Tips and Tricks I've Learned Over the Years

[skeeter bassin]

Can't believe this hasn't been mentioned yet. Probably the most important thing, at least in my mind. Girls and Boys, TAKE YOUR KIDS FISHING WITH YOU. There is no memory greater than spending time with your children on the water. My son is 7 now and all he talks about is fishing, spends all his time after school creating new lures out of anything he can get his hands on. Can't count how many plastics he has made for me on his bug machine, or how many crankbaits he has made for me out of school erasers and paperclips. This is what it is all about.

[cavdad45]

Can't believe this hasn't been mentioned yet. Probably the most important thing, at least in my mind. Girls and Boys, TAKE YOUR KIDS FISHING WITH YOU. There is no memory greater than spending time with your children on the water. My son is 7 now and all he talks about is fishing, spends all his time after school creating new lures out of anything he can get his hands on. Can't count how many plastics he has made for me on his bug machine, or how many crankbaits he has made for me out of school erasers and paperclips. This is what it is all about.

One of the best tips, yet! My daughter is five and loves going fishing with Daddy. It's our time.

Another tip, yeah unrelated. Talk to and learn from as many people as you can about fishing. That's why some of my posts seem elemental, it's trying to get people talking and me learning.

[fishnislife]

I bumped this one back up hoping that more people would contribute to it and keep it going.




fishnislife

[A9]

It's a good thread to bring back up to the top...

One tip: Never be afraid to try something new. This means a few things to me...

1) Never get in a rut and use the same lure/tactic if it ain't producing. Just cause it's usually your money lure or tactic on the lake doesn't mean it will be EVERY DAY. Try something different. Try something unorthodox. Who knows what will happen? I sure know that some of my best catches are caught doing something I wasn't very experience or sure of when I tied it on.

2) Don't be afraid to try for other species. The task of re-learning a whole new game (fishing for a new species) is a daunting task when you think about it but don't let it keep you from trying your hand at fishing for something your not used to. You never know if that will become your new favorite species to fish with...

[skimpy]

A lot of good stuff here. I wanted to add, put a dryer sheet in your back pocket to keep away mosquitoes.

[A9]

A lot of good stuff here. I wanted to add, put a dryer sheet in your back pocket to keep away mosquitoes.

As in those lint/fabric freshener sheets?

Other people say cigars keep the mosquitoes away too..

[tnj8222]

A lot of good stuff here. I wanted to add, put a dryer sheet in your back pocket to keep away mosquitoes.

As in those lint/fabric freshener sheets?

Other people say cigars keep the mosquitoes away too..

smoke works but it is only temporary. when the smoke goes away they come back. although the dryer sheet works the whole time.

[Rabbits]

- Drag your lure through the water in front of you to make sure it is not pulling funny.
- Inspect your knots twice even three times every time! There is nothing worse than losing a fish and finding a squiggly curl where your bait used to be.
- Look for what bugs/insects are floating in the water or flying around. It is a good indication of what to use.
- Take every chance you get to go fishing with someone who is better than you.
- Always ask the local bait shop for tips.
- Maintenance your reels!
- Grandpa is the best fishing buddy.

[skimpy]

[/quote]

As in those lint/fabric freshener sheets?

Other people say cigars keep the mosquitoes away too..[/quote]

Yup, just be careful not to get the smell on your hands, like mentioned above. And cigars do work. Every now and then I'll have a black n' mild cigar while fishing and it does seem to keep them away.

[fishnislife]

A lot of good stuff here. I wanted to add, put a dryer sheet in your back pocket to keep away mosquitoes.

skimpy, I have never heard of this before. Is this for real?



fishnislife

[A9]

A lot of good stuff here. I wanted to add, put a dryer sheet in your back pocket to keep away mosquitoes.

skimpy, I have never heard of this before. Is this for real?



fishnislife

A google search found a lot of results for me that said that it was...Interesting...

[irishrogue]

I think the biggest change for me LATER in life as far as fishing was to really focus on and learn to TIE GOOD KNOTS. The internet is an excellent resource, and you probably online need about 4 good ones for 90% of what you do. The group I use routinely and know *cold* now...

Triline (my favorite for terminal tackle)
Hook Snell (you'll need some variants)
Palomar
Blood Knot
Surgeons Knot
Arbor Knot

It's fun, easy to practice in the evenings, and man, it's important!

[fishnislife]

I think the biggest change for me LATER in life as far as fishing was to really focus on and learn to TIE GOOD KNOTS. The internet is an excellent resource, and you probably online need about 4 good ones for 90% of what you do. The group I use routinely and know *cold* now...

Triline (my favorite for terminal tackle)
Hook Snell (you'll need some variants)
Palomar
Blood Knot
Surgeons Knot
Arbor Knot

It's fun, easy to practice in the evenings, and man, it's important!

