Tips to make your fishing day pleasant

[Gizmo Man]

Thought I'd start a new post to have everyone share a tip or two to make you fishing day pleasant or successful.

I would change spark plugs at least once a yr. and more often if using motor frequently. I buy my plugs through a local auto supply house who gets them for me for about the same price they charge for plugs used in cars. (NGK's for $2.00). They usually have to order them and I pick them up the next day. I usually have them order me several sets. I place the spare set in a ziplock bag and place them in the engine compartment of my o/bs. I check the gap first.

I also change the lower unit fluid at the same time. Buy the oil by the qt at West Marine Prod. for usually what you pay for a 10 oz tube.

Giz...

[WaterDog]

1) Grease your wheel bearings every trip out and carry a spare set. I carry a grease gun in the boat and give each wheel 4 or 5 pumps before I leave the ramp. Lost a set of bearings last year, cost $400 to replace the entire axle plus a strained back!

2) Change your mono fishing line at LEAST once a year.

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EAT, SLEEP, FISH!

[First Bite]

Good idea for a post Gizmo. I have a tip that would be good for all fisherman whether you're fishing from a boat or banking it. Carry a pair of needle nose pliers with you at all times. When releasing a native fish, you can dislodge the hook without touching the fish or bringing it out of the water.
Mark

[Lilcorky]

You can buy your oil ( Quick Silver) for your boat at Costco cheaper than any other place I know. Save a empty pint or two of your old oil and the Costco oil comes in a gallon size. By haveing the pint to measure the oil out using the formula 2.7 ounces to the gallon you can measure what ever you need for 1 to 6 gallons and be assured that you are not too lean with the used pint container.

[garyk]

Great topic and super tips. Mine are a little more basic:

1. Fish during the weekdays if possible and avoid the crowds.

2.Carry a cell phone for emergencies, if you don't have a radio.

3. Before launching, double-check that drainplug!

Here's one you probably haven't heard before, and it depends on how important maximizing your catch is for a pleasurable day of fishing. It used to be paramount to me. Now it's not and that's more relaxing. But if you are a real good fishermen and max catch equates to enjoyment I suggest going either with other really good fishermen or much less experienced fishers that will take your better suggestions to catch fish (as with guide's clients). Many of the in-between guys that have gotten decent at catching fish but haven't learned the refined intracacies think they know it well enough now and don't want to be told of a better bait/lure or better presentation option so aren't told anymore; maybe because it bothers their pride. So the boat doesn't catch as many fish as in the other 2 scenarios; although they have their challenges too. The solution is to put the max catch importance behind enjoying the company, scenery, and relaxation. It's difficult to get to that point for many. - RT

[This message has been edited by RT (edited 09-28-2000).]

[happybrew]

Here's my tip: when fishing with small children, bring along something to keep them occupied if the fish aren't biting. Small children have very little patience, and what could otherwise be a pleasant trip can turn into ugly if the parent is not prepared. We usually bring my son's microscope so if the fish aren't biting, they can look at all the bugs in the water. Other good things to bring are coloring books, binoculars, favorite toys, frisbees, or balls. Don't bring a lot of stuff, or it will distract them from the fishing. Just one or two things tucked away out of sight, then when they whine "There's no fish in here! We're not going to catch anything!" you have something else for them to do until the fish do start biting.

happybrew

Great post idea Giz! - Some more miscellaneous things for a more pleasurable fishing trip: Get fishing reports and plan a fun strategy, set 2 alarms so fishing partners aren't left waiting (especially if a good anchor spot is needed), bring the appropriate clothes/raingear to stay comfortable, same for food and drink, keep all boat and fishing gear in good operating condition, wear lifejackets where it's a good idea, MOVE around if you are in a dead slow fishing area for a long period of time (I've fished in guy's boats who will sit all day in an utter deadhorse situation because they are too lazy or unmotivated to get up after it; despite suggestions - UGH), SHARE fish caught, SHARE at least gas expenses, and try to keep an upbeat attitude. Lots of other things out there .... - RT

[Pilar]

Boat maintained, for sure. Entertaining kids?, try this. Crabbing. My daughter still talks about her guppy crabbin trips, 2/3 of her life ago. There's lots to do and you always catch something.

The other real winner is sturgeon. You can target the size with your location. Kids love to catch fish and they will if you target shakers.

Most important though, is the example you set when you let the little ones (fish or crab) go free. The kids will follow your example without even realizing it. You will be establishing a habit of respect for the resource by demonstrating it.

RT, I'd rather take a guppy fishing over any other. They're just so darn lucky. You're right about the semi experienced too. I have a hard time learning something new because I'm so sure about what I'm doing now.

Don't forget to fresh water flush the motor after the saltchuck. And run it completely out of gas before a storage period.

The bend is your friend!

