"Money Saving Tips for the Angler"

Previous tips #03 ... They may be old but they're just as good!

Here are a few more "Money Saving Tips" that will help to s-t-r-e-t-c-h your fishing dollar and give you more money to spend on the really important things in life… more tackle!

1. You can pick up scraps of vinyl lettering material, in an almost endless array of colors and at little or no cost, at a local sign shop. Use the "peal-and-stick" vinyl to enhance the appearance of lures, spinnerbait blades, etc.

2. Glue a couple of small strips of sandpaper to your line clippers. It will give you a non-slip surface in cold or wet weather.

3. Use the cardboard "flat", that beer and soda come in as a parts tray and work surface when cleaning or repairing reels. It will keep the small parts from straying and keep the mess confined. Simply toss the carton out when finished.

4. Use a length of vinyl or aluminum rain gutter and two end caps to make a utility try for your boat. Drill drain holes in the bottom and small holes along the lip to hang lures from. It will keep your boat neat and tidy.

5. Waterproof all of your maps by laminating them between two sheets of clear contact paper. You can make notes on them with a black grease pencil too. The maps can be cleaned with a soft cloth and a little lighter fluid.

6. Keep an ink eraser in your tackle box. It can be used to remove the rust from hooks and other tackle, and to shine-up those dull spinnerbait blades.

7. While you boat is parked outside, keep a piece of duck tape over the water flow indicatior tube and the lower unit water intake holes. Keep a section of old panty hose over the prop exhaust port. This will keep bugs, wasps and other critters from taking up residency there and causing troubles. DON'T FORGET TO REMOVE THESE ITEMS WHEN YOU GO FISHING!

8. Don't toss out those worn, torn and chewed upon plastic worms. Break off the head, and or tail, and use the middle section as a "Do Nothing" or "Fry" worm.

9. Remove the magnet from and old audio speaker, or purchase a new magnet. Glue the magnet to the side of your boat, in a convenient location. It will hold hooks, lures, etc. in place for easy access.

10. I keep a good magnet, attached to about 10 feet of stout cord, in my tackle box and fishing vest. It comes in handy for fiinding small items dropped in grass or shallow water.