Facts Of Fishing Tips

Tip 37

A good tip for the anglers fishing in areas with barbless hooks: when baiting with live bait (especially minnows), to keep your bait on, take a small piece of rubber worm and push onto hook after your bait. This allows you to bait in a way that keeps your bait very active.

By: Mike, Facts of Fishing Viewer, Winnipeg, MB 

Tip 36

So you are on the water, and you've caught that giant fish of a lifetime. And then you realize you don't have a scale or even a measuring tape to measure this fish. Quick and simple fix is to cut a piece of your fishing line the same length and girth of the fish and put that in your pocket to measure when you get home.

By:  Dave Mercer
Pro Angler and host of The Facts of Fishing

Tip 35

A good way to secure your bait to any rig is with a drop of Pro Soft Bait Glue. This will let you fish more and fix your bait less.

By: Peter Savoia CFT Classic Champion
www.setthehook.ca

Tip 34

Water proof storage boxes are great for keeping your stuff dry but if they have been opened during a rainy day they will also keep the water in.  So, at the end of the day, open them up to air them out.

By: Simon Frost
Bass Pro Shops Team Member

 

Tip 33

If your pliers ever become rusty and you need to free them up quickly, put them in some pop. The acids in the pop free the pliers up in a couple of minutes.

By:  Simon Frost
Bass Pro Shops Team Member

 

Tip 32

Label your tackle trays using a label maker. This will make finding that specific tray much easier. You can also do this for hooks and weights.

By:  Simon Frost
Bass Pro Shops Team Member

Tip 31

When using a drift sock, attach a line from the lop of the sock to the boat. This will cause the sock to collapse when you are pulling it in and also if the main line becomes untied it will save your sock.

By:  Simon Frost
Bass Pro Shops Team Member

Tip 30

When inserting your jig heads into tube baits, put a little scent on the top of the jig head. This will allow the jig to slide in a little easier and also add a little scent to your bait.

By:  Simon Frost
Bass Pro Shops Team Member

Tip 29

After fishing with salted baits, wipe down your rods with a damp cloth. This will prevent pitting and corrosion on your rods and reels, keeping them looking newer, longer.

By:  Simon Frost, Bass Pro Shops Team Member

Tip 28

When jigging for walleyes, don't be afraid to use bright coloured line when seeing your line is important.  Berkley Fireline Flame Green is a great choice.

By:  Capt. Bob Devine
Chartertalk Guide Service
www.chartertalk.com

Tip 27

When backing up your trailer, put your hand on the bottom of the steering wheel and turn in the direction that you want to go.  Most put their hand on top and try to go in the opposite direction.

By: Capt. Bob Devine
Chartertalk Guide Service
www.chartertalk.com

Tip 26

Suspending stick baits can be made to dive a bit deeper and have a better hook up and landing rate by adding a size larger treble hook. Tying feathers onto the tail treble really help trigger reluctant strikes from following fish, and add a slight hint of
movement to the bait when it sits still on the pause, again helping triggering strikes out of reluctant followers.

By Al Patton
Bass Pro Shops and Shimano Team Member

Tip 25

There are so many different sizes and thickness of tube baits on the market these days, it is important to remember to match the hook size you are using to the bait size. A small jig hook in a big tube will not allow enough hook gap to be exposed to provide a good hook up, and too big of a hook on a small or thinner bait will look odd and be a less effective presentation. The use of high quality, super sharp hooks make a big difference on your hook up rate, and are worth the small added costs.

By Al Patton
Bass Pro Shops and Shimano Team Member

Tip 24

Adding a small piece of cotton batten inside of your tube before you slide the jig inside, will hold scent and allow it to disperse over a longer period of time.

By Al Patton
Bass Pro Shops and Shimano Team Member

Tip 23

Ever notice that a salty tube bait seems to work better after it has caught a few fish? The teeth of bass tend to rough up the bait, giving it a totally different look under water. It almost adds a life-like sheen to the bait. Instead of waiting to catch a few bass to get this look, try stretching, twisting and roughing up the tube with your fingernails before using it. This will add the same look to the bait and get you started catching that much sooner.

By Al Patton
Bass Pro Shops and Shimano Team Member

Tip 22

When fishing tube baits in dirty or dingy water, the use of darker colours is best, but I like to add rattles inside the tube to help draw attention to the bait. Also, using larger or magnum sized tubes help to provide a bigger profile and make the bait easier for fish to find. The addition of a touch of scent inside the tube doesn't hurt.