Here is a link to animated knots if you don't know about the knots irishrogue is talking about.
http://www.animatedknots.com/indexfishi ... dknots.com
Good advice. Knots are probably the most underlooked thing in fishing and they are one of the most important parts to catching fish (besides the bait). A bad knot and you won't be landing a thing.



fishnislife

[Rollin with Rolland]

lots to learn....

i really pride myself in hitting as many bodies of water as possible. many times i do not have a contour/bathy map for the water i am fishing. Taking a good look at shoreline structure and contour can help when fishing new bodies of water. If the shoreline is steep and rocky, then POSSIBLY there is a dropoff with a hard bottom under the water. likewise with low lying areas, muddy shores, sandy shores, etc. Just picture the land going underwater. it is not 100%, but sometimes can help determine bottom composition, and hopefully put you on more fish!!

[fishaholictaz]

Can't believe this hasn't been mentioned yet. Probably the most important thing, at least in my mind. Girls and Boys, TAKE YOUR KIDS FISHING WITH YOU. There is no memory greater than spending time with your children on the water. My son is 7 now and all he talks about is fishing, spends all his time after school creating new lures out of anything he can get his hands on. Can't count how many plastics he has made for me on his bug machine, or how many crankbaits he has made for me out of school erasers and paperclips. This is what it is all about.

I was hoping some one put this in here!!! I have had my sons out since they were 2!!! They are best fishing partners and the future of the sport.

PS If you don't have kids take some one else's!!

[fishing collector]

Another tip that I can give that (can be fishing related) but has life application is: Never spit or pee into the wind. And since I am on the peeing subject, stay away from electric fences while releaving yourself.


fishnislife

My mom taught me to wash my hands after I went to the bathroom....... My dad taught me not to pee on my fingers!

[Demonknight]

First post for me, and I have to say I kind of hate this site...as if going over a year without fishing wasn't bad enough, now I find this site *S* Agree with the take your kid fishing, some of my fondest memories are of my grandparents taking me out to fish. This year my son is 7 and not so eager to just run around and toss rocks in the water (not that he has given up on this yet), but we just bought a small row boat that needs some work and we do expect to be out in it in a few weeks ( I also took opening weekend off) ...

Things I've learned not mentioned... NO bait is too small, some of the biggest fish have been taking on the smallest of baits.
And its all about knowing you can catch fish, I have no idea how many times my grandfather and I would sit on either side of someone and catch fish while they just sat there. Hell I know we have even traded them poles and still out caught them.

And since I'm from Colorado, if anyone feels like showing/telling me the tricks to catch skagit river humpys this year I'm all ears :chef:

[A9]

And since I'm from Colorado, if anyone feels like showing/telling me the tricks to catch skagit river humpys this year I'm all ears :chef:

Humpies only run on odd numbered years. They do come in on even numbered years, but not in targetable numbers...

[fishnislife]

First post for me, and I have to say I kind of hate this site...as if going over a year without fishing wasn't bad enough, now I find this site *S* Agree with the take your kid fishing, some of my fondest memories are of my grandparents taking me out to fish. This year my son is 7 and not so eager to just run around and toss rocks in the water (not that he has given up on this yet), but we just bought a small row boat that needs some work and we do expect to be out in it in a few weeks ( I also took opening weekend off) ...

Things I've learned not mentioned... NO bait is too small, some of the biggest fish have been taking on the smallest of baits.
And its all about knowing you can catch fish, I have no idea how many times my grandfather and I would sit on either side of someone and catch fish while they just sat there. Hell I know we have even traded them poles and still out caught them.

And since I'm from Colorado, if anyone feels like showing/telling me the tricks to catch skagit river humpys this year I'm all ears :chef:

Welcome Demonknight to the WL.com family. Thanks for sharing. Be sure to introduce yourself here if you feel comfortable - http://www.washingtonlakes.com/forum/ya ... RSELF.aspx


fishnislife

[HillbillyGeek]

I think the biggest change for me LATER in life as far as fishing was to really focus on and learn to TIE GOOD KNOTS. The internet is an excellent resource, and you probably online need about 4 good ones for 90% of what you do. The group I use routinely and know *cold* now...

Triline (my favorite for terminal tackle)
Hook Snell (you'll need some variants)
Palomar
Blood Knot
Surgeons Knot
Arbor Knot

It's fun, easy to practice in the evenings, and man, it's important!

Here is a link to animated knots if you don't know about the knots irishrogue is talking about.
http://www.animatedknots.com/indexfishi ... dknots.com
Good advice. Knots are probably the most underlooked thing in fishing and they are one of the most important parts to catching fish (besides the bait). A bad knot and you won't be landing a thing.



fishnislife

It's also important to know which knots work best for the type of line you are using. The Trilene knot works great for mono but it will always eventually come unbuttoned if you use it with braid. The palomar knot ideal for braided line -- and it works well with mono too. Another good example is the blood knot, which works great when connecting sections of line that have similar diameters but it's not the best choice for connecting line segments with different diameters.