Tackle Wise for 2010 Pt. 4 "Out with the Old and In with the New!"

~Gear and Accessories~

By now, you've noticed a theme here for the month of January. We've talked about the lines, the tackle box and being organized, we discussed the importance of maintaining your lures and keeping hooks sharp and your rods and reels ready and working.

Now lets look at a few accessories you may or may not have and discuss the versatility and applications for each item. Starting with the trusty weight scale. Ah yes, the age old argument... "it was 6lbs", "no! more like 4" if these folks had a scale they could easily settle their dispute.

Fish weigh scales come in all shapes and sizes, but finding the one that's right for you is more about preference and cost. There's the spring scale light weight and easy to transport, however it may not offer the weight capacity you need and not be as accurate as needed either. For the novice weekend angler a spring scale fits the bill.

Digital scales have come along "weigh". Nowadays you can find affordable, durable compact models like the Berkley 35lb scale part of their TEC product line. It offers a Nonslip SofTorx™ handle for easier control of big fish. Also, unique front and back LED screens, (one for you and the rival) a free-swinging hook for easier handling of big active fish and has an impressive Instant weight, 1/10th of 1% accuracy, and automatic culling capability it comes all wrapped up in a weather-proof fitted case. You're the angler you know what species of fish you're after so commonsense is key, using the right tool for the job is all part of being tackle wise. Let's move on.

A Fishing Journal, don't worry folks I'm not going to go all Dr. Phil on you and tell you to write down your feelings during your fishing trips. But a handy tool to have is an anglers journal believe it or not. it allows you the ability to record certain information like, weather, time, date, water temp, water color, lure, technique(fly/spinning) how many fish caught, size/length, weight( good thing you brought your scale) and who/how many friends were with you, etc.

Keeping a detailed journal of your fishing trips no matter how successful they are or aren't is part of being tackle wise, and will become a reference tool later on and help you become a better angler. Being able to see what and where you went wrong or right also teaching you about fish and how they reacted to weather patterns, and water temperatures and clarity. Eventually you'll be able to use your journal as a cross-reference tool while you're fishing and land that trophy that eluded you on previous trips.

Lastly, I would like to take a look at landing nets. Either from a boat or from shore a landing net is a handy tool to have when fishing. For the novice and the seasoned angler alike the use of a landing net is important in decreasing the mortality rate of the fish if you are practicing catch and release. Also using a landing net enables you to "land" the fish. I can't imagine a more frustrating scenario then having the fish get off the hook right at the side of the boat and it was one for the photo album, in that instant you may as well chalk that fish up to "the one that got away". Again there's a right tool for the job here so if you don't already have a landing net get one, make sure it's not too big and not too small, and you'll be "landing" fish like a pro in no time using a landing net helps you weigh the fish and record it's information in your handy journal; which is all part of being Tackle-Wise in 2010 and having the right gear and accessories will help give you THE OFFENSIVE EDGE! Until next time folks I'm Ben McWhinney wishing you all tight lines and trophy fishing!

Tackle-Wise Pt.3 Out with the Old, In with the New ~Rods and Reels

RODS:
The fishing rod, considered by some anglers to be their double edged sword, but how sharp is it? When it comes to being Tackle-Wise taking a good look at your fishing rod is where it starts. Look at the rod and the glue/epoxy wrap does it appear stressed? See any fracture lines, or off color or clouding. Chances are you may break your rod at one of these weak points/fractures or near the guide or break off one of the guides themselves on that next big hook set.

Being Tackle-Wise in 2010 is also about paying attention to the guides themselves. Guides are made from various materials; Steel, Aluminum Oxide, or Nickel Titanium. Your rod guides are designed to allow your line to travel through them with little or no friction.

However lines such as braid can over time wear down your guides, literally scoring them. This score mark can cause you a lot of problems if you don't notice it in time. Eventually your guide can crack and become very abrasive to other lines like nylon, and fluorocarbon. Also your rod tip guide can become damaged easily by quickly reeling your lure right up to the rod tip. Some of you reading this may be saying " oh that's why my line keeps breaking off on hook sets" well yes and no. If your guides are good and have no nicks or cracks in them, then it's your line or your knot. If you have a fresh spool of line on and your guides are damaged then you've solved your mystery.

Having a tackle store that does rod repair can save you some money if you only have one or two guides that need attention, like re wrapping or replacement depending on the guides you have on your rod. Some manufacturers have warranties that cover guide damage and replacement again saving you the burden of dishing out the cash to replace your rod with a new one.

Being Tackle-Wise and following the Out with the Old and in with the New motto towards your favorite fishing pole and giving it the attention it deserves will help give you THE OFFENSIVE EDGE. Well that's enough about the rod segment let's move onto the reel portion.




The fishing reel, considered by some to be the most important part of the rod-reel combo It's the "workhorse", the winch that hauls in those trophies. But what should you do if that "horse" ever fails you, turf it and get a new one? Of coarse not! Unless of course you have the means to do so then by all means don't let me stop you.


For those of us who don't let me help you become Tackle-Wise towards your reel so you save some cash and still reap the benefits the ole' work horse provides. Generally we take our vehicles in for a spring tune up, or at least should, well just like our vehicles so should our reels go in for routine tune ups. In fact some manufactures offer it as part of their purchase program for a small fee.

