Fishing "hacks"

[Deleted]

Hacks: an object that is NOT used as intended.

I've got a couple. Chime in with yours.

I'm now using an empty pill bottle (label removed) to hold some of my loose hooks. I bought some in bulk but they poke through the packaging. Also, ever snip the corner of a pack of hooks and shake one out? They still spill all out in your tacklebox because you don't want them too. No other reason. Thus the PILL BOTTLE HACK.

I probably should cut down on the roller hotdogs from the gas station, but them clamshell containers are great for storing premade smaller rigs. I do put them in sandwich baggies then stuff them in the clear plastic clamshells, after removing and hotdog bun crumbs of course. They snap shut fairly well but are prone to crushing, but they still work well til you can obtain more next fishing trip. Next time at Race Trac, 2 for $2.50 hotdoggie time, remember the CLAMSHELL CONTAINER HACK.

Medical tape. The cloth type. Great for taping down the fishing line that wants to runway from the home spool! A little piece will do it, plus it could come in handy for other things (finger blood loss?). MEDICAL TAPE HACK.


Any other hacks anyone else has to make fishing more convenient?

[tristan]

When the foam Pool Noodles go on sale, pick a couple up. Cut them into 6" - 12" lengths, your preference, and slice a single line from one end to the other.

Poke the upper swivel on a used sabiki or bottom rig in the slot, and then wind the used sabiki or rig around the noodle, poking the hooks into the foam where they line up. When you get to the end loop or swivel, poke it into the slot as well.

You can wash your rigs in fresh water when you get home without taking them off the noodle, if you like.

A lot easier than trying to re-package the sabiki in it's original package. It's also a great way to keep your rigs untangled.

For a less bulky option, you can use pipe insulation available at Ace Hardware or a big-box store.

[shadowxmas]

Nov 18, 2016 21:10:04 GMT -5 @dpagates said:

Hacks: an object that is NOT used as intended.

I've got a couple. Chime in with yours.

I'm now using an empty pill bottle (label removed) to hold some of my loose hooks. I bought some in bulk but they poke through the packaging. Also, ever snip the corner of a pack of hooks and shake one out? They still spill all out in your tacklebox because you don't want them too. No other reason. Thus the PILL BOTTLE HACK.

I probably should cut down on the roller hotdogs from the gas station, but them clamshell containers are great for storing premade smaller rigs. I do put them in sandwich baggies then stuff them in the clear plastic clamshells, after removing and hotdog bun crumbs of course. They snap shut fairly well but are prone to crushing, but they still work well til you can obtain more next fishing trip. Next time at Race Trac, 2 for $2.50 hotdoggie time, remember the CLAMSHELL CONTAINER HACK.

Medical tape. The cloth type. Great for taping down the fishing line that wants to runway from the home spool! A little piece will do it, plus it could come in handy for other things (finger blood loss?). MEDICAL TAPE HACK.


Any other hacks anyone else has to make fishing more convenient?

I get zip lockbags from Walmart  in the jewelry making supply/craft area.  The bags come about 100 per package and come in different sizes.  I use the smaller bags for hooks and the the larger bags for prettied rigs.  I think the package costs about $2.00 per pkg. 

Walmart does have fold over sandwich bags at $1.00 for a package of 150 bags and that is better than the $ store. 

[shadowxmas]

Jan 2, 2017 14:16:22 GMT -5 tristan said:

When the foam Pool Noodles go on sale, pick a couple up. Cut them into 6" - 12" lengths, your preference, and slice a single line from one end to the other.

Poke the upper swivel on a used sabiki or bottom rig in the slot, and then wind the used sabiki or rig around the noodle, poking the hooks into the foam where they line up. When you get to the end loop or swivel, poke it into the slot as well.

You can wash your rigs in fresh water when you get home without taking them off the noodle, if you like.

A lot easier than trying to re-package the sabiki in it's original package. It's also a great way to keep your rigs untangled.

For a less bulky option, you can use pipe insulation available at Ace Hardware or a big-box store.

Great idea!  It is a pain in the butt trying to untangle sabiki rigs as we all know.   

I have seen some foam tubing that you can split and wrap around the rail on a boat to protect your rods and it is also softer to lean on than the metal railing.  I used to have a piece of the tubing but I think I got rid of it as I do not go out on the boats much anymore. 

The noodles will not be as thick but may work. 

[tristan]

I'm hoping to get out this year on a party boat, so any 'hacks' related to making it a great trip are welcome.

