Tips, Tricks, Toys, Tackle, Tools, and Techniques ... 2011

Utah Fishing Reports & Discussion Utah Fishing General
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Well, it’s that time of the year again when I like to share some of the things that learned over the past 12 months that help me with my fishing hobby.

As you browse throught these items, feel free to reply with your thoughts or experiences on them … I’d love to hear.

  1. Prevent “fishing hangovers”: It seems like the day after a long trip to the Berry or to the Gorge, I always feel hung over with fatigue and especially a bad headache. N.E.T.O. and Fishingfool both taught me to drink lots of water before, during, and after the trip. Dehydration was causing my headaches. Now that I drink lots of water, as they encouraged, I no longer have those dang hangover headaches.

  2. Snags that act as “fish calls”: Jim Williams taught us that a snag, if played right, will actually “call” the fish in. At first I had my doubts but now I am a believer.

  3. Split Ring Pliers by Coast: Model #FT2401. Finally …. Split ring pliers that actually work … REAL GOOD!

[inline “Split Ring Pliers.gif”]

  1. Painting the rod tips white for mackinaw fishing: After a couple of hours focusing on the rod tip when vertical jigging for macs on the Gorge, my eyes and concentration get a bit blurred and out of focus. For some reason, the problem with focusing gets even worse when the sun gets a little higher around noon. A great solution is to paint your rod tip white. I have found that, for me, the area between the tip-top eyelet and the first eyelet down is the best area to paint white. If you want to give this a try, but are not sure you want to make it permanent just yet, do like N.E.T.O did and just wrap some bright white tape around the end of the rod. I think you will like what you “see”.

[inline Rod-Tip-White.gif]

  1. Drag Comparisons of the Japan Made Shimano Calcuta ($200+) and the Swiss Made Abu Garcia Ambassadeur ($95). I have found my new favorite big fish level wind reel … the Abu Garcia Ambassadeur 5600. If you are interested in some not so scientific testing that I did, see the attached Word document “Drag Comparisons”.

  2. Salting my cut bait the night before taking them out fishing. It makes the meat firmer and easier to keep on the hook. It also makes them tastier for the fish (like salted plastics). Note: I actually have not ever tried this yet. I keep forgetting. But it sounds like a great idea. Anyone else?

  3. Cut worms with a pair of cat/dog nail trimmers. The curve in both blades allow precise cutting of those slippery wiggly slimy worms. I really like using them when trying to get a precise length when tipping small hooks for whitefish at Bear Lake.

[inline “Pet Nail Clippers.gif”]

  1. Fuel treatments … I’m moving from fuel stabilizers like Sta-Bil to a fuel “treatments” like Star Tron. Even though stabilizers are good for several things related to fuel, Star Tron claims to cure the ethanol problem in addition to stabilizing the fuel. I see where Sta-Bil also has their own Marine Ethanol Treatment that I need to look into. The one thing that Sta-Bil has over Star Tron is that cool tip-n-pour measuring spout. Bottom line, I will make sure that what ever treatment I use in the future includes something to combat ethanol problems.

[inline Fuel-Treatment.gif]

  1. Recently, I have become even MORE aware of the problems with aging monofilament and fluorocarbon lines. The only time I use fluorocarbon line is for leader (all of my main lines are braid). And so a 250 yard spool of fluorocarbon line can last a LONG time … years. Those of you that know me know that a motto of mine is “There are NO excuses for breakoffs!” Well, this year I have learned the hard way that fluorocarbon lines degrade over time sooner than I even expected. After some frustrating breakoffs and loss of some expensive Lucky Craft lures, and after some stress tests in my shop, I am now convinced that once a spool of my fluorocarbon line reaches two years old, it is going in the trash. So, to know how old my spools of fluoro are, from now on, every new spool will get labeled with a purchase date.

[inline Spool-Date.gif]

  1. And, while I have the label machine out, I am also putting the lb. test on the spool. Sometimes, after a lot of use, it gets hard to read the manufactures label. So this makes it easy to know for sure what test you are using.

[inline Spool-Weight.gif]

  1. Speaking of spools, here is a trick I have long loved … making my own line clips in the spool. Using a pair of small diagonal cutters, I cut two small slits in the spool. Then I can easily secure the end of the line so that it doesn’t come unspooled. If you want to do this yourself, I recommend that you hold the edge of the spool under hot running water long enough to slightly “soften” the spool. Otherwise your dikes will just break out a notch rather than cutting a slit.

[inline Spools-Line-Attach.gif]

So, do you have any thoughts or experiences about the above ides you would like to share? Or, do you have some of your own tricks, tips, or ideas that you are fond of? I would love to read and learn from you.

Here are a few similar threads from past years that you might like:

http://www.bigfishtackle.com/…?post=375870#p375870

http://www.bigfishtackle.com/…?post=630134;#630134

http://www.bigfishtackle.com/…?post=457260;#457260

— Coot —

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"Snags that act as “fish calls”: Jim Williams taught us that a snag, if played right, will actually “call” the fish in. At first I had my doubts but now I am a believer."

How about some more details on what you are talking about here and the technique(s) involved?

