Originally posted by: davesett2000 on 3/22/2006 9:00:18 PM
Last year the Eds had run a Topic thread for Member Tips. This is a consolidation of those...I have left the individual contributers' names and dates....just edited out the "banter" type stuff. Enjoy!
Unique and valuable tips of any kind are welcomed and encouraged. Do you have a special method to modify lures that makes them run deeper, straighter or with more action? Have you come up with a boat rigging idea that makes fishing more fun or efficient? Perhaps your tip will save other members time and/or money.
Let us hear about it by replying to this post, or better still, by emailing it to: editors@fishingclub.com. Or, you can send it via U.S. Mail to: NAFC Fishing Club Journal, P.O. Box 3403, Minnetonka, MN 55343-2103.
gonecatfishin Posted October 09, 2004 08:35 AM
Often times I find myself wanting to fish a deep hole or outside bend on one of the rivers around here, but since my boat is gone, I have to walk to the spot. I have rigged up a "Lil Red Wagon" with pontoons. The pontoons are simply 8" PVC with end caps. They run the length of the wagon and will quite easily float my tackle, my bait, my little cooler. With the wagon and a pair of chest waders, I am able me to walk in the river, towing my gear behind me floating lazily along.
This allows me to get to places for shore fishing that are otherwise inaccessible due to trees, bluffs, etc.
PAPPADIDDY Posted October 09, 2004 10:23 AM
HEY GONECATFISHING; SOUNDS AS THOUGH YOU MAY HAVE A POSSIBLE RONCO PRODUCT THERE. MAYBE YOU SHOULD DEVELOPE IT INTO A PRODUCT FOR THE FISHERMAN WITHOUT A BOAT. I THINK THATS HOW BILL GATES GOT STARTED!!! YOU NEVER KNOW! GONE CATFISHING WATER TAXI...
Mother Nature Posted October 14, 2004 10:08 PM
You can attach the license plate on your boat trailer with a stainless steel hinge. It will keep the license plate from bending when you pull your trailer in and out of the water and the stainless steel hinge won't rust.
WalleyeWayne Posted October 15, 2004 05:10 AM
But won’t a hinged plate flap up & down when trailering down the highway?
Mother Nature Posted October 15, 2004 06:01 AM
I don't think so, just make sure you use one that is heavy enough to hold the plate... but then again there is always a chance if you are moving fast enough for anything to happen
LIPRIPPER Posted October 16, 2004 09:51 AM
Ok here is something EYE learned the hard way.
When fishing for Kitty-Kats from the bank (or you could use it from a boat also) drill a hole through the handle of your rod and attach a small chain or one of those big strong stringers through the hole and stick it in the ground for security and to keep from losing your pole when one of them big ol Kitty-Kats decide to take off with it Even if ya have it in a rod holder don't think it's safe because I had this very thing happen to me. I was fishing from the bank and had my pole in a rod holder fishing with shad guts and if ya do much catfishing you know how them ol Kitty-Kats love to ya by playing with your line back and forth back and forth then they leave it alone so you think they stopped biting when all of a sudden WHAM away they go Well ya would think you be safe with it in the holder and all Well guess again That big ol Kitty-Kat took off and there went my pole right into the water Yelp it bent that holder like it was nothing. So that's why ya need extra security
silversalmon Posted October 16, 2004 02:01 PM
Okay, here is question to all of us spinning fisherman, have you ever tried fly fishing, well, I have and scared myself half to death . I came up with an alternative to it, and it works on any fly eating fish. Get yourself a clear torpedo bobber and tie it to your line. Then, take some light weight fly line and tie it to the other side of the bobber about 18-24 inches works great. Tie your fly on the end of that and let her drift down the river , if I cannot find the color of the day, this alternative has proven its weight in gold same as fly fishing without all of the um, well for me, attempting to cast myself into the river
silversalmon Posted October 16, 2004 02:05 PM
Have another, to all those that fish for Coho salmon from the shore in salt water. Are you sick of losing lures that run 5 bucks a piece, I know I was. This is what I do now and catch my limit everytime I fish for those lovely, tasty, gorgeous, damn, sorry tangent. Anyway, but a bobber on that line and set the hook 18 inches under with a chunk of herring, never fails. The good thing is you can get your own herring so all you have to get are the bobbers, well and the beer
gonecatfishin Posted October 18, 2004 07:56 PM
Cutbait for Salmon! LOL
I got yelled at one day cuz I was catching LMB on cutbait haha.
