"Money Saving Tips for the Angler"

Latest Tips --- posted February 2004

1. For those who store your boat outside during the winter, or even on a “year-round” basis, and are tired of water, ice, snow, debris, or what-have-you collecting on your sagging boat cover… Install the front and rear pedestals in their bases. Slip a 2 or 3 feet length of 1 1/2in PVC pipe over the pedestals. Glue a “Tee” on top of each. Cut a length of pipe that will run from the front pedestal to the bow. Length will vary with each boat. Glue a 45 degree elbow on the forward end, then cut and install a length of pipe into the elbow that with rest behind the bow light socket. Install a cap on the end and pad the end if you wish. Repeat the process for the aft pedestal, running a brace down to the motor well. Cut a length of pipe that will fit between the two pedestals. You may install another “Tee” and a brace in the center of the span if needed. I sue “pins” in all of the remaining “joints” so that I can dismantle and reassemble the unit quickly and easily. A light rope tied from the support, to each mooring cleat will give added stability.

2. Try “Pledge” furniture polish to clean you boat and motor. It does wonders on Plexiglas windshields, LCD screens, sunglasses and most other smooth surfaces. And it doesn’t leave an oily film.

3. As an avid night fisherman, I use to find it difficult to see my marker buoys in the dark, fishing with only black lights. I used high quality white “Sign Painters Enamel” to paint white stripes on my markers. Now they GLOW in the black light, and are easy to stay in sight of.

4. Purchase a big box of NON-latex examination gloves at your local drug store or medical supply house. They cost around $10 and are impervious to gas and oil. Wear a pair when you are fueling your truck or boat, working on same, changing a flat, or handling petroleum products and other items whose taste and odor are detrimental to fishing.

5. Are you spending big money for “Insert Weights” to use with your Salty Sinkin’ Worms, Equalizer Worms, Salty Slugs or other soft plastic baits? Go to the hardware department of your local Wal-Mart and purchase a roll of plumbers solder. It is available in several diameters and can be easily cut with needle nose pliers or line clippers. Cut a few two-inch lengths, or any length you like and keep them handy.

6. Encase all of your maps, boat registration papers, or other paper items in clear contact paper… Front and back. They will be waterproof, you can write and erase on the maps with a china marker, and they will last a lot longer.

7. Use a cotton swab to coat the guides on your rods with Rain-X. After it dries, buff it with another swab. It reduces friction, deduces abrasion to your line, increases casting distance, and deters the formation of ice in cold weather.

8. Replacing the line on all your reels and WISH you had a “Line Stripper”? Well, you probably DO! Use a hand-held electric mixer, with one beater installed. Wrap the line around the large part of the beater and it will slip right off when finished.

9. I’ve had more than my share of “Trailering Nightmares” over the years. No matter how careful you are; no matter how much you practice preventative maintenance; no matter how good the equipment you use… YOU WILL have trailer troubles sooner or later! And… It is guaranteed to be in the most remote areas, or at the most inconvient time of day. NOW… I keep all of the tools and parts I could possibly need, in a special “Trailer” box, inside the Yukon, when on the highway. It includes the necessary tools for doing the job; a complete set of bearings and races; a new spindle; a new hub; spare lug bolts; grease; a file; paper towels; non-latex gloves; hand cleaner; rags; a trailer jack; spare bearing buddies, etc. I hope I NEVER need to use it!

10. Speaking of “Jacks”. Thirty-some years ago, when I first got into this line of work, and got my first real “Bass Boat”, I checked to make sure the “jack” supplied with my “Scout” would fit under the axle of my boat trailer… It did, so I was all set. THEN… I eventually had a flat tire and then the “jack” would NOT fit under the axle with all of the air out of the tire. I purchase one of those “half-moon-shaped” trailer “jacks”… And haven’t been without it since.

11. Use “Armor-All” on your boat carpeting to restore is condition, remove dirt and stains, and repel spills.

12. To keep mud-daubers and other insects out of your outboards “tell-tale”, that little hole where water squirts out when you are running your motor, insert a round toothpick. It is large enough to keep the little critters out and loose enough to “blow-out” when you crank up the engine.

Tight Lines,
Pat Fisher
President
E-Bait Express