips pieces of band aids and wrapped around the metal rings completely, little by little strip.
I looked at this, then it dawned on me. This person used the band aids as a cushion to protect their line from rubbing and fraying on the metal frame in an emergency situation.

NEAT'O IDEA = if that was all one had to fix a tip or guide with no replacement handy.
I suspect one could use black electrical tape, or duct tape the same way, and these latter two tapes in an emergency, will hold a rod guide on a rod should one ever destroy the guide holding thread.

FOR LOOSE RODS IN A HANDLE. Or two piece rod Ferrules.

There is a product in Hardware stores called TITE Chairs. This product is designed to be used to tighten up joints and holes on wooden chairs and solidify and tighten in seconds.

Why not fishing rods / ferrules too?

Each gets a lot of movement. I haven't had a rod come in yet to try this idea, but it should work as this stuff acts like a Super Glue, but more for pressurized usage.