7 Everyday Items That Could Save Your Fishing Trip

1)   Paper Clips: These little guys are for more than holding your office paperwork together or getting stuck in your vacuum cleaner (my wife works from home, so this happens now and then). I have found these are an easy way to hook up a weedless soft plastic when you run out of Texas rig hooks.  Simple unbend the paperclip, slide it through the eyehole of the hook, and bend them into a V shape. Use your need nose pliers to hold one side of the paperclip straight. Bend the other end around the outside of the pliers 3 or 4 times, making a coil. Snip off the excess and screw the top of your soft plastic lure on to the coil. Setup the hook through your lure and you are all set!

2)   Rubber Bands: I use these more than pretty much every other tool. From pinning weights (check out http://wired2fish.scout.com/story/1469191-5-texas-rig-modifications-every-angler-should-know) to holding my tackle boxes closed, they are very versatile.  These are particularly useful when I am running a jerkbait or crankbait through weeds. I thread the rubber band through the hook eyehole and attach to the barbs on a hook. This works the best if you break off one hook on the treble hooks.

3)   Shrink-Wrap: You know that little metal attachment on your rod where you hook your lures? I hate that thing. Countless times my line has been hung up on that metal loop. I always break it off, but I don’t want to put tension on the pole eyeholes. Since my poles are 2 piece setups, I take a little shrink-wrap on the upper half of the rod and leave a tiny slit that I did not shrink to hook my lures. You can also use two pieces of shrink-wrap and mechanics wire or a paper clip to make your own loop in a place that won’t hang up.

4)   Red Sharpie: I use this on my crankbaits to add a little blood coloring on the gills or the bottom of the lure. I also will draw on my buzzbait blades to give a little flash of red on bright days. You can also use the sharpie to write the diving depth on the bill of your crankbaits. You won’t forget the how deep they dive, and it makes the lure look like it is bleeding from the mouth.

5)   Toothpicks: Most fishermen know you can peg you weights, floats and 
plastic lures by threading the toothpicks in the holes and breaking them off. One thing I learned from a fishing buddy of mine was that you could use toothpicks to stiffen up your soft plastics. Shove the toothpick in your worms and it changes the action completely. I like to wacky rig a curly tail worm and jigging it for spring bass. You will be surprised how many hits you have over spawning areas with this pattern.

6)   Salt packets: I love salted lures, but as time goes on, even the salt impregnated ones lose their flavor. Take 2 toothpicks and thread them into the bottom or middle of the worm or swimbait. Spread the toothpicks apart pour salt down the middle. Pull the toothpicks out slowly, and then use the toothpicks to punch a few holes in the salted area.

7)   Foam Ear Buds: These are great for little bobbers when fishing for panfish. Thread your line through the center and use it as a float. Another great option for the ear buds is to soak them in scent attractant and use it as homemade floating trout bait. It takes a little work to get them to float, but they do catch trout. I find that cheese and garlic scent works best.

Homemade Floating Trout Bait

Wading into just above freezing water …  Pinching dough bait on the end of a number 6 hook and casting upstream through a little riffle…. Watching as it rolls down an eddy… Waiting… waiting… Suddenly, the rod tip bends slightly.

Anyone who has ever been in this position knows how exhilarating it is to catch a trout. There is something about duping a fish to eat your bait or lure that has always intrigued me. I started making my own lures when I was 10. From whittling sticks into crankbaits, to tying flies, there is something even more satisfying about catching a fish on something I created.

The last two years I have fished a plethora of diverse trout baits. I discovered which ones functioned for me, and ones are what I consider to be “Angler Bait” (attractive to anglers because of the colors or cost, but the bait doesn’t produce results).  I probably bought 15 different trout baits just last year. At an average of $6 for 20 nuggets, I spent  $90 for 300 nuggets... I came to the conclusion it was time for me to try to make my own baits.

I did a little research online about homemade trout baits. I found a lot of different suggestions but none of them, with the exception of a company called Bite On (http://biteonfishing.com), had found a way to make their bait float.  If you are looking for a quick way to make your own bait, this looks like the solution. The cost is close to $5 for a regular trout bait container. If anyone decides to purchase this, I would love to have you review it.

Here are some of the recipes and information I found online:

http://www.troutnation.com/how-to-make-homemade-trout-dough-bait

Inspired most of my recipe, except the cooking part. The dough is already dense and I need something soft and pliable for my single hook set up.

http://www.missouritrouthunter.com/BaitFishing.htm

Missouri Trout hunter is by far my favorite information found. It talks about all aspects of fishing for trout, but it also described many different recipes people tried. The most interesting one to me was the info about using earplugs as reusable bait.

http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=004t3U

A blog with a few different recipes, I haven’t tried their recipes, but if the bait I made works I might diversify and try others.

Here’s our recipe:

1 ½ Cups of Flour

½ Cup of Corn Meal

1 tsp Garlic Powder

½ Cup of Water

1 Cup of Marshmallows

4 oz. of processed cheese

1 piece of Styrofoam board

Start by mixing a ½ Cup of flour, cornmeal, and garlic powder together.  Rub the Styrofoam board into small pills. Mix a large amount of Styrofoam into the dry mixture. Remember, this is what will make the bait float, so the more the better. Add the water. Heat up the marshmallows and cheese; mix in.  Add another ½ cup of flour and begin to knead together. Add the remaining amount of flour to reach the consistency you would like. This recipe makes about 16oz of dough.

Send us your floating bait recipes so we can share with others at thefullstringer@gmail.com.