I'm thinking a rolling cooler, tackle bag and sundries bag strapped on cooler, rods bundled and already rigged is a good start.

Here's another hack for those that service your own reels: If you have green crud (verdigris) on your reel, disassemble and soak in white vinegar for 15-45 minutes, rinse in clean water, dry in the sun. eliminates the need to scrub the crud off with harsh methods like wire brushing or steel wool.

When reassembling your reel, wipe on a coat of marine grease and then take it all off with a clean rag - this will leave a thin protective coat which will help keep any further corrosion at bay - until the next service.

[Mackerelman]

Jan 10, 2017 14:16:43 GMT -5 tristan said:

I'm hoping to get out this year on a party boat, so any 'hacks' related to making it a great trip are welcome.

I'm thinking a rolling cooler, tackle bag and sundries bag strapped on cooler, rods bundled and already rigged is a good start.

Here's another hack for those that service your own reels: If you have green crud (verdigris) on your reel, disassemble and soak in white vinegar for 15-45 minutes, rinse in clean water, dry in the sun. eliminates the need to scrub the crud off with harsh methods like wire brushing or steel wool.

When reassembling your reel, wipe on a coat of marine grease and then take it all off with a clean rag - this will leave a thin protective coat which will help keep any further corrosion at bay - until the next service.

Also, When Putting it back together, Use Plenty of Reel Gear Oil to Keep it in Good Condition & Operating Smoothly.

Vaseline also works when You do not Have Reel Gear Oil handy.

[tristan]

MM, should have mentioned that, I guess.

My protocol is: Yamaha blue marine grease on all interior surfaces of the frame, light coat.
Marine grease on the gears.
Reel oil on the bearings and/or bushings.
Cal's Drag grease on the drags, assuming modern carbon fiber drags.
Screws all get a dab of grease to keep them from seizing.
Exterior gets marine grease and then wiped / buffed off.

To some folks the grease on the drags is controversial or verboten. On modern drags from Penn and Okuma for example, they come from the factory with special drag grease, so I think it's settled that it's the thing to do.

[Mackerelman]

Jan 12, 2017 1:56:33 GMT -5 tristan said:

MM, should have mentioned that, I guess.

My protocol is: Yamaha blue marine grease on all interior surfaces of the frame, light coat.
Marine grease on the gears.
Reel oil on the bearings and/or bushings.
Cal's Drag grease on the drags, assuming modern carbon fiber drags.
Screws all get a dab of grease to keep them from seizing.
Exterior gets marine grease and then wiped / buffed off.

To some folks the grease on the drags is controversial or verboten. On modern drags from Penn and Okuma for example, they come from the factory with special drag grease, so I think it's settled that it's the thing to do.

You are Telling it like it is.  
I always Keep My Penn Grease on hand.

[tristan]

Here's one I've done but haven't tested yet.

I purchased some pipe insulation, 1/2" inside diameter, that comes with the split already in it, with adhesive to be able to protect PVC and copper pipes.

I cut a piece of this about 18-20" long, and put it in front of the foregrip on my grouper rod. Then I wrapped it with a double overlapping layer of electrical tape stretched taut.

This compressed the insulation into a firm 1/8" thick protector as a rub-guard for fishing on a party boat. This should help keep the rod blank undamaged from guard rail.

Some folks make a rod guard with Paracord or thick twine coated in varnish or other sealant. The cool thing about the insulation/electrical tape is it's easily removable, reasonably tough, cheap as chips and I don't think it changes the action of the blank at all.

[tristan]

A piece of 2" PVC, about 4.5' long, with a 3/8" hole 10-12" from the bottom straight through both sides, and a 3/8" dowel about 12-18" long pressed through the hole makes a nice rod holder for the pier.

I cut the bottom at an angle to be able to use it as a sand spike at the beach as well

You just drop in into the drain holes all along the pier, the dowel keeps it from dropping through...

[montylfl]

Adding to the pill box hack. I use them for small weights too. Keeps them from collecting in the bottom of my tackle bag

[tristan]

If you want to travel up and down the pier ultralight, one of the round breath mint containers will take a coil of extra leader material, a few hooks, a few extra weights. Fits in pocket. Take that kit, a rod-n-reel, and a flow-troll bucket of bait and get walking!

I don't do that so often anymore 'cause I usually have my kids or parents with me, it's more social than hard core fishin'.