Tips, Tricks and Money saving Ideas Sticky Post

What do you guys think about starting a sticky post just for money saving ideas tips and fishing tips?

Examples:

Taking a coffee can or plastic bucket, cutting a whole in the bottom the right size to fit over your seat post then sliding it down to the deck and using it as a tool and misc stuff holder

or

I like to fill up 20oz soda or water bottles with water and freeze them. Then when I get out on the water I use the frozen bottles to help keep every thing in my cooler cold. When the ice starts to melt you have ice cold water to drink and the best thing is I can place one or two bottles in the live wells to help cool them.

or

Freshwater chum: When I was fishing high pressure lakes in NC I would chum the hole if you will. My left over dead minnows I would grind up with a little tuna oil or whatever I found cheap (old or cheap fish attractant) adding in a little dry dog food, molasses (optional: expensive but slows the rate of thaw) , and hay or straw then freeze. When i would head out fishing I would run out to my spots a drop a few frozen chucks. Then would fish those spots later in the day. It seemed to both bring in the fish and also keep them there over time almost like a feed plot for deer. I havent tried it here because it doesnt seem to work well in rivers with running water. You can also hang over the side while night fishing in a burlap sack. Might try it on BM or WB.

Just a thought guys I am one to never stop learning and want to pass on everything I can to help others.

Mike

Excellent idea!

Want to save your money, don't take up fishing or hunting lol!

I also use frozen water bottles in the summer.

When I was younger, I had a laminated "check off list" to use before I left on a fishing trip. It had things like , check trailer tires, lights, tongue latch and chains. Boat: oil, gas, rods, tackle, DF , cooler, ice, ETC, ETC. I am finding I really need another now, I left DF at home last trip to Anna!
I blame it on meds,, because I know its not age ... :biggrinAnyone got one they would care to post??

BTW, I use frozen bottle on crappie boat, but in SW boat I use 3 frozen milk jugs for Ice in fish cooler( at least one normally 2, gallon jugs of ice is busted up to help keep fish colder). Has been many a hot day, when other beverages on board just wouldn't do-- that I hold jug over the side of boat- washing off fish slime/blood, to get a drink of ICE COLD water!

If we can get some more participation here I would be glad to make it a sticky. In the summer time when it is hot I do similar to what Charlie said. I take several bottles of frozen water and keep one in the minnow bucket. When it thaws out I replace it with another and now have very cold water to drink. You can keep the minnows alive all day doing this regardless of temperature.

One of the things Corker taught me--- Take a magic marker and put lines around your cork/bobber. ( like bumble bee stripes) This help you notice more subtle strikes when they are hitting very light, and even when they are "pushing cork up".

Got tired of chasing my drink bottle around on the deck so strapped a PVC coupling to the post of my rod holders. (soda can in a huggie takes a 3 inch and a 16 oz plastic water bottle takes a 2 inch) When in doubt take a sample drink with you to verify prior to purchase.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by HeyCharlie

BTW, I use frozen bottle on crappie boat, but in SW boat I use 3 frozen milk jugs for Ice in fish cooler( at least one normally 2, gallon jugs of ice is busted up to help keep fish colder). Has been many a hot day, when other beverages on board just wouldn't do-- that I hold jug over the side of boat- washing off fish slime/blood, to get a drink of ICE COLD water!

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I learned this from Corker: he one-upped the frozen bottle of water: Fill up a bottle with lake water for next time, then freeze it. When you put it in the minnow bucket, take the top off and release cold, fresh, oxygen-laden lake water into the bucket.

Here is something a friend of mine did to his boat. Yes he is a bass guy but would be good for crappie jigs etc..

His instructions:

So I went to Lowe's and grabbed just a few items, namely 2 pcs of Aluminum corner brackets and some safety pin hook clasps. In all, the materials for the bait racks i made probably ran me anywhere from $7-10. You could go online and purchase same systems for $12-20 depending on brand, but I like to build and manufacture whenever I can! If you're not handy with a drill, I would suggest going to The Bait Bar - Tackle Storage System and ordering a set already assembled.

For the project I used:

2 - 36” aluminum brackets
24 - wire safety pin hook clasps
11 - 3/4" self-tapping screws (SS if subject to moisture/humidity)

Basically, I created 3 bait racks. I kept one piece at 36” and cut the other into two (2) 18” pcs. For the 36” rack I measured out 12 equally spaced hook slots and drilled holes in the aluminum on one edge, then drilled 5 equally spaced holes for the screws. The support bars in my compartment lids are metal so it was easy to drill with the self-tapping screws once I got past the carpet.

