"Money Saving Tips for the Angler"

Latest Tips --- posted April 2003

1. Braided lines are becoming more and more popular with today’s anglers. One of the problems braided line users face is cutting the line after tying a knot or wanting to remove a lure. Normal “fingernail” cutters that work on monofilament line just don’t work very well. The metal cutter in a dental floss container works great… Just be sure the wife is finished with it. A small pair of stainless steel scissors works well too.

2. If you’re like me, and you think the light, white, bright color of some of the “Super Lines” might alert the fish, try this simple solution… Get yourself a couple of permanent markers at the local discount store. Use green, blue, black and/or brown to camouflage the first 10 or 12 feet of line. Take a razor blade or sharp knife and cut a small slit in the tip of the marker. Insert the line into the slit and pull the line. Change colors as conditions dictate.

3. Remove the lids from all of your pork trailer jars and wrap a layer or two of Teflon Tape around the threads on the jar. The lids will never leak or stick again.

4. I have been using the “soft-sided” tackle bag systems for several years. Also, my bass boats have “built-in” tackle storage areas. I keep most of my tackle in Plano 3700 series “StowAway” boxes. I sort my lures as to type, size, use, etc., each category in its own box. When the boxes are standing on edge, in the bag or locker, it is darn near impossible to tell what lures are in them. I simply generate labels on the computer, using Avery 8460 labels. I can make all of the labels for the “Top Water” boxes one color; the labels for the “Crankbait” boxes another color; and so on. I put labels on all 4 edges of the box, so that no matter how it is positioned, I can tell at a glance what is in each box.

5. When you’re trying to sharpen the hook on a “Flippin’ Jig” the weedguard and skirt will be in the way, and prevent a good hook sharpening job. Push the weedguard down against the shank of the hook and wrap a bread tie around the weedguard, skirt and hook shank. Now the hook is exposed for easy and through sharpening.

6. Clean the screen on your depth finder, GPS, electronics, and dashboard instruments with a “dryer sheet”. It won’t scratch the lenses and reduces dust attracting static electricity.

7. Stop by the local office supply store and pick up some 1 inch, 2 inch or 3 inch binders and some clear plastic pencil pouches. Put the appropriate number of pouches in the binder and make a great storage system for spinnerbaits, extra skirts, trailer hooks, extra blades and all of your other spinnerbait accessories.

8. Do yourself a BIG favor and purchase a few of the new Plano 1412 or 1612 series storage boxes. They are made much like the ole Army ammo cans and have a waterproof “O-Ring” seal in the lid. They are ideal for storing important items in the boat that you want to keep DRY. First Aid kit, camera, LUNCH, etc. And they come in several colors.

9. Add a ball bearing or marble to your bottle of fish attractant. It will aid in mixing up the contents when you shake the bottle before use. It works especially well for attractants with added salt, glitter or garlic.

10. Don’t just mount a spare tire to your trailer frame. Pick up a new or used spindle and have a welding shop attach it to your trailer frame. Now mount a complete hub and wheel assembly, with bearings, to the spindle. Now you are ready for any tire or bearing problem.

Safe boatin’, good fishin’, keep your net wet, and………………

Tight Lines,
Pat Fisher
President
E-Bait Express