Mother Nature Posted October 19, 2004 07:25 AM
Ok I have one... It probably isn't new but is always a great reminder...
If you are new to fishing or new to using a baitcaster you will want to practice before you get out on the water and spend all day fussing with backlashes... Solution: Tie on a lure that has the hooks removed. Visit your back yard and make some practice casts. Once you can cast without getting a backlash you will want to loosen up the spool tension and get the best cast you can out of that lure. Make sure you take it slow because now your bait will fly and so will the spool. Once you have a good distance you can use an old bucket for a target or even the dogs water dish. Then get a smaller target as you improve your casting abilities.
The fun part starts when you add a chair to that practice. Some of us fish out of boats and when you are in a boat it is a lot different casting than when you are on the bank so adding a chair will help you with the difference in height.
flyman Posted October 19, 2004 09:11 PM
Here's a good one for fly tiers, instead of using heavy mono for weed guards on your flies try using a piece of larva lace tubing. It's small diameter lets you tie it in at the head of the fly and place the other end over the hook point. When a fish hits it gives way and all you do is replace it over the point of the hooks and start fishing again. I never missed a fish yet using this method, and it keeps the weeds off better than mono weed guards.
Musky Fishin Kevin Posted October 31, 2004 04:21 PM
Mine concerns several aspects of Musky fishing. Lately you hear many Musky Fisherman, including some popular guides.. Saying stuff about Figure 8's for following fish.. What they are saying as of late is don't waste your time unless you see a fish following, only do a "J" or "L" next to the boat.. What many of these people seem to be missing is the fish that comes up by the boat but out of site and is hanging underneath the boat, this fish may not appear with a "L" or "J".. However this fish may suddenly appear out of no where if you do a customary figure 8(for me this entails at least two full 8's). As for how exactly you do your figure 8 that can depend on many things… especially the type of lure you are using.. Sometimes I do a "True" 8...in other words in the exact shape of a 8.. Other times all I do is a very large circle (always try and keep your turns wide as you are chasing a fish that grows upwards of 60 inches.. Nice sharp turns she can't make... Big wide ones can be what it takes to keep her interested.. Some lures can be fig. 8'd with tip out of the water...some work better with the tip in the water. I have fished with some guides who insist that out of the water works best.. I have caught multiple with tip in the water myself. Sudden movements, shouting, rocking the boat, stomping your feet are all things that may spook a following Musky during the Fig 8. One last thing I am adamant about in my boat when it comes to Musky and figure 8's is color choice of your clothing, yep, you read that correctly.. Your favorite red shirt...yellow one.. bright orange one...etc... Not good.. What's your Background? Lots of trees(green), high blue sky(blues), cloudy(grey and tan)... For whatever reason Black and Brown seem to also work in most conditions, but are not my first choice. I also feel this color thing applies to rain gear.. I can't believe how many people I see out fishing in the rain wearing bright yellow, blaze orange, or red.. its raining out, the sky doesn't look like that.. Blue is a better choice but definitely not the best.. I prefer Grey and Green.. Green may not be the best either, but usually there are some trees near the shoreline I am fishing by..
sscasteel Posted December 10, 2004 12:53 PM
If you need some cheap bait for yourself or to put on little kids poles for Perch and Blue Gill, get a sack of macaroni and place several pieces in water until it becomes fairly soft. Then thread it onto a small bait holder hook or a # 6 or #8 unsnelled gold Aberdeen hook. Either use the weight of the hook and bait or a small bobber to toss out with or drop straight down off a dock & No sinker, let it sink naturally. Fish of all types, not having seen this before think it is a bug and grab/suck it in.