By Al Patton
Bass Pro Shops and Shimano Team Member

Tip 21

Many lures come with split rings to tie on to. The split ring allows the lure to more room, giving more action.....most split rings have a spot where they will open up to allow for them to be added or taken off. When you tie your knot, make sure it doesn't slide into this area as the edges are sharp and will cut the line resulting in a lost lure, or even worse, losing that trophy of a lifetime. When tying a knot, I prefer to put the area of the splits so that the lure eye rests in this area, and the knot is completely opposite, tied around the thicker, cleaner area of the ring,avoiding the potential of a cut off.

By Al Patton
Bass Pro Shops and Shimano Team Member

Tip 20

I cannot stress enough the advantages of keeping a fishing log. I have been doing so since 1990 and I am always amazed when I look back to check a seasonal pattern or how we caught our fish in a certain tournament only to realize that what I remember was in most cases not accurate. Record things like lake, date, weather, technique, lure and lure colour, what time of day was best and where, structure, etc. Our memories for detailed information are short so get in the habit of writing them down. If nothing else, it makes for a good read in the middle of winter.

By Derek Strub
Pro Angler and Bass Pro Shops Pro Staff

Tip 19

For any outdoorsman, it is a must to own the best quality rain wear you can afford. There is nothing worse than spending a rainy day on the outdoor's water and getting soaked and chilled under a poor quality jacket. Another advantage of high quality materials such as Gortex, is in the heat of the summer, your suit will breathe so you don't bathe in your own sweat all day. Small price to pay for comfort!

By Derek Strub
Pro Angler and Bass Pro Shops Pro Staff

Tip 18

 One of the most important tools an angler should rely on to catch more and bigger fish are marine electronics or “fishfinders”.  Most anglers use these devices to stay off the rocks while traveling and to know the depth that they’re fishing but often forget that today’s marine electronics offer other pieces of valuable information.  These units show important details that we sometimes disregard such as water temperature, boat speed, bottom hardness (rock, sand, mud), variations in the bottom (ditches, bars, saddles, humps), vegetation, and baitfish.  It’s important for anglers to pay attention to all of these details to find out where the fish are situated in any given body of water.  Keeping a journal of this information can save a lot of time when trying to figure out where the fish are. In addition some units are now equipped with GPS (global positioning systems) and lake charts that can aid in navigation and keep you safe on the water!

Stay safe and have fun! See you on the water,

Davis Viehbeck
www.extremeangling.ca

Tip 17

If you spend any amount of time on the water consider investing in a quality pair of polarized sunglasses.  Polarized sunglasses dramatically reduce glare from the sun allowing anglers to see fish, structure and navigational hazards with ease.

Stay safe and have fun!  See you on the water,

Davis Viehbeck
www.extremeangling.ca

Tip 16

Tube jerking for aggressive bass.
As you know for most situations a tube jig is best fished at a slow crawling retrieve to best imitate a crawfish. There are times though when it is best to fish a tube like you would a hard bodied jerkbait. When fish are very aggressive and chasing bait try casting a white or smoke tube out and let it sink a few feet and begin retrieving the bait with rhythmic jerks causing the bait to dart side to side.  This technique will often induce a violent strike from shallow water smallmouth.

By Derek Strub
Pro Angler and Shimano Pro Staff

Tip 15

Using braided line on spinning gear.
One of the biggest improvements in fishing equipment in the last ten years has to be the introduction of braided lines.  Lots of anglers have made the switch to braid on their bait casting gear but have been reluctant to do the same with spinning tackle. Anyone that is regularly fishing deeper than 15' (5m.) with spinning gear should consider making the switch. Because braided lines are no stretch anglers can increase the number of strikes they feel and also improve their landing rates because of better hook sets. Another tip to increase hookups is to add a 4' fluorocarbon leader to the end of their braid.  

By Derek Strub
Pro Angler and Bass Pro Shops Pro Staff

Tip 14

Using sonar to your advantage!
The sonar unit on your boat can be the single biggest advantage you have while fishing.  These units allow the fisherman to locate fish holding structure, baitfish, thermoclines and even specific fish that you can target and catch.  Whether you're using a brand new high tech unit like Hummingbirds top of the line 987 side scan or a regular run of the mill sonar unit it is very important that you learn how to use the graph inside and out. Most anglers simply turn them on and let the auto feature handle things, this is not a good idea, take the time to read the manual and learn the many things that you sonar can do for you. The next thing you should do with a new unit is drive the boat over an area of bottom that you are familiar with so you can see what the bottom looks like on the screen so you know first hand what you are looking at.

By Derek Strub
Pro Angler and Bass Pro Shops Pro Staff

Tip 13

When angling from shore, make sure to tread lightly. Too many anglers stomp their way down the shoreline and alert the fish that they are coming. Fish can actually feel the vibrations of you walking.

