Simple little fishing tips...post them up guys

[Tenacious]

Jay,

Don't feel sorry for that sorry sap, he's going to Africa for 3 weeks!!!! Something about visiting his ancestors?

[SeaMarie]

When I started fishing with circle hooks for billfish I rigged the ballyhoo using the guatamala method. I was taught to get the perfect sized barrel swivel and perfect sized circle hook so that the hook just barely goes thru the swivel. Sounded great and yes the baits rarely come off the hook. I found that it took way too long to change out baits and tired of waiting for the crew to get fresh baits back in the water. I now use a swivel and hook set that slides on easily and just cut a small square out of a rubber band and slide it over the hook point. Its quick to change out and baits NEVER come off.

[Bert Rodgers]

Keep a few longline clips on board. I use them instead of downrigger clips on the downrigger.

Also they are excellent line keepers for the teaser retrieval line and when used to prevent outrigger creep.

Bert

[Bert Rodgers]

When I started fishing with circle hooks for billfish I rigged the ballyhoo using the guatamala method. I was taught to get the perfect sized barrel swivel and perfect sized circle hook so that the hook just barely goes thru the swivel. Sounded great and yes the baits rarely come off the hook. I found that it took way too long to change out baits and tired of waiting for the crew to get fresh baits back in the water. I now use a swivel and hook set that slides on easily and just cut a small square out of a rubber band and slide it over the hook point. Its quick to change out and baits NEVER come off.

Amazing how a little trial and error brings out the genious in fishermen! Thanks for a killer tip.

Bert

[Bert Rodgers]

WHEN YOU GO INTO THE TACKLE SHOP WITH YOUR NEW BOAT, MATCHING FISH CATCHING CLOTHES, ACTING LIKE YOU KNOW IT ALL...DON'T ASK THE CASHIER WHERE THEY KEEP THE CHROME OVER BRASS RIGS.

HOLWACHAGOT

Where do you tie up?

Bert

[weekender]

that same sqaure of rubber band will keep your peanut pogies gill hooking themselves as the hook slides around in the nose.

[Reelscreamer]

Guys this might sound stupid but...... it works for me. Go get how ever many noodles, yes the swimming pool noodles and cut a slit in them length ways and slide them around your rods for some extra protection against the bumps and bangs around in the bed of your truck or against the bugs. Get a couple of small velcro straps or whatever if you are going to leave your rods in the rod holders and secure them around the noodle to keep your rods clean and in good working order.

Thanks for all the great tips,
Jeremy

[Glenn W]

If you tie your own witches and your hands are old & cramp alot ---or-- if you ain't all that good in keeping two colors perfectly separated and equal (me on all counts)--- here's a little tip:

Grab the amount of hair you want for a witch of one color and wrap a piece of masking tap on one end. Flatten the hair along the tape about 1/2" or so before wrapping the tape shut on itself. ( this ain't got to be perfect) Do the same with the other color.
Now when you grab each wad of hair they won't all mix together or if you have to let go due to a cramp it won't fudge up (the taped end will be on the bottom of the head facing up as you tie). I's say to give yourself about 3/4" from the bottom of the tape to the lead head so the hair can wrap around the head as you tighten the initial wraps. Make your first few wraps and hitch off good. Staighten everything out and finish her up. You'll have a witch with no hair mixed in together and it's easy to get 180 degrees on each color (exactly one side, or half, the head).
Note: if you grabed too much hair to begin with and think the witch is too full when you check it after a few wraps, you need to now cut the tape off before you pull out the excess hair you don't want, so have a good pair of sissors on hand. No worries though, the hair is now set against the head and won't intermix or bunch back up.

[Turkey Feeder]

For cutting leaders to length...say 16 feet....take a 20 foot section of 1 inch PVC schedule 40..cut it to about 15 foot 6 inches. Cap one end and clamp it up side a wall or table....now take the coil of wire and feed it thru the PVC until it stops at the capped end....cut the section near the open end....repeat as many times as you want....it will hold the entire coil. Now you have the leaders cut inside the pipe....you can PVC a coupling to a 12 inch section..cap one end and use this to close off the pipe end and seal the remaining wire.

I give credit to Box for showing me this years ago.

Also a styrofoam cooler makes a great place to store rigged sea witches...just hook inside the wall..sprinkle baby power...close the top..and will keep without rusting.

Jim

[TROP]

1-Make sure you have all your safey gear and that its in good shape before leaving dock.
2-CABLE CUTTERS- I you fish with cable or wire, have cable cutters sheathed to your belt. They won't do you any good if they are in the box in an emergency.
3- Check the weather before you go. 1/2 the time they are wrong anyway.
4-Make sure your radio works. Its best to have two radios. Always do a radio check once in the water. Someone will always answer you.