A small twister grub with tail damages can become a piece of bug looking bait as well. Pull the body into small pieces, thread onto small hooks and let them sink naturally under their own weight.
I have cleaned many fish, [ mostly Perch, Blue Gill, but a few LMB, Catfish, and Crappie, also] and sent them to the frying pan, thanks to their curiosity, dropping any caution to the wind, and their hunger for these strange baits.
sscasteel Posted December 10, 2004 01:00 PM
A cheap and in-expensive hook holder for your rod can be made from a small single foot guide [with or without a ceramic ring in it] off a damaged fishing rod or a snake guide off a fly rod. Scotch tape the guide on the pole where you want it and wrap tight with sewing thread. Then Superglue the thread all around the rod. A clear nail polish can be used after Superglue is dry to make a better than rough looking outer coating.
sscasteel Posted December 10, 2004 01:11 PM
For fast replacement of a damaged single foot ceramic guide, first find an almost, if not matching replacement with the ceramic ring. Heat the broken guide with a cigarette lighter. when the metal frame starts to turn red. grab the damaged guide with a pair of pliers [needle nose best] pull the old guide out, then real fast, replace the new one back into the hole made from the old guide, The exterior coating and thread usually will not be hurt if any. Use the pliers if needed, to get the guide back in 100%. By hand, Line the guide up straight with all the other guides then drip several drops of Superglue at the back and around the foot of the guide. Most of the time the Superglue will seep right in and dry within 60 seconds. Rod is then ready to use again.
davesett2000 Posted December 10, 2004 02:50 PM
If you have a tackle box that is missing dividers, and you can't get them from the manufacturer, you can cut pieces out from old plastic coffee can lids or some types of CD / cassette tape holders. You can ALSO cut out pieces from PRINGLES can top or frosting can tops, old Tupperware and similar things...
If it's a Plano box....they usually carry replacements...
I don't know about Flambeau... I've never had to replace any in one of their boxes...
ouachitabassangler Posted December 11, 2004 04:22 PM
I made my own rod holder attached to the front of the console. I tried a commercial rod holder but it was too small and wasted space, and the next size up was too long.
I screwed a cheap Stanley Storage Clip strip horizontally across the console about 18" off the floor. It comes in various lengths, mine having five metal clamps that can slide along a track. Next I glued some 1.5" PVC tees together with a 90 degree elbow at one end for an extra socket for the rod handle, each tee turned up to provide more sockets to hold the butts. I left the other end open to permit drainage, then screwed that assembly to the console at the floor. I cut pieces of 1" plastic tubing to fit over the metal clamp jaws, boiled them about 20 seconds to soften, then slipped them on to pad the rods. It works well enough I can trailer the rods in the clamps. No more rods being stepped on. Rods are pre-rigged for different opportunities and easily snatched for a quick change of casting plans.
Next I'll put a similar rig along the side for a partner.
ouachitabassangler Posted December 17, 2004 05:35 AM
I read recently about using old sparkplugs to retreive a hung bait and just wanted to report it works really well. Put the anode over the line, mash it down on the cathode, and let it down. Doodle it around to lossen the bait, bringing it and the plug back up.
sscasteel Posted December 17, 2004 08:25 AM
My father and I have used the Spark plug method for years [1970's] on tube jig lead heads and feathered jigs and it really works. We however use a regular sized Paper clip attached to the plug and slip the line into the center section of the clip. Try to get as straight up/down over your bait as possible and drop it. KEEP YOUR LINE SOLID, NO SLACK... Plug slides down to bait and you feel a knock. Lower your rod a small amount and usually the leadhead is free. Bring in the bait, take off the plug, re-straighten you bait and fish again. IF NOT, raise your rod fast and get the line tight and then lower up/down and most of the time the hook comes loose.
We keep a few pre built plugs in a can in the boat or a couple in the tackle box.
