school project- input needed

[hillbillyhooker]

hey guys,

sorry glen didnt really know where to post this.

well guys i would like to ask your help on somthing that i am working on for school. i could probably get by with out any help but it would really helpful if i could get some help from the guys on the site...

well i was told today that i will need to have a 5-8 min. demenstrative speech ready to go by friday. so i thought all hour and thought of somthing that i could do that comes natural to me (anything that i could intertwine with my passion i usually try to go for it)...so i decided to do "how to be prepared for the up and coming fishing season" and or "how to make the up and coming season, the most productive season before it even gets started" catch my drift guys??? i hope so... any way i would like to ask you guys some of the things that you do durring your "off season" or just the pieriod that you dont fish as mutch...lol in preperation for the next season... i have just started makeing my log and i have changed all cb hooks... i mean...i am not very expirenced so i thought you guys would be able to help me out a little bit.... i hope i have givin' you enough info... any thing helps...thanks alot guys...

                                                Thank you again...       hillbilly

[KU_Bassmaster.]

Clean and lube all my reels

Change Line

Clean cork handles on my rods

Try to come up with a better way to store my tackle :

Search high and low for topo maps of my lakes that I fish on the internet unsucessfully >

Here's another suggestion (I personally did this for a demonstartive speech).  Show how to tie different fishing knots and the advantages or uses of each.  For visual purposes I used a about a 3" ring that I attached foil to, to make it look like a hook.  Then I used some fairly thick rope as fishing line.  I think it would be kind of hard to demonstrate your original topic in my opinion.

[Glenn]

Good place to post this, so no problems here.  Check out the last several articles in the Winter fishing archive here: http://bassresource.com/fishing/seasonal.html#winter

I think that should give you a few ideas.

[nwgabassmaster]

I know that I will be more than willing to help.  As from what I can see, your basic question is what we do during the off-season, which, for me, is during the hunting season, from September until January, and can carry on until February, depending on the weather.

Well, for me, the two most important things are to restock the tackle box, obviously, and to take maintenance on my rods and reels.

So, for the first part, about restocking the tackle box, that shouldn't be too hard to grasp.  Of course, I am going to replenish the lost lures that I used, gave away, or misplaced (yes, even that happens to me), and I am also going to take in the idea of adding new lures that might get me another fish or two, during the season.  Take this year for example.  I was using a nice 4 tray soft sided tackle box that the FLW produced, but, I knew that the tackle that was piling up in my truck would not fit, so, I went and bought a bigger tackle system, which has 8 trays, and tons of extra storage.  Also, I have began to replenish the hooks, weights, and lures that I used last year.  Also, I have added Arkie Craw bugs to my arsenal, along with Zoom lizards (I normally use GYCB lizards), and I also bought a box of Edge Lures, Inc. 4" lizards.

As for the second part, the maintenance on the rods and reels, this could be the most important part of each pre-season.  I take a look at the eyes, and make sure that they are not rusting badly, or rusting period.  I take a look and make sure that the rods are not going to break, which involves flexing the shafts, and making sure that the original curve is still there.  The next step is to take the old line off the reel, and to break down the reel.  I will normally go through, and wipe off the old oil from the previous year off, and then, I will put new oil onto the gearings, onto the bearings, etc.  This, in my opinion, ensures that the reel well perform as smoothly as it did the prior season.  Then, I take note of how the reel looks on the inside, if there is rusting, corrosion, or other things that I should take care of.  Once that is taken care of, the reel goes back together, and I add a little drop of oil where the screws go, and I tighten them down.  Also, on baitcasting reels, where the line-lead meets, on the back of the reel, and has the cross-threading.........I will clean that area of old oil, and re-lube that with new oil, and spin the reel a few times, to distribute it properly.  Then, I take a look at the reel seat on the rod, and make sure that any and all debris that have accumulated have been removed, and then, I will generally wipe it down with alcohol, to remove all dirt from the seat, and then, I take a small amount of reel oil, and put that to the threads, and even to the seat.  I believe that when the reel seat and the reel "triggers" meet and are compressed, that the oil forms a bond, that will resist water.  Finally, once the reel is put back onto the rod, I will spin the handle for several rotations, so that I know that the oil on the gears and bearings is properly distributed.  After that, I will respool the reels with the line, and I consider that part done.

Of course, there are other things that I do, as well, which are things that are less noticeable, but things that I do consider important.  For the year prior, I will make myself sit down, and remember which were the biggest fish that I caught, when I caught them, how I caught them, conditions, time of day, etc.  Yes, all this is made easier with a log, which, last year I started to employ.  Anything that I feel I can use to make my next year go better is something that I will certainly entertain, and end up using.  So, basically, going back over old logs of catches will show patterns in the fishing, periods of great fishing and periods of bad fishing, and it also sheds a light to the strengths that I have when fishing.  

The next thing that I do is to take a look at all the hard plugs that I have used, and to examine the finishes on them, the hooks, the bills (if applicable), the line ties, etc., and to make sure that they are all 100% functioning.  If anything has a little rust on it, it gets replaced immediately.  If the hooks are dull, broken, warped, etc., they are repaired or replaced.  If the finish is worn off, and no paint has been damaged, then I will take HARD AS NAILS and I will apply a layer, allow that to dry, lightly sand it, and then, re-apply another layer.  That, in my opinion, ensures that the lure will be water-proof for the coming season, and that it will not be damaged, unless an unforseen big fish decides to destroy it.  If, on my topwater lures, the hair tails have lost their rubber band, I will go and retie it with sewing thread, and I will apply HARD AS NAILS to the tying job, so that it will not come undone.