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Yea, “Snags that act as fish calls” does sound a little strange don’t it. Well here is the story as best as I can tell it:

Randy, Terry, and I were vertical jigging for macks on the Gorge last June with guide Jim Williams. We were using large tube jigs with 1 oz. lead heads. Whenever one of us would snag up, Jim would tell us not to yank up hard. Rather, he would encourage us to gently “rock” our lure up and down until it “fell” free. He also taught us that as we were rocking our jigs loose, the jig would gently knock or tap against the rock or wood that it was stuck in. Without fail, that gentle knocking and tapping would bring more fish into the cone of the fish finder. As best as we could figure, that underwater sound was more “natural” than many other sounds that resonate through the lake water.

With that information, I made a homemade device that that I called “cup-o-nuts” that was a small plastic container with some lug nuts in it. The nuts were tied to some fishing line. We dropped the cop-o-nuts to the bottom and after a few minutes of no fish on the finder, we would very gently rattle the cup-o-nuts. Sure nuff, here come the fish. Problem was, we couldn’t get those new curious fish to bite any better than the fish “that weren’t there”.

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Well, that won’t be working much longer.

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I’ll give you enough for that used Calcutta to pay for a new Ambassadeur, tax, and express shipping to your front door. I’ll even order it! Then you’ll have a brand new favorite for a back-up.[sly]

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L.O.L. Jim, I was day dreaming that if I were a rich guy, I’d “give” you a 5600 to try for a season. I’d even throw in a “cup-o-nuts”.

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Great stuff Coot! Your are a wise man!

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Always appreciate your ‘annual gadget’ posts.
Thanks - good stuff Maynard.
I’d suspect you’re familiar with Sea Foam for a gas treatment/engine cleaner/stablizer? Wiperhunter turned me on to it, and I’ve been hooked ever since.

No clothing accessories this year? I got a ball-cap with a light in the brim that I love (when I can find it again that is!)

So - with all that extra hydrating, how to you handle the resulting “output” while floating, boating, or ice-fishing? :blush:

My Mrs doesn’t seem to buy it when I tell her fishing is a workout. I’d like to see HER drag a loaded ice-sled across a lake, or up a hill! Launching/Loading always seems to leave me winded.
All the casting, sitting/standing - not to mention an occasional fish-de-cuffs (fighfight!)!
And then there’s the leg cramps from sitting in a crowded boat full of TOO much tackle! It’s all good.

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CoyoteSpinner: I’d suspect you’re familiar with Sea Foam for a gas treatment/engine cleaner/stablizer? Wiperhunter turned me on to it, and I’ve been hooked ever since.

Coot: I’ve heard of Sea Foam but never used it. I know many guys do. Should I use it after my last trip to Bear Lake this December? I’ll get with Wiperhunter and have him learn me.

CoyoteSpinner: So - with all that extra hydrating, how to you handle the resulting “output” while floating, boating, or ice-fishing? :blush:

Coot: That is a good question. I employ the famous “pee bucket”. I went to Walmart and bought a wide mouth plastic 2-quart pitcher with a good handle. Threw it’s lid away. The pitcher stores and works great. And yes … the “output” does get dumped into the lake. As for ice fishing … come on yellow snow.

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Wide mouth and 2 quart pitcher? Mine’s not even half that size. But then…

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I’ve been using these velcro lure wraps for a number of years, and I can’t imagine not having them. I like to set up my rods the day before I go out so they’re ready to fish. I used to wrap and tape paper around the lure or hooks, but it didn’t work nearly as well as these.

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Thanks for mentioning those Cabela’s Lure Keepers. I have three of them and love those little buggers.

[inline “Velcro Lure Keepers.gif”]

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Old Coot, you say your fluorocarbon degraded? I wasn’t away this could happen with pure Flourocarbon or at least that quickly (meaning I have read it takes a very long time for this to happen)
I wonder if it is the brand. I WAS using Berkly Vanish and I too was breaking off a lot. Since switching to P-Line or Seaguar, I don’t break off. In fact most mine are over three years old.
Just a thought.

Love these tips you are giving…Brilliant!!!

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Old Coot, you say your fluorocarbon degraded? I wasn’t aware this could happen with pure Flourocarbon or at least that quickly (meaning I have read it takes a very long time for this to happen)
I wonder if it is the brand. I WAS using Berkly Vanish and I too was breaking off a lot. Since switching to P-Line or Seaguar, I don’t break off. In fact most mine are over three years old.

Humm … maybe that is the common thread here … It is Berkley Vanish that I have been having the issues with. Maybe it is time for me to consider swithching. But no matter what brand I end up with, anything left after two years is going in the trash (or to my tournament competitors).[sly]

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Cool. We have confirmation on Berkly :smiley:
I would worry about the other two brands though.
I am very interested in the headache and water thing. I too got headaches, but I bought MIO and now drinking water is no problems.
Thanks!