As my father and I are "die hard" Crappie fishermen, and fish in LOTS of brush and trees we get hung up often. This plug method can save you from re-tying 50-70% of the time and over a years time, I figure we save at least $124.00 in lead heads or feathered jigs alone.
sscasteel Posted December 17, 2004 08:44 AM
I love to fish around rocky areas, Esp. for Crappie and Walleye below Reservoir Dams. While fishing these Rip-Rap areas with [2] jigs feathered or tube, You get hung up now and then between rocks when fishing too close to the bottom.
To get loose, I reel my line up snug and holding my rod high, pull the line in front of the reel until the rod is bent tight [like fighting a real pulling fish] I then release the line and lower the rod forward in almost the same motion. This creates a backward SNAP LIKE motion sending it back down the line to the hung up bait between [2] rocks. The lead head then jumps backward enough to come free. Reel it in fast, or reel in still fishing, back to the bank.
THIS TAKES PRACTICE.. to get down pat, and you may have to do this 1-7 times before success. [7] times on a real hard hook set into the rocks. After [7] times I usually break the line and re-tie. You can get your lead head back up to 50-60% of the time.
BE PREPARED.. to set the hook after getting your leadhead free. Sometimes nearby Fish see the lead head jump loose from the rock and thinking it is food escaping, bite/strike it.
Smalliecatcher Posted December 17, 2004 09:40 AM
I don't know if it just me but screwing down your foot control for your trolling motor in the middle of your deck is not good for me . So I bought some Velcro and screwed a strip on each side of the frount deck. Then the other side had same Plax glass glued to the plax drilled threw the rubber plugs on the foot control use small bolts to hold that on. So know when I fish to the left I more it so I face to the left with both may feet straight to the left not cocking your hip out to get to the trolling motor in the middle. This helps to fish with no pain from having your foot cocked croaked. You can lift it off the left and put it on the right side. It works for people that fish the front in your boat in a Tournament he or she can ajust it to where it comfortable for them. Denny
Smalliecatcher Posted December 18, 2004 07:39 AM
Another tip for ice fishing . Tip ups put a button on your line threw two holes of the button. Find your depth and slide the button to the line holder by the spool. Two things this does you have your depth after you catch a fish reel line to button again and it is the same depth you just caught the fish at. Another is Northern fishing if the tip up pops up you can see if he just took it a little because you can see the button in the hole then watch when he starts running more. It works for walleyes too. I now use a little little bobber it adjust easier but the button everyone has buttons around and they are cheap. Cost nothing. Bobbers cost but all bait stores have these little one. Denny
ouachitabassangler Posted December 18, 2004 03:09 PM
About screwing the foot control down, I don't like it. I tried that a few years ago. Way too often I had to fish off the port because of wind or boat orientation, in which case I couldn't reach it and had to stand the whole time, tough to do in rough water. The only solution was to motor all the way up a shore so I could turn around and fish off starboard. Pretty soon I undid that and had holes in the carpet and a permanent controller footprint. My last boat, a Ranger, had it recessed, which I didn't like either for the same reason, plus the bay filled with water & trash. I leave it loose.
robynr Posted December 19, 2004 06:16 AM
I use pipe insulation (the kind that has a slit in it that slips onto the pipe) to store my Mepp spinners in. You can cut off whatever length you like depending on the number of lures and choose whatever size works best. Can be used for any lures you choose though. The hooks sink into the foam and they don't get tangled up, fits in your back pocket and floats.
Orion Posted December 22, 2004 04:12 PM
If all else fail fall back to the all to classic night crawler or minnow
sqrlb82001 Posted January 03, 2005 11:11 AM
cut a sponge into several small, 1/16th X 1/16th to 1/4 X 1/4 inch squares then put them into a sealable container then add your favorite scent natural or store bought does't matter soak them for sometime then when ya go fishing take them along, slide one over your hook then add your other bait and go for it...