[Osprey]

Laugh alot bring good snacks
always invite RT and don't predict a fish in the next slot it will haunt you for a long time

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Row quietly and fish a Cataraft !!-------<'))>><

[PeterMac]

While fishing with BOE this weekend, he pulls out a little propane BBQ and whips up a few hot dogs out on the water. Then we popped open a few clams we dug that morning and cooked them up too. It beat the sandwiches we had hands down.

Got one for my boat yesterday at GI Joes on sale for $14.95. A must have.

PeterMac yum yum

[cureless]

Driftboat fishing with kid's (same applies for adults)Not much room in the boat so bring alot of treats, food. Never thought Id say it but "Gameboy" handheld video game. Equiped with a fishing game your never skunked. (Black Bass on the Trask?)

Last but not least dress warm and buy your kids good raingear and boots. I tell newbies spend as much on raingear as you do on pole reel and gear combined, can't fish if your soaked to the bone no mater how much that loomis cost.

I know kids grow and its hard springing for new raingear every year. I know people who ski with kids and spend way more on that sport and trade gear each year. I have two boys so raingear gets used twice.

With kid's its also nice to catch some fish ever so often.
(I may need some professional help on this one)

PS: My opinion but one trip with a guide/expert/RT is equal to several years fishing (floundering)on your own. Not so costly if you look at it that way.

Mike (cureless)

[TideWater]

Here are my two.

Wash your hands. In the river with gravel if not in a sink with soap.

Bring lots of beer

[dawhunt]

Here's my tip : After doing everything above get off your computer go to the river with your fishing equipment and ejoy what god gave us.Catching a fish is just a bonus.

P.S. OH YEA: Take a friend or better yet take your son or daughter and share the wealth !!!!
Bob Dawson

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Bob Dawson

[Gizmo Man]

Great Ideas Folks, glad it caught on.

Before you go on a trip talk with your partner so you know what you are fishing for and how you are going after the target. Nothing worse than showing up with bonedoggling gear and he wants to pull plugs.

Also discuss how much time you will spend on the trip. You think part of the day, he thinks all day and has food/drink, you have none.

Finally, I like to learn new things when fishing. Like RT elluded to, that sometimes two experienced fisherman are not as productive as they are not working as a team. Personalites or pride gets in the way.
I try to remember that if I invite someone in my boat they are not my prisioner for the day. I believe that 1/2 the trip is theirs if they are paying 1/2 the expenses. I ask them what they'd like to do or try. I also let them run the boat for a while if they are qualified.

I have a great fishing partner, Jeff, who unfortunatly has to work and raise a faimily so we only get to fish about 1x a month. He helps with the boat, anticipates what needs to be done, and stays alert when I have to re-rig and the boat is floating down the river. We try to share information on what works and doesn't.

Good communications makes a good trip and remember that it's a fishing trip to have fun and learn. And if the fish aren't biting don't take it out on the world or blame your partner for having a banna in the boat.

Giz...

[HOGTIDE]

Don't give in to man induced pressure(i.e.)if the tide starts to run at 10am and the fish won't bite til 11am, don't join the high pressure crowd at the ramp at 5am. Show up 'tuned in' to the tide, launch at an uncrowded ramp. Stay til the tide bottoms out. The early pressure crowd will be gone when you take out, and you'll have fish in the boat from that final half hour of run off and ebb.

Ask your kids to bring a pal with them for fast conservation during slow fishing.

Always be nice to the dummy in the fiberglass boat that trolls over your anchor rope...he honestly didn't know.

[Salmonator]

I keep an am/fm radio in the boat, nice to have for long periods of anchor fishing. A small tool kit with extra sparkplugs. Crayons and colorbooks. And put more gas in the tank than you think you will use, then put in another 10 bucks!!

HEY, where were my colorbooks and crayons last week?

[This message has been edited by RT (edited 09-29-2000).]

[Salmonator]

RT, I figured you were 2 or 3 years out of the color crayon stage so I left them at home!

[ryan fish]

When anchoring in fast water be sure to have a sharp knife handy in case of a emergency.It only takes a minute and you could be under.
Ryanfish

[MoJet Driver]

If you are going crabbing, invite some one along that has a strong back, weak mind and they possess absolutely no talent when it comes to driving the boat. Make them pull the pots or traps.

For some unknown reason, crabs caught with this formula seem to taste better.

[Mr. Fisherman]

Great Topic!

Prepare for the worst conditions and bring enough to share.

Put a couple of extra snacks to share on the trip, and always share the expenses and the catch.

Just my $.02


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Live to Fish
Fish to Live

[Salmonslayer2]

This is one of the most important tips. One of the ways that make life enjoyable is the great outdoors. Don't trash your rivers. Streams, oceans, forest, streets etc. When you go camping, fishing or hunting pack a garbage bag with you. Fill it up with your garbage and any garbage you find. Leave your area cleaner then the way you found it. I know you would like to have a clean area to come to, do the same for others. I have always hated to go fishing and see trash. Its not that hard to pick it up when you leave. If you see someone leave a mess tell them to pack it home with them.