Fishing Tips

To prevent braid line from slipping on the reel, first put a short but wide rubber band or two on the reel. Next spool up as usual. The braid will dig into the rubber band and stay put.

Tired of expensive lures slipping off the line when an unexpected toothy critter cuts your mono? Putting a crimp or knot between your lure and beads will sometimes catch the lure if the hook is taken off.

Take a short piece of PVC pipe and run your bumper line through a hole drilled in it. Tie off the bumper and drop the PVC into a rod holder. Quick and easy bumper deployment at the right height every time.

Take a piece of pipe insulation and wrap it around any bar on your boat. Wire tie it in place and you have a great place to hook lures and other rigs for quick access.

Dip your lures in menhaden oil to give them a more life like appeal.

Check your boat's VHF, if it is DSC compatible register for you free Maritime Mobile Service Identity number. Your MMSI is a unique number that registers boat and owner information in the U.S. Coast Guard's national distress database for use in emergency situations. Your MMSI number is transmitted when you make a distress call. For more information...

If you are new to boating, or just in a new area and worried about hitting bottom, follow a bigger boat. If it stops fast, you stop fast.

If you want to get your live bait to swim lower, cut off the lower half of their tail fin. They will swim down more.

To tie off to a pilling in a strong current, start by moving into the current until your bow is just past the pilling. Toss a long rope with a fender tied to the other end well past the pilling and drift back. The fender will carry the rope back. Catch it and tie off.

If you like to pull a dredge or spreader bar, try attaching it to your down rigger cable. This makes for quick recovery and doesn't tie up a rod holder.

If you rig with stingers try this to allow for various sizes of bait fish. Tie or crimp your stinger hook to the line. Next put a crimp at the beginning of the expected size range. Slip your hook on and then put a crimp at the end of the range. Your front hook can move between the two crimps to fit the bait.

When site fishing, trolling, or just moving around in a boat try to keep the sun to your back. The glare from the sun will make it extremely difficult to see fish if you don't.

If you are planning to release a fish handle it as little as possible. Fish have a slime coating that protects them from disease, human contact can remove the slime and leave the fish vulnerable. Wetting your hands or wearing gloves also helps.

Always net a fish head first. It is easier on the fish and they can't swim backwards.

If practicing release fishing use heavier tackle. The shorter fight will leave the fish in better shape to recover.

Ever pull an anchor up a couple hundred feet? Try an anchor ball.

Anchoring on a spot in strong wind or current is tricky. A sea anchor can help create drag and make the task easier. If you don't have a sea anchor a large bucket and rope will work.

To rig a balloon as a live bait float, try using a three way swivel. One point goes to your line, one to the bait leader, and the last to a snap. Hook the snap to the ring on the bottom of the balloon. The bait will swim freely and the balloon will stay attached to the snap even after it pops.

Treble hook alternative

Follow the birds