By: Dave Mercer
Pro Angler and host of TV's The Facts of Fishing

Tip 12

One of the most disheartening feelings is catching a giant fish and when you get home, looking at the picture and finding out that it just didn't turn out. If you take your pictures with the camera person's back to the sun and the subject looking into the sun, you will get rid of those spooky shadows that spoil your super catch.

By: Dave Mercer
Pro Angler and host of TV's The Facts of Fishing

Tip 11

One of my favorite baits to fish is a Strike King flipping jig. I have caught more big bass on a flipping jig than any other bait. But one of the first things I'll do before this lure ever hits the water is slightly bend out the hook, widening the gap, which allows me to hook more bohemath bass.

By: Dave Mercer
Pro Angler and host of TV's The Facts of Fishing

Tip 10

When fishing in windy conditions, most anglers head for the sheltered shoreline. Don't be afraid to head the opposite way. Fishing wind-blown points pays big dividends. Bait blows in and the fishing explodes

By: Dave Mercer
Pro Angler and host of TV's The Facts of Fishing

 

Tip 9

Never, ever leave a spot that you have had success in without first changing your presentation. When fish stop hitting your tube jig, switch to a Berkley power grub. It may be just the ticket to turn them on again.

By Dave Mercer
Pro Angler and host of television's Facts of Fishing

Tip 8

Pliers, cameras, thermoses, lures, rods and reels, and even cell phones, when dropped in the bottom of a standard aluminum boat, may as well be an in-water siren. We anglers, make more noise dropping equipment to the bottom of an aluminum boat, than a busload of preschoolers on their way home from a field trip to the chocolate factory.
When purchasing your next boat or making modifications to your current model, look into one with a carpeted floor. The flooring and carpet act as an insulator and keep the noise above water.

By: Dave Mercer
Pro Angler and host of TV's The Facts of Fishing

Tip 7

One of the most over-looked noises an angler makes, is actually their cast.
When fishing shallow water, make sure to use an underhand cast with a low trajectory to the water rather than the traditional overhead long bomb, that, in some situations will send our finned-friends fleeing.

By: Dave Mercer
Pro Angler and host of TV's The Facts of Fishing

Tip 6

It is Friday afternoon and you just left work. You are rushing to that secret honey hole that only you know about. You fly down the lake and roar right on top of that sacred spot.
No matter where I am fishing, I will always shut down my outboard a minimum of 100 to 150 yards away from the spot. Remember the tortoise and the hare story. The tortoise always wins.

By: Dave Mercer
Pro Angler and host of TV's The Facts of Fishing

Tip 5

Trolling motors are one of the best inventions for today’s angler. But, if you have your motor cranked up to 100% you are definitely turning the odds in the fish’s favor.  Electric trolling motors were designed to run on a slow but constant speed. Not a bone jarring, on-and-off approach. I very rarely run my Minn Kota  Maxum at over 30%.
Slow your motor down and you will speed up your success.

By: Dave Mercer
Pro Angler and host of TV's The Facts of Fishing

Tip 4

Noise is one of the most important keys in lure presentation. I use rattles in everything from senko's to tube baits to plastic worms. Even all my hard bodied minnow baits make noise. This will at least make the fist move or show him or herself and if it doesn't commit to that bait, at least I know it is active and I'll have something in my boat it make it eat.

By Darren Jacko
Pro Angler and Guide
519-688-8073

Tip 3

Always sharpen your hooks, even new hooks that are of less quality that are not sharp out of the package. Using the appropriate hook hone or file for the size of the hook is imperative. I like the small "pencil" type diamond hook sharpeners for small hooks, and the larger "file" type hook sharpeners for larger hooks.

Aaron Shirley
www.gettinghooked.net

Tip 2

To alleviate the problems of line twist on your spinning reel because of fresh line, simply take your spool off of the reel and run it under your hot water tap for 2 to 3 minutes.

This changes the memory from the manufacturer's spool size to your spool size.  This allows longer, smoother casts with less twists and knots.

By Darren Jacko 
Pro Angler and Guide  
519-688-8073

Tip 1

One of the most common mistakes anglers make is they don't think about spooking fish until they are actually fishing. Long before they have made their first cast, they grab their anchor and start their best impersonation of an Olympic shot-putter, firing their anchor into the lake with a thunderous boom.
You will find yourself with a lot more happy endings to your angling adventures if you gradually lower your anchor into the water.

By: Dave Mercer
Pro Angler and host of The Facts of Fishing