General Fishing Trip Tips, Not Tactics Or Techniques.

[Rhino68W]

    I'm hoping to start an ongoing thread concerning fishing trip tips. Like things to bring with that most people might not think of. I know a lot of people have their own little methods of doing things that could help other fishermen out there.

 

    For example, I saw in one video where the fisherman took the line coming from his spinning reel and wrapped it around the rod a couple times to prevent his rods from getting tangled up. Things of that nature.

 

How to store lures, what to bring with you, pre-trip checklists, things to look out for. All tips not related to tactics on the water.

[Catch and Grease]

Toilet paper, Bio-Degradable would be best haha

[MarkH024]

Bug spray, flashlight, emergency medical kit, sunblock, food, water, extra clothes, rain gear. Anything to keep you alive in the most extreme circumstances.

[Raul]

Toilet paper, Bio-Degradable would be best haha

 

One of the best tips ever !

[Catch and Grease]

Bring an extra plug if its a boat trip also... You never know!

[Raul]

Bring an extra plug if its a boat trip also... You never know!

 

Been there done that, once I had to return home because I forgot the plug, now I have one in the boat in the drain hole, an extra one tied to one of the boat handles and, just in case, another one in the glove compartment of my truck. 3 is better than one !

[A-Jay]

Before you leave - tell someone (reliable / dependable) where you are going (exactly including which and where the boat ramp you plan on using is located) and when you'll be back. 

 

Provide this person with a complete (written - don't ask them to commit this to memory) description of you boat, motor, Truck & trailer; including registration. 

 

Provide them with the number (or numbers) of which Federal / State &/or local authorities they should call if you do not return as scheduled.

 

 If you have Any Change of Plans - Call them and up date your plan !

 

It's called a Float Plan - it's saved many a life and sadly, the lack of one, has cost some too.

 

A-Jay

[Brian6428]

Slow down!

This applies to nearly everything. Take your time hitching up the trailer, tying on your lures, launching the boat etc. you're more likely to forget things when you rush, and when fishing bottom bouncing baits the slower you go the more fish you will catch!

[papajoe222]

Zip Lock Bags in different sizes. They'll save your I-phone, the contents of your wallet, even your biodegradable toilet tissue.  The're not just for sandwiches Leroy.

 

If it's a fishing trip, learn how to use the hook removal tactic and keep a loop of 60# braid or equivelent in your first aid kit.

 

An extra pair of sunglasses or saftey glasses for use when fishing whether it's sunny or cloudy.

 

A good set of 12ft. jumper cables. Keep 'em in your car year round and take them with you in your boat every time out, or get a set for the boat too.

 

A tube of silicone for repairs to anything from your luggage to your boat's cover. Curing time is a little slow, but the repairs are waterproof and coating wire connections will keep them from corroding. Gorilla Glue will handle most things it won't.

[bostonsox2904]

http://i.imgur.com/B3Q1S95.jpg

[ABW]

I don't trust plastic bags because I always end up getting a hole in one. I'll usually put my phone and all the other essentials in one of the Plano waterproof boxes

[Skeeter Dan]

Before you leave - tell someone (reliable / dependable) where you are going (exactly including which and where the boat ramp you plan on using is located) and when you'll be back. 

 

Provide this person with a complete (written - don't ask them to commit this to memory) description of you boat, motor, Truck & trailer; including registration. 

 

Provide them with the number (or numbers) of which Federal / State &/or local authorities they should call if you do not return as scheduled.

 

 If you have Any Change of Plans - Call them and up date your plan !

 

It's called a Float Plan - it's saved many a life and sadly, the lack of one, has cost some too.

 

A-Jay

Because of my health issues. My wife worries about me alot. I always fish by myself, This is a must.  Make sure your phone is fully charged also. MarkHO24 FORGOT an important item. Some thing to start a fire with. Matches or lighter.

[Rhino68W]

The hooks on a safety pin is very clever! And fire starters are great to have nearby.

[WRB]

Putting your gear away is just as important as greeting it ready.

My routine is take everything off whatever rods I used that outing, back off the drags, check the line foe any damage and tie a slip knot loop to put over the reel, snug the line down, roll round the rod guides and put on the expando sleeve rod glove. Next I layer the rods in the locker between Terry towels for added cushioning. If anything needs repair, it goes in last so it's on top.

Put all the lures and terminal tackle back where it was, through away damaged hooks or soft plastics in a trash can.

Wipe my boat down so it's dry and clean before leaving the parking lot. Check to be sure the boat and trailer is road ready, all gear secured. Electronics removed and secured in a cushioned locker, cables tied down with rubber bands to prevent wind damage. I use RAM ball quick mounts for the sonar units.