And, I suppose the last thing that I will do, before the season, and subsequently, before each fishing excursion of importance, is to check to see that all my tackle is organized.  With the new tackle system, the organizational properties have greatly improved, and I feel that I can take a look at the side of each box, and know exactly what is in it.  

Now, when my father and I used to tow our pontoon, especially before the main fishing season, we would check the tires of the trailer of the boat, and of the towing vehicle, which was also repeated before each trip.  Also, we would check all electrical circuits from the light connection at the trailer hitch, to the electrical connections onboard the boat.  We would make sure that the engines in both vehicles were properly running and well maintained, by topping off or replacing any fluids, replacing any spark plugs and wires, etc., that needed to be done.  We would make sure that the trailer hitch was suitable for towing purposes, and if there was rust on the ball, it was sanded smooth, and hit up with a quick drying silver paint.  Also, we could check to make sure that the receiver on the trailer was in working order, and that the locking mechanism was fully functioning.  Then, we would go check the safety chains, and ensure that they were trustworthy of being used.  If they were broken, they were replaced.  Also, the plate that accepted the hooks of the chains was checked, and made sure that it was still in good shape, before each trip.  The biggest thing that was checked was to make sure that the tires were properly inflated, to the manufacturer's specs, and that there were no gas leaks, of any kind.  Once all of these were checked off, we were set to go off on another fishing adventure.  For all the bass boat owners, you might wanna make sure the plug is in, as well.

For me, that's about all that I go through, when starting to worry about the upcoming season, and it's getting about that time for the 2006 fishing season to be upon us Georgia boys.  For some, it has already started, and it looks to be a great season ahead.

If you need anything else, hit me up in PM, or e-mail me.  

~ John R. Pulliam

~ Trion, Georgia

[Jeff_NHBA]

Hi Hillbillyhooker,

 Since your assignment is demonstrative in nature, the more you are showing the class how to do something will be better than telling them.  Since fishing is a passion, why not show the class:

1. Your equipment used for fishing:

a. Rod - Explain different types of power and action by showing the class the difference between two different rods, one a MH fast tip and the other M slow.  Tell them why it's not a "one size fits all" application.

b. Reels - Differences and applications of a spinning and baitcasting reel.

c. Line - Show them how to spool a reel with some mono and then bring in some filler spools of other types of line you have on hand if you've got some braid, flouro, etc.

d. Polarized glasses.  You can show the class hoe they filter out horizontal light waves by holding the glasses up to a light and turning them 90 degrees.  The light coming through the lens will change color.

2. Lures - Bring in one of each (crankbait, spinnerbait, plastic, lipless, jerk bait, etc. ) and show them the different retrieve types.  You can explain the different seasonal applications as you are demonstrating.

3. How to cast - if there's room...  You should be able to flip at least.

This should get you in the ball park.  I think you've got the right idea talking about something you enjoy.  You'll be surprised how fast five minutes will go by.

Have fun with your assignment.  

 

   

[Will]

I did a demonstration for speech class on flipping and pitching. I went through when to use each technique, rods, reels, line, and tackle. It was good and you can keep the audience awake by dropping a jig on there desk.

[FALCON]

GREAT INFORMATION SHELLBACK!!

[bassinchik]

Another idea would be to check your boat, motors, and trailer.  Are your tires worn? Do you need a new battery? Are your ropes dry-rotting? Check your knots. Just some thoughts.........  

As a retired teacher and principal, I know that having models on hand for demonstaration for those non-fishermen always is a plus.

Good luck!!!!!!!!!!

[Madhouse27]

Hillbilly, In addition to working through the guts of your speech make sure you take a little time to work out your delivery. Let your enthusiasm and passion for the sport show. Maybe wear something fishing related. Make your time in front of the class not only informative but entertaining. Perhaps mixing in a little funny story to emphasize a point (knot breaking, forgetting to put the plug in the boat, cute story of early fishing with dad etc). In this speech you are going to be teaching and the best teachers in the world find ways to make the subject matter fun for the students. Good luck.

[cwenbass]

I am an English teacher and my students must do a 5 minute demonstrative speech everyyear. I model the project to my students by performing a demonstartiver speech mysel before they do. My topic every year, pitching. It is my favorite day of the year because I get to combine my two passions, teaching and fishing. First I give a very brief history of pitching, then the equipment needed, and the motions of how to do it. I pitch a jig into a measuring cup and my students go nuts when I get it in from like 20 feet out. If you can pitch, might be worth a try. For visual aides, I bring in a DVD on pitching as well as pictures from magazines of pro doing it.

Good Luck

P.S. I also used to do public relations and I gave a lot of speeches, so if you have any questions about how to give the speech or need some tips just PM me.

[hillbillyhooker]

you guys are awsome thank you every one that helped me out, i didnt relize all the things that are needed to perform a 5 minute speach... i had pulled bits and pieces of info from each of your posts and had a couple visual aids 1 being my fish log, and the other being my tackle box...and i sat in my room tonight and performed my speech infront of my window and when i got done i had 3 minutes and 43 seconds...and i thought i was going to go over my time...but i didnt even have enough to make 5 minutes...lol so i went and printed off the whole post and put every little thing that you guys shared with me and i now have a 5 minute 10 second speech... ;D but now i am looking to make it longer lol(extra Credit if i go 8 mins. ...so if you guys have anymore idea's please post...i am performing my speech on mon. so i do have a little bit more time than i thought.

 I wish i could tow my boat to school and explain the whole Un-winterizing thing. but my dad is taking the boat in and having a new starter put on it on sat. and it wont be out of the shop until thur.

                          thanx alot every one who helped...I owe this A to you

                                 hillbilly