"Money Saving Tips for the Angler"

The latest tips --- posted November 2002

1. What a major “let-down” to have a flat on your boat trailer… And finding out that your spare is flat or low on air, weather cracked or otherwise useless. And after you’ve hauled it around all this time too! Keep your trailer tires and spare in A-1 condition by rotating all of them every six months. This can save you a lot of headaches and money down the “road”.

2. A good pair of polarized sunglasses might just do more than help you locate fish. I have had lures, sinkers, etc. come flying back from their “hung-up” location in a shoreline tree or bush; bugs smack me in the face while motoring from spot to spot; limbs poke me while trying to retrieve a hung lure, and a few other instances where a good pair of sunglasses saved me from injury or hospital and doctor bills. Not to mention the lost fishin’ time!

3. Those 35mm film canisters come in handy for so many things… Someone should start marketing them by the bag full. Especially the clear ones that Fuji film comes in. With the Fuji canisters, you can see what is inside them. I use them to keep hooks, split-shot, small sinkers and a variety of other items separated. I also use them to keep my spare trailer tail-light bulbs in. It will keep the bulb safe from brakeage and protect it from dampness and dirt. They are also great for storing extra shear pins for the outboard or trolling motor; a few quarters for emergencies; an extra boat ignition key; Tums, and a thousand other items. Drop in one of the little silica-gel capsules that come in prescription bottles to prevent rust.

4. Speaking of “Silica-Gel” capsules… I place one in each compartment of my Plano 3700 StowAway boxes, where I store my crankbaits, top-water lures, Zara Spooks and other hard-bodied lures. They will help keep the hooks from rusting. If you don’t use prescription drugs, talk with your local Pharmacist and they will save them for you.

5. One more thing about the “Silica-Gel” capsules… After they have been in your tackle box for awhile, they will lose their effectiveness. Simply take them all out and place them on a sheet of aluminum foil, on a cookie sheet (mess up the wife’s cookie sheet and you won’t NEED them anymore). Set the oven of 175 to 200 degrees and place the cookie sheet and capsules in the oven for about two hours. They will be rejuvenated and as good as new. I do this about every three months.

6. I also collect “Silica-Gel” in lose or bulk form from the local camera shop, sporting goods store, Pharmacy, and where ever I can find it. My wife makes little pouches, about three inches square, out of cotton fabric and fills them with the gel before sewing-up the last edge. I keep them in my tackle boxes, gun safes, ammo storage cabinet, and the container I keep all of my gunpowder (for reloading) in. Keeps everything dry!

7. I re-spool all of my reels almost every time I go fishing (and that is a LOT). BUT… I don’t discard that used monofilament fishing line. Instead, I save it all in a large paper bag and when I go to my local sporting goods shop I take it along. Most shops will have a line re-cycling bin there. It may not save you any money… BUT it will sure do the landfills, the wildlife, birds and the environment a big favor.

8. I used to HATE trying to anchor my boat around brush piles, stumps or to the shore during an “Emergency”, just to take a brake, or to fish a piece of near-shore cover. I solved this problem many years ago. I cut a length of three-quarter inch PVC pipe to the longest length I could fit into my rod box (about 7 feet). Then I drilled a one-half-inch hole, about three-quarters of an inch from one end. Next, I cut a ten-foot length of “braided” (not twisted) three-eight inch diameter nylon rope. I sealed both ends of the rope with a butane lighter and inserted one end through the hole in the pipe and tied a good overhand knot in that end. Then, I threaded the other end of the rope down the pipe and out the other end. Now, when I want to secure the boat, I simply “lasso” a tree limb or stump, pull the rope up tight and secure the other end of the rope to a line cleat on my boat. It will hold the boat in perfect position. I made two of these, and often use both.

9. Purchase one of those plastic pistol cases or reel cases at the local sports shop. Plano makes a good one. Then use it to store your depthfinder (s) in while traveling to and from your favorite fishin’ hole. It will also protect them during the “off” time, from dust, dirt, “oops” damage, and moisture (put a Silica-Gel pack in there too). NEVER leave your electronics on your boat while towing it down the highway. There is FAR more jump, jar, bounce, wiggle, wind, dirt and vibration created on the road then your electronics will ever endure on the water. They will last longer and work better too!

10. After numerous experiences with unwanted “wet feet” I decided to come up with a foolproof way of remembering to install the drain plug in my boat before launching it. I used red fingernail polish to mark all four sides of my “motor-toter” transom saver with the words “DRAIN PLUG”. Now… If I can just figure out a foolproof way to remember to take the “toter” off!