Did the same for the two (2) 18” racks, measuring 6 equally spaced holes for the hooks, and three (3) equally spaced holes for the screws and voila! I painted the bars with a Rustoleum auto finish paint, mostly because I thought the paint would adhere to the metal better, plus it’s a fine spray from the can. Of course metal on metal scratches, and I don’t expect the paint around the hook holes to last very long, but it’s a rough job anyway!

Attachment 120490Attachment 120491Attachment 120492

Quote:

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Originally Posted by HeyCharlie

One of the things Corker taught me--- Take a magic marker and put lines around your cork/bobber. ( like bumble bee stripes) This help you notice more subtle strikes when they are hitting very light, and even when they are "pushing cork up".

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That what this http://s7d5.scene7.com/is/image/BassPro/1210121035_is for. With the proper counterweight of split shot, a Minor tick will put it on its side. Its so easy I quit using live bait....

heres a money saving tip. Instead of buying a $30 net made of rubber or what have you, buy a $6 green net, wooden handle crab net. It floats and your hooks dont stick into the material. http://wac.450f.edgecastcdn.net/8045...bing-in-jj.jpg Joke all you want, I've had mine in the boat for 4 years now.

many do like smaller pencil corks, I found that I like 3" cigar foam corks http://www.basspro.com/Bass-Pro-Shop...duct/10210538/ for many reasons. But main one is they "BOB" around more than the thin ones, I find this "Jigs the bait" seems to out fish rigs that use pencil corks ( that's in same boat or area). They can also take more lead- so they can be cast further.
They will tilt to side when lightly hit also, but adding stripe does help us that may not see as well as we used too. ( Sometimes I can't even see the pencil thin ones)

This is a tip on lakes with standing timber like our suffolk lakes. I take a broken wammy pole and attach a hook on the end with black tape. I use a coat hanger. Saves on jigs and retieing.

This tip is for when you get your jig hungup either under the boat or out away from you on a limb you can't reach with your rod tip.We take a bass sinker with the brass clip on the top(We like 1/2 oz) take a paper clip (the smaller the better) run it through the eye of the brass clip.When you get your jig hungup you put the paper clip on your line let it fall down the line to your jig shake a couple times retrieve your jig and your jig knocker!!! saves a lot of jigs!!!! carry a couple of these in your pocket.Takes a little time but worth it!!! We show these on our web site easy to make!!!

With gas prices the way they are try this: Instead of running wide open all day ease off and run at 3000 to 4000 rpms. It will vary from boat to boat and motor to motor, but somewhere within that range will be the optimal fuel efficiency at which to run. Depending on the size of the fuel tank, that can translate to 30 to 50 miles more per tank of fuel than if it were run wide open. That can be another two days of fishing without filling up.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by HeyCharlie

many do like smaller pencil corks, I found that I like 3" cigar foam corks Bass Pro Shops® Foam Peg Floats | Bass Pro Shops for many reasons. But main one is they "BOB" around more than the thin ones, I find this "Jigs the bait" seems to out fish rigs that use pencil corks ( that's in same boat or area). They can also take more lead- so they can be cast further.
They will tilt to side when lightly hit also, but adding stripe does help us that may not see as well as we used too. ( Sometimes I can't even see the pencil thin ones)

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I use the slip cork version of that cork....love it....

For those who have problems with line twist on there spinning reels, heres what I do to fix the problem. After adding new line by spooling it the same way it comes of the spool of line. I take the rod and reel out side and I pull adout 100 feet of line off the reel, then let it lay on the ground, then by putting a little pressure on the line with fingers I wind the reel back up, this takes all the twist out or if it keeps happening while on the water let it drag behind the boat without a lure while running. you will have less trouble casting and dealing with the twist.

Tired of rats nest when casting your spinning rig. Manually close the bail right before the bait hits the water. No more rats nests. It takes some getting use to but eventually you will do it without even thinking about it.

Line and money saver: Instead of changing your line completely when you think it's time, if there is plenty of line left on the reel, tie off to something and remove it all by backing off. Then re-tie the used end to the spool and rewind the line back on. You basically have unused line on the other end. Can get most of the twist out at the same time if you apply pressure with a damp wash cloth or paper towel while re-spooling.

my grandsons have been making bobbers ......all I got to add is pool noodle and drink mixing straws....you can go on youtube and look the rest up ,,Link I think not needed...you can carve and make into any size or shape bucks saved ......