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Nice post Ralph! I guess just staying home and talking about fishing is better than staying home and not talking about fishing…stupid weather.:angry:

Anyway, I like everything that has been posted so far, including those velcro lure keepers, but one other thing that you yourself tweaked me onto was that Cabelas rod holder. It’s supposed to hold 8 rods, but really only holds 4 rigged ones. The last time I went out, I rigged all 4 of my rods, put them in the Cabelas rod holder bag then put it on the floor of my boat. At the lake, my rods were dry, pre-rigged, not all tangled up and best of all…didn’t keep hitting Arron in the head while on the road! As we’ve discussed, it’s not the perfect solution, but it’s the best I’ve seen so far…and I use the velcro wraps on each rod INSIDE the Cabelas rod holder bag!

I started using the Vanish over the P-line this year and I actually prefer the Vanish…seemed more supple and flexible and less brittle to me. Curious. And I also learned a long time ago that it’s no good for a ful spool. Leader only for me…I wish I didn’t believe in it, but I do. And I also agree…about every 2 years it gets replaced. I start noticing that tying that Uni to Uni knot it breaks off…that’s when it’s time to go.

Here is another tip that I learned a long time ago. I spend a LOT of preperation time before EACH fishing trip. I literally have my clothes layed out…in the order that I put them on…with EVERYTHING else packed except for my cooler…which is placed at the doorway so I have to trip over it to leave, which has a note listing everything to PUT IN IT before I leave. I find that since I like getting up early to go (usually 3:30, 4:30 am, etc.), my mind isn’t quite in gear and if I have to think about what to bring at that point…I’ll forget it. Everyone that I go with usually mocks me but eventually they see the wisdom in this technique and they start doing the same. It only takes one trip where you’ve forgotten something that you really needed to convince you to find a new way to not forget. Also…I bring a LOT of garb with me each and every trip. And I get mocked for that also. There is only one trip that I can think of that I’ve actually needed that spare change of clothes that I always have with me, but boy was I glad I had it that day! I was soaked! (Cloudburst at the boat ramp!). It was cool to declare that I was going to go in the bathroom and change my clothes and that I had them with me that day! Hey…if you have the room…bring it!

One more gadget that I’ve really been turned on to this year…The MinnKota SpotLock! It’s expensive, but it is SO COOL to just drive out to your spot, push the button and forget about it until you move…which for me may not be all day sometimes. I don’t even carry an anchor with me anymore, and my usual lazy passenger (he knows who he is…) doesn’t complain near as much as he used to! I can think of lot’s of places on Lake Powell where this will come in handy, like the buoy line at the dam at Lake Powell in the spring, when they enforce the “do not attach yourself” to the buoys rule, and it’s 300 feet deep there, but that’s where the Stripers are congregated! But I’ve already used it a lot at Strawberry for jigging and it is awesome. Actually works better in the wind than on a calm day!

I use the salted bait technique, I think Tube Dude tweaked me onto that years ago. I’ve run side by side tests with it ice fishing, and I can’t tell that the salt helps or hurts the bite as the catch rate on the salted vs unsalted is about the same side by side. However, it DOES make it less mushy and easier to use when frozen.

I guess I’ve rambled enough. I’ll probably add more later. I wish I were up at the Berry right now fishing at Renegade.

Randy

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“6. Salting my cut bait the night before taking them out fishing. It makes the meat firmer and easier to keep on the hook. It also makes them tastier for the fish (like salted plastics). Note: I actually have not ever tried this yet. I keep forgetting. But it sounds like a great idea. Anyone else?”

:sunglasses:A great topic for a weekend when Mama Nature is off her meds again.

I’ll comment on the bait prep thing. I don’t doctor minnows because I fish them whole. But if you wanna precut them for tipping jigs then the salting could be a good idea. However, I do use a lot of perch meat and I DO doctor it up the night before a trip. I freeze the unskinned but scaled fillets in small packages…trip size. I thaw them the afternoon before a trip and then cut them into bait-size pieces. Then I sprinkle on a light coating of sea salt. THEN…I also squirt on some crawdad oil and stir it all together before putting it back into the refrigerator until morning.

Does it work? Got a lot of fellow BFTers who have seen the results first hand…catching a grundle of fish on that “stank bait” after first doing poorly on “traditional” stuff. Catch lots of perch, trout and even the occasional walleye on it. The crappies in Pineview like it too.

**I suspect that adding both salt and crawdad oil to chopped chubs might help the attraction in Strawberry. **

I will also chime in on the hydration thing. Definitely an overlooked necessity of most fishing trips…even cold weather ones. Even for us float tubers. I try to limit my pre-tubing intake but that has proven to be bad thinking. True, what goes in must come out…and in much greater volume (it seems) than what was ingested. How does a morning cup of coffee become a gallon of lemonade within a few minutes of launching my tube? But, I have found that paying attention to hydration reduces muscle spasms and improves endurance upon the water. And I have also noticed the tendency to get headaches if I do not stay hydrated.

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Oh, man, Randy … how could I forget to include that Cabela’s Pro Rod case!

[inline “Pro Rod Bag.gif”]

That is the second cool item that I forgot to include in my list of cool stuff.

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T-Dude, what “Crawdad Oil” would you recomend?

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  1. hydration… you know most of the fishing back packs they make now a adays have a hydration bladder sleeve in them. fill one of those bad boys with WATER (beer is a bad idea).