Tackle/Fishing Supplies..Tips/Tricks

[manitoubass2]

We as anglers tend to spend alot of money on bait, gear, lures and fishing related supplies. Over time and many mistakes, we learn and improve on how we do things. So I thought a tips and tricks thread would be a great idea. We can combine many years of angling experience into one thread, to help each other learn, and save money as well. I don't care how many years experience you have, you will always be learning new things about your favorite pastime. So lets just make it easier for one another, and compile a list to speed up the process!

Never store bass jigs(skirted jigs) rigged with plastic baits, or in the same compartment of your tackle box. The combination will cause the plastic bait, and or the silicone skirt material to melt into a goooey mess, rendering them all but useless.

Always allow round head or any lead jig to dry before storing, or they will rust. Again, as mentioned above, remove the plastic bait from the jig as well before storing. I leave my tackle box open, inside for a few hours before closing it up. You can also use the packets from vitamin bottles to put in your tackle box to remove any access moisture to help even more.

Dont store a jig, rigged with a plastic, back into a bag of plastic, especially if they are salted baits. They will rust the jig.

Don't mix various plastic into one bag. They can melt, colors can bleed as well.

Scented soft baits, like Gulp products, should be stored into seperate zip lock bag to prevent them from leaking into your tackle box. If it leaks into the ziplock, its quick and easy to replace the bag, and keep the stink and mess outta your tackle box.

Don't apply suncreen or bug dope before fishing, they are both horrible in terms of taste/smell to fish. As is nicotine. If you must apply these products (which you should do on some level to remain healthy), wash your hands and use a fishing scent on your lures, or hands or both to mask the odor.

If you don't like birdsnests and wind knots, try as hard as you can to not cast directly into the wind. Sometimes you have to, but try to avoid it if you can. Also, watch your line when you cast. Alot of these issues are easily corrected at first happening, not so much after you begin to retrieve, or try to cast again. Cast low if casting into the wind, don't lob cast.

Just a few to start with. Please feel free to chime in with some of your own tricks/tips. I'll have more later