10 Tips for Opening Day of Trout Season

Plan your day out

Opening day can get crazy. Many "Saturday fishermen" will be out for the first few days and you will have to compete with more traffic than usual. There is nothing I hate more than going to my favorite spot where I never see a person, to find 40 other anglers are already there.  You need to have a contingency plan. I try to make plans like this is my vacation. I write down where I am going out, how long I am going to be there, and mark the places I think most “Joe Fisherman” won’t be able to make it to.

Fishing opening day is not only about finding fish but also avoiding tons of traffic. Be smart about your schedule and stick to it, UNLESS you are pulling them in like crazy.

Get up early

I don’t like waking up early for anything, but fishing is one of the few things I will climb out of bed at 4 am for. When I get ready for bed this Friday night, I will already have everything in order to walk out the door and go fishing.

Pennsylvania has this strange rule that on the day of opening trout season you can’t start fishing until 8 am. Most anglers will mosey down to the water bank at about 7:30 and get mad that guys camping from the night before take all the “good spots”. I made it to my first spot last year at about 6:30 and there was already 20+ cars lining the access road. Talk about a buzz kill. Finding all those cars made me realize that there are fishermen more dedicated than I was. I came to two conclusions:

1)   Wake up early. Don’t be lazy, or someone else is going to out fish you

2)   Use that extra time to get acquainted with the water. Mark your area, and then go survey places where other fishermen aren’t.

Have your equipment organized

I tend to run around through the woods with a backpack. I find that hiking and spot fishing requires me to be able to move all my equipment fairly easily, and I like to be hands-free while I am focusing on the water. Last year my backpack went everywhere with me. This year, it has a little brother…

I went out with my gift certificate after Christmas and bought a new backpack specifically for trout. I got doubles of all the important material (pliers, stringers, etc.) and feel much more organized for opening day than I ever have been. I have all my spinners and trout bait in an easily accessible area. When I’m wading through the water, it is very convenient to have everything I need organized and available.

Organizing doesn’t stop at just your fishing lures and baits. The trunk of my car is full of fishing equipment. I store lanterns, extra line, and a first aid kit in the car to help for any fishing trip.  I bought storage tubs to help keep the clutter under control and labeled them with its contents. Whatever way you decide to organize, remember to reorganize on a regular basis.

Trout bait works

Since most of the trout we encounter in the first trip out are stocked, you have to think about their diet. Farm raised trout don’t eat minnows and crayfish in their spawning ponds. They eat trout nuggets. I was reminded of this last year when I was fishing Canoe Creek in Hollidaysburg, PA. While I was on vacation at my in-laws I decided to hit up the creek.  There was probably 15 trout underneath a small bridge. I dropped a unhooked trout bait into the water and they went crazy. Trout are trained to “feeder baits”, so utilize it to the best of your ability.

Fishing etiquette is important

Can you and another person really fish the same fishing spot? Maybe it is just me, but I don’t like to share… I find it irritating to deal with other fishermen that don’t understand fishing etiquette.  Remember these tips on opening day and everyone will enjoy their trip:

1)   If you are fishing in a public place. It is first come first serve. If you don’t want another person in your spot, get there first.

2)   Give room for others.  Don’t stand shoulder to shoulder if at all possible. It is especially annoying to be the first person there and another angler comes in without asking and fishes the same spot.  If you have to share, be cognizant of rotating casts.

3)   Don’t hinder someone’s fishing area. This is especially important for those who boat or wade during opening day. Just because you can get in the water doesn’t mean you own everywhere you want to stop.

High noon is prime time

The winter has been rough on us this year. With all the cold weather and late snow, the water is colder than it has been in the last 5 years. Although trout love cold water their ideal temperature is above 40 degrees. They are continually active during temperature rises all the way to 63 degrees. Make sure to check the how cold the water is with a thermometer every hour. With the sun high in the sky and the weather warming up, you will be pulling them in.

Fish through the weather

There is a 70% that tomorrow will be rainy. The first question my best friend Kyle asked, “Do you still want go fishing on Saturday?” I felt like laughing it off. I will be out there, and hopefully it will deter others from chancing the weather.

When the rain first starts I will be fishing powerbaits and trying the homemade floating dough bait I made. I will be on the look out for ambush spots that trout can sit and a nice covered eddy to fish while it is raining. With the water stirring up from the rain, I have enough inline spinners and reactionary lures that will catch attention. Make sure you match your spoon to the water clarity. I find on an overcast or rainy day that a white lure with a silver spoon produces the best.

Whatever you plan for opening day, make sure you research all different weather patterns and know what will work.

Know your fishing hole

Knowing all the ins and outs of your fishing hole starts weeks before trout season. I would encourage you to scout your spots and notice what has changed since the last time you were there. I had a fishing hole I loved to fish two years ago and decided last year to revisit the same area. Unfortunately flooding and some trees that had fallen down destroyed everything that made my fishing hole so great. I wasted a day trying to revisit a place I should have scouted well in advance.

Sight fishing is key

It may be hard to see trout in the water, but sight fishing brings the best results for me. If it looks like a trout should be there, they probably are. Spend the time to sneak up on the hole, bring your polarized glasses and stand still. Keep low and if at all possible and approach the trout from downstream.

You may not be able to see trout right away, but I will sit still for up to 5 minutes to survey the water. If the trout see you they have two reactions; swim away or stay very still. Once they get used to you being near, they will become more active and they easier to see.

Wear the right clothes

Many people will be out tomorrow morning and will come with all the wrong clothing. I have seen people at 6 am in shorts, bright orange shirts, and sandals. They are the type of people that quit by 10 am. They end up cold, fishless and cranky.

Besides dressing for the weather, you need to dress for the fish. Trout have very keen eyesight. They can see almost 180 degrees out of the water. If you are wearing unnatural colors, you are immediately identified as a threat. Make sure to dress in dark greys, browns, blues and greens.