Now regardless that the box your reel came in contained a detailed exploded-view schematic of your reel, you should never do any maintenance yourself, unless you have been properly trained in the assembly stage and have a finite understanding of the inner-workings of fishing reels.

This schematic is more so for the trained professional, but it also can help you understand the parts of your reel and pinpoint the trouble area so you can bring it in to your tackle provider for warranty or service work.

Any worn out or broken parts of your reel should not be ignored, and your tackle provider will be glad to assist you in getting your reel repaired, and tuned up so that you can enjoy the season ahead. Taking care of your most important tools in your fishing arsenal YOUR "SWORD" AND YOUR "WORK HORSE"is all part of being Tackle-Wise and also helps give you THE OFFENSIVE EDGE! Until next time I'm Ben McWhinney wishing all of you tight lines and trophy fishing!

Tackle-Wise Pt. 2 Out with the Old, In with the New!

We discussed the importance of organized tackle, now I'd like to talk about the tackle itself. Let's start with the line you have on your reels. Ever notice the amount of lures and fish you lose when fishing the same line you had on last season? That's right your line is cooked. Small abrasions and nicks in the line have weakened it. Not to mention UV rays, temperature, etc.

You fish braided line you say, well look again, see that faded color, that's the sign of fatigue and abrasion. Bottom line, strip it, or change it! Low diameter lines like braid, offer maximum yardage on a spool, so strip off the first 30yards and check the line if you still have a generous supply of line on your spool and you have fresh looking line go ahead and tie on your fluorocarbon leader and your ready for the new season.

Another option is to strip it off and re-spool it backwards on your reel using your old leader as backing, cut off the original backing and tie on a new fluorocarbon leader and once again your back in business. The second option works well for both spinning and level-wind reels. Monofiliment and fluorocarbon lines retain memory so do yourself a favour and replace the line. It's pennies a yard so it's definitely cheaper by the dozen.

Hooks if they're rusty, bent, or broken turf them. That goes for all hooks. Check the sharpness of your crank bait hooks by placing your thumb first and second finger on each side of the treble hook, gently squeeze at the points and release repeatedly, if it sticks to your fingers it's sharp, if not it's junk so replace it.

Along with crank bait hooks, also check your split rings, any signs of extreme stress or stretched looking rings should be pitched and replaced. Split rings play an important role in your terminal tackle,so don't over look them.

Taking care of your lines will ensure solid hook sets, and line strength to put another fish in the boat, as well, proper hook and split ring care will again guarantee those solid hook sets to keep that next fish on your line.

Paying close attention to these few but crucial areas will help give you THE OFFENSIVE EDGE. Until next time I'm Ben McWhinney wishing you all tight lines and trophy fishing!

Next topic in this series: Out with the Old, In with the New: "Rods and Reels"

Getting Tackle-Wise for 2010 Pt.1 Out with the Old in with the New! The Tackle Box.

We've all heard the expression out with the old in with the new as we enter into a new year. As anglers we make the same old promises and resolutions as years gone by but how many of us have actually made one and made it stick. One of the most important resolutions or promises I can make and suggest you make is become Tackle-Wise in 2010. Allow me to pontificate poetically if you will.

Does your tackle box resemble this or even remotely come close then it's time to get tackle-wise. What I mean is simply this; organization and cleanliness is crucial to success. If you can't find it you aren't fishing, housekeeping issues should never take up your time on the water.

Unfortunately for most anglers and myself included have been guilty of doing the tackle box shuffle, organizing and cleaning. Losing valuable time fishing and learning new territory, fishing styles, etc.

Let's promise ourselves little things in 2010 like, all my crank baits will go in the same box, spinner baits and buzz baits in the same box, and for gosh sakes at least have one type of soft baits organized IE: a box of senkos, a box of tubes, etc. So that eventually all your boxes will be as organized as this one.

One thing I suggest to the anglers that I encounter when I see them lugging the tool chest style tackle box; is to get a soft sided tackle box with multiple storage containers, they give you the advantage of seeing what lures you have and stores them easily.

For example my soft sider is nothing more then a back pack that holds 5 Flambeau 6544HP "Tuff Tainer" boxes. I use one for hooks and weights, another for tubes, then I have my drop-shot weights & lures, one for senkos, and I even have a special box that I keep relatively organized , that I call my "spread box".

I call it that because anytime I go out and I catch 10 fish on a new lure it goes in this reserved box. It's kinda like my go to box when conditions are off, or get tough I can always count on one of those lures in there to put a fish in the boat.

Being organized and being tackle-wise in 2010 will free up your time on the water allowing you to spend more time fishing, which in turn will give you THE OFFENSIVE EDGE. Until next time, this is Ben McWhinney wishing you all tight lines and trophy fishing!

Happy New Year! 2010 Kicks off with the Spring Fishing and Boat Show

Hey folks I just want to wish you all a Happy and Healthy 2010. I also have a gently reminder for all you anglers and outdoor enthusiasts alike in and around the GTA the SPRING FISHING AND BOAT SHOW is slowly approaching here's the skinny!



Be sure to check out the seminars at the mega-tank!

For more information visit www.springfishingandboatshow.com

T.O.E would like to thank Andy Pallotta for another great show.