Non fishing stuff you use for fishing?

[Mike Z]

Ok, couldn't think of a title but looking for possible tips or tricks that you guys have for storage, bait carrying, etc not involved (or involved) with fishing.

For example, when I went to the Yamamoto website the other day following a link from here to an article about fishing the Senko, I found other useful info on storage. One of the tiops he had was to buy the lingerie bags from Walmart to store your stuff in by color, style, etc. The bags are pretty big and all my worms wouldn't fill even one but at a buck each I found several other uses already.

The first is that my rain jacket and pants are easily folded and stored in that bag. Since the bag is mesh, I can be assured that any water still left on the items will evaporate. This is useful because I keep my rain gear in my truck and its easier to stow under the seat.

I also found that before I was carrying a plastic bag with crawlers and snacks/beverages for the kids when I took them. The bags blow away easily and sometimes stuff is harder to find because the bag blows around so easy and my view keeps getting blocked. With the mesh bag, everything can be seen, the bag can be folded when empty and there is even a small loop on the corner and I can attack a small rope so that my kids can carry all their stuff over their shoulder.

Wondering what non fishing stuff you found a fishing use for?

[Fish Chris]

Immediately the first thing that comes to mind, is a Pelican case !

Every angler should have one. Waterproof, shockproof, dust proof, insulated...

I carry my fish photo camera, my back-up camera, my certified scale, the face plate of my stereo, my cell phone, and my two-way remote alarm in mine.

To me, my Pelican and it's contents, are about as important as my tackle bag. In fact, I'm so unlikely to leave it behind, I leave my fishing license lanyard noosed around the handle of it, when I'm not fishing

BTW, they make one in nearly every size imaginable, in lots of different colors. I chose yellow as it won't get as hot sitting in the sun, and would be easier to find, should it ever leave my boat. Remember, they float

Peace,

Fish

[Matt Fly]

Anything mesh, even a net is an attractant to getting barbed hooks burried into them and takes time to get them out or cut them out.

     Mesh equals trouble sooner or later.   

I do have a buddy that uses old pill bottles for small terminal tackle, split shots, C rig beads, different size finishing nails for weights to insert into worms to add weights and etc.   I told him, my small planos do the same, except I dont have to open up multiple containers to get rigged like he does.

[Sweetwater]

I use the dessicant cannister out of non prescription drug bottles in my crankbait box. Helps keep rust away.

[Fish Chris]

Oh and Duh !

How could I forget...

The life jacket, of course ! The last thing I'd want, would be to confused with any of the other goof-balls out there without a life jacket !

BTW, that's another cool thing (to me) about wearing a life jacket, since I hardly ever see another adult with one on, it gives me just one more way to seperate myself from the crowd

There are 6 1/2 billion people on this planet. I'm not one of them. I just happen to be stuck here with them

Peace,

Fish

[wannabeangler]

On the topic of storage, I've had a hard time managing long leads. I do a lot of striper fishing and use 5-10 ft leads for downlines and freelines. I tried paper towel rolls, coke bottles, ziplock backs, etc. but for one reason or another, they all weren't cutting it for me.

Lately, I've simply been tearing off a flap from a cardboard box and wrapping the leads around them. If it's a lead with a snap on one end and a hook on the other then I start with the snap inserted into the corrugated edge, wrap the lead and bury the hook in the cardboard. I can fit 5 or 6 leads on one piece and I have a box that fits 4 of these cardboard flaps to store them in.

If it's a lead that I tie directly to a swivel, then I'll simply tear the cardboard about an 1/8", slide the line in and then wrap the lead.

That's my current method but I'm all ears if someone has any better suggestions!

[bass or bass ?]

Oh and Duh !

How could I forget...

The life jacket, of course ! The last thing I'd want, would be to confused with any of the other goof-balls out there without a life jacket !

BTW, that's another cool thing (to me) about wearing a life jacket, since I hardly ever see another adult with one on, it gives me just one more way to seperate myself from the crowd

There are 6 1/2 billion people on this planet. I'm not one of them. I just happen to be stuck here with them

Peace,

Fish

I definately consider the life vest fishing equipment. Anyone fishing on my boat WILL wear one , at least while the big motor is running. If you don't want to wear it, find another ride!

[bass or bass ?]

On the topic of storage, I've had a hard time managing long leads. I do a lot of striper fishing and use 5-10 ft leads for downlines and freelines. I tried paper towel rolls, coke bottles, ziplock backs, etc. but for one reason or another, they all weren't cutting it for me.

Lately, I've simply been tearing off a flap from a cardboard box and wrapping the leads around them. If it's a lead with a snap on one end and a hook on the other then I start with the snap inserted into the corrugated edge, wrap the lead and bury the hook in the cardboard. I can fit 5 or 6 leads on one piece and I have a box that fits 4 of these cardboard flaps to store them in.

If it's a lead that I tie directly to a swivel, then I'll simply tear the cardboard about an 1/8", slide the line in and then wrap the lead.

That's my current method but I'm all ears if someone has any better suggestions!

I like to use a piece of styrofoam broken off of a cheap styrofoam cooler for my carolina rigs.

[bass or bass ?]

Lowe's sells cool camo caps with built in LED lights in the bill. Excellent for night fishing.