I am ready for the next outing when the boat and trailer are back home, all I need to do is plug in the onboard charger.

Tom

[Bankbeater]

Take an extra pair of shoes with you. If your fishing in winter take an extra set of clothes and an extra coat.

[BassinLou]

Great tips everyone. I don't think if it was mentioned yet. A toolbox with the essential marine tools. Also extra fuses. Spare trolling motor blade and extra prop if you have one. 

[RonnieGarrison]

I put my plastics in 2 gallon zip loc bags, according to type, and lable them with an indelible marker. Also bring some fingernail polish in different colors - can add a dot of red or some other color or change the color of a crankbait quickly.  Red fingernail polish saved a Top Six tournament for me  years ago when the bass insisted the Rat L  Trap have some red on it and I didn't have any with any red in my box!

[A-Jay]

Boat trailer thoughts.

 

Check your spare routinely.

 

Loosen the lug nuts and retighten them to correct torque BY HAND; especially if you have your trailer serviced by an establishment the uses an air gun.  You'll be glad to know you can do it with hand tools if you need to on the road.

 

Single axle trailers owners might like one of these.  A sturdy wooded plank of sufficient length to accommodate the travel of the jack will come in handy on soft surfaces.

http://www.amazon.com/Shoreline-Marine-Easy-Lift-Jack/dp/B004UOVDYO/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1408908444&sr=8-1-fkmr1&keywords=Easy+Lift+Trailer+Axle+Jack#cm_cr_dpwidget

 

Tandem axle trailer owners might like one of these ~

http://www.amazon.com/Trailer-Aid-Tandem-Tire-Changing/dp/B000I4JPZE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1408907904&sr=8-1&keywords=Easy+Lift+Trailer+Axle+Jack

 

A-Jay

 

 

 

[BassinLou]

Boat trailer thoughts.

 

Check your spare routinely.

 

Loosen the lug nuts and retighten them to correct torque BY HAND; especially if you have your trailer serviced by an establishment the uses an air gun.  You'll be glad to know you can do it with hand tools if you need to on the road.

 

Single axle trailers owners might like one of these.  A sturdy wooded plank of sufficient length to accommodate the travel of the jack will come in handy on soft surfaces.

http://www.amazon.com/Shoreline-Marine-Easy-Lift-Jack/dp/B004UOVDYO/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1408908444&sr=8-1-fkmr1&keywords=Easy+Lift+Trailer+Axle+Jack#cm_cr_dpwidget

 

Tandem axle trailer owners might like one of these ~

http://www.amazon.com/Trailer-Aid-Tandem-Tire-Changing/dp/B000I4JPZE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1408907904&sr=8-1&keywords=Easy+Lift+Trailer+Axle+Jack

 

A-Jay

 

I will  also like to add, make sure you grease the bearings often, especially during long road trips. That EZ trailer jack is one handy tool. I recently purchased one and its so easy to use. I keep it in my truck. 

[Sam]

Sun screen.

Extra reels rigged and ready to be switched out.

Dental floss.

Money for ramp fee.

Knowledge of other state's boating and fishing laws.

GPS so you can find the motel and ramp plus restaurants, grocery stores and tackle shops.

Charge cords to recharge cell phone at night.

Main suggestion is to go into your man cave, sit down, close your eyes and just run through all aspects of your trip to be sure you don't forget anything. You will be surprised at the items you may have overlooked.

[frogflogger]

All good suggestions - successful fishing is mostly between ones ears - so the more organized and simplified your gear is the more clearly you can concentrate on actually fishing.

[Rhino68W]

One of my buddies just told me a good one.

Always be extra cautious with your rods. The never tend to break when your using them, but the minute that get caught on a door frame they snap like a piece of chalk.

[SirSnookalot]

Having several wilderness trips under my belt in remote areas of Ontario, IMO fire is the #1 thing to have with you.  2 or 3 people in canoe with tent and sleeping bags does not leave much room for a lot of equipment.  Several disposable lighters each one kept in a different water proof container and stored in different locations.  Basic cooking utensils and a pot to make your water potable.  Setting up camp is priority #1, dig your latrine a good distance from your campsite.  I'd have a map of the area and a compass, first aid kit and 1 meal per day of freeze dried food.

Don't go during black fly season, I learned that one the hard way.

[FrogFreak]

Great suggestions from everyone. While I fish from my Kayak, I bring a small tupperware container that I velcro in place. I use it when I swap out plastics or lures and it hold my braid scissors, pliers etc. At the end of the day, I just take out the items that are still usable and put them in my tackle box. It saves me time and headaches. Also, an extra pair of pliers is essential. Just last weekend I dropped my primary set of pliers overboard.

 

And in the case of a Kayak, I always carry a collapsible oar as a back up.