Robert Horn Posted January 09, 2005 07:59 AM
When I needed extra storage space for bags of soft plastics in my tackle system for a trip away from home, I took a 3700 latchable box and removed the two main dividers with a Dremel tool. I found that I could lay 12 bags of worms in it and still fasten the latches easily. I also use a label maker to put labels on the front of my latchable boxes, between the two latches, so I can open my tackle system and at a glance I know exactly what is in each of my boxes without having to pull them out and look thru them to find something while I'm out on the water fishing.
WadeK Posted January 14, 2005 02:47 PM
For an inexpensive hook sharpener, try a Lady's metal fingernail file. They're typically around $1 and often have 2 different grits. Use the coarse for re-shaping a hook point that was curled over on a rock and the fine for sharpening.
fishnfilet Posted January 25, 2005 03:57 PM
musky fishing Kevin... I lived in Florida for a time before returning back to N.Y and have learned about bright shirts for sure!! A nice powder blue is my choice. The fish looking up see's only the big blue sky and not the master stalking him!!!
KIRBY Posted February 04, 2005 02:52 PM
I’m to tight to pay for top of the line coolers, so what I have done is to drill a couple of holes in the lid and top of the cooler and spray in a few shots of spray foam. the sides do not take a lot, the lid holds more. Seems to make ice last longer.
fishermen23340 Posted February 07, 2005 04:38 AM
In a pinch if the band on you spinnerbait, jig, or buzzbait breaks while your fishing, you can take the band used to hold a trailer hook as a replacement to the one broken. Just insert the strands of the skirt into a ink pen with it's guts removed roll the band up the pens tapered end then over the back end onto the skirt. Now the skirts ready to be placed back onto the bait.
fishermen23340 Posted February 07, 2005 04:58 AM
Another good tip for getting lures out of snags when you forgot your knocker. Take a stick and wrap it around your line. Put lots of slack into your line and toss the stick up stream & across from your snagged lure. Let the current carry the stick down stream. Most times as the stick floats down it will pull your lure from the other side of the snag thus freeing it.
Thrash Posted March 06, 2005 10:44 AM
every summer I go sailing with my grandparents and I couldn't catch anything, I realized that fish like shiny things so I strung three cd's together with a weight at the bottom and lowered it into the water, sure enough about 5 seconds I pulled out a 3.6lb smallie
getdanet1 Posted February 14, 2006 06:02 PM
How to make a "Slip" Bobber from any plastic "Clip" Bobber. You know, the Red and White kind!!
Push the plunger down to expose the bottom hook of the bobber.
While holding it down, use your needlenose to close the hook to a loop against itself.
when you release the plunger, the loop will remain outside the body of the bobber.
Rig it through the loop the same way you would rig a stick type slip bobber.
Thread Knot first then bead thread through bottom loop of bobber, then the weight, then hook.
No more fiddling passing the line through the bobber. No more. line wear gouges in the stick
jims out fishing Posted March 22, 2006 06:33 AM
If you happen to get any monofilament line stuck in a tight spot and can’t get it out, spray a little bug spray on it…the deet will eat the mono only take a few minutes then wash it up real good
Originally posted by wahoohunter455 Posted April 21, 2005
Have you ever been troll fishing and seen the fish of a lifetime strike and miss. Here's a way to put an end to that. It's called the triple jeopardy stinger rig. The way you make it is simple. You take a length of fishing line, 'bout 3 feet long maybe 'bout 15 pound test and tie a long shank 2/0 hook on. Then you come up about 8 inches and tie on a short shanked, prefferably circular, 2/0 or 3/0 hook and come up another 4-5 inches and tie on another circular 2/0 or 3/0 hook. Now, you tie a surgeon's double loop, 'bout 5-6 inches total and put on a 2-4 ounce weight. Now you have a rig that you can cast, troll, and jig, while ensuring a strong hookset and greater hooking ability. The way ya use it is you use the hooks that are close together to hold a piece of bait fish and you maybe put a softplastic or small shrimp on the trailin hook
. It can be adapted for freshwater by changing the hook sizes to long shank #1 or 1/0 and circular 1/0 or 2/0 and 1/2 to 2 ounce weight. Well, adios and happy fishin".