Storage for my plastics is done with a large ring 3 ring notebook binder with plastic transparent sleeve inserts  that fit the rings ( I get mine at staples). I keep the baits in their original packages and insert the packages in the sleeves. Easy to find what I want.

[Wayne P.]

I use a crochet needle for rigging Flukes on Falcon weighted hooks.

[Matt Fly]

  A good bic lighter repairs the majority of plastics specially expensive senkos.

    Simple dunking in the livewell cools them in no time to be used over and over.   Better than glues.

[Bankbeater]

If I'm going to be fishing from the bank and only taking 1 or 2 storage boxes, I will carry them in an old laptop case. There is plenty of room to fit two 370 boxes in there.

[Crestliner2008]

Goodys. A woman's hair band. Use them for wacky rigging Senkos! Look up the articles at the top, for details on rigging. A Japanese friend of mind showed me this trick many years ago. I've used it ever since. 

[cart7t]

I use old 35mm film cannistors to hold bullet weights.

My spinnerbait case is a  CD case.  It works great.

[Crestliner2008]

On the topic of storage, I've had a hard time managing long leads. I do a lot of striper fishing and use 5-10 ft leads for downlines and freelines. I tried paper towel rolls, coke bottles, ziplock backs, etc. but for one reason or another, they all weren't cutting it for me.

Lately, I've simply been tearing off a flap from a cardboard box and wrapping the leads around them. If it's a lead with a snap on one end and a hook on the other then I start with the snap inserted into the corrugated edge, wrap the lead and bury the hook in the cardboard. I can fit 5 or 6 leads on one piece and I have a box that fits 4 of these cardboard flaps to store them in.

If it's a lead that I tie directly to a swivel, then I'll simply tear the cardboard about an 1/8", slide the line in and then wrap the lead.

That's my current method but I'm all ears if someone has any better suggestions!

Try this one out for size. I've been using this to wrap pre-tied drop shot leaders for quite a few years. Sinkers are stored inside the tube:

http://www.jannsnetcraft.com/leader-storage/035248000079.aspx

[mrbassky]

Sunglasses   8-)

[islandbass]

On the topic of storage, I've had a hard time managing long leads. I do a lot of striper fishing and use 5-10 ft leads for downlines and freelines. I tried paper towel rolls, coke bottles, ziplock backs, etc. but for one reason or another, they all weren't cutting it for me.

Lately, I've simply been tearing off a flap from a cardboard box and wrapping the leads around them. If it's a lead with a snap on one end and a hook on the other then I start with the snap inserted into the corrugated edge, wrap the lead and bury the hook in the cardboard. I can fit 5 or 6 leads on one piece and I have a box that fits 4 of these cardboard flaps to store them in.

If it's a lead that I tie directly to a swivel, then I'll simply tear the cardboard about an 1/8", slide the line in and then wrap the lead.

That's my current method but I'm all ears if someone has any better suggestions!

Try this one out for size. I've been using this to wrap pre-tied drop shot leaders for quite a few years. Sinkers are stored inside the tube:

http://www.jannsnetcraft.com/leader-storage/035248000079.aspx

I have been using pipe insulation for a while and it works great and you cancut them to size to fit into non-sectioned plano type plastic boxes. That is a very practical thing for leaders and the weight storage is a plus over pipe insulation. 8-)

As a bank angler, I face little things like finding places to safely lay (to avoid dirt and unearned battle scratches) unused rods or carry them aroud in something besides my fingers. So I created a rod quiver to address this issue.

I can hold three rods with absolute ease in one hand. For a shorebound angler, this is a definite plus. I can prop the quiver onto my bag and it keeps my rigs off of the ground. If the ground is level, the quiver will stand upright. When I carry my rods in the quiver and place it in the trunk, the rods are spaced far enough that they will not bang around on each other. Another plus!

My daughter commandeered my curado at 6 1/2 when she learned to use a baitcaster, which was awesome. I was a proud dad for sure, but my greatest fear was her accidentally tossing my rod and reel into the drink. So I devised with a leash, somewhat inspired from my old school snowboard days.

In action, the leash. Jiggin' for salmon in the salt with 8'6" rod and Abu G round.

I put together a rod sling that could hold the rod in front of you or on your back. Its main purpose was free the hand holding a rod if need be while battling a salmon or steelhead while wading far from shore when help might not be around.

One other thing almost as important as the lifevest, I would say is your LICENSE. This past winter on the day after Christmas, I left a cozy warm bed to weather frigid temps, to catch some steelhead. I was psyched and in the zone. I gathered my gear, donning my waders as if they were a suit of armor. I prepped my rods as if they were lances, hopped into the car and trotted to the planned destination.

Upon arrival, I slapped on my boots and other winter garb, grabbed my stuff and headed to the river bank. Within the first few steps I realized I didn't have my wallet and it wasn't in the car. A quick retrace of my steps revealed I left it by the PC.

^$%#*&$&$&$*#*@(!!!!!!!

I was sooooo ticked at myself. My only opportunity to go fishing for the year and I blow it like a dandelion.

So don't forget the license! It's as much of show stopper for those that honor the rules and regulations as an inoperative motor. :-[ ;D