Categories
Fishing

11 Must-Have Items to Include In Fishing Tackle Box

The contents of the tackle box will vary in relation to the type of fishing, but it helps to be prepared with the proper stuff to make the fishing better and easier.

Fishing Lures and Tackle BoxA tackle box checklist should consist of items like extra fishing line, sinkers, scales, insect repellent, sharp knife, needlenose pliers, hooks, swivels, floaters, sunscreen, and leaders.

Here are eleven of the useful tools that feature in a well-prepared fishing tackle box:

1 – Adjustable Wrench

An adjustable wrench is a practical tool to add to the tackle box and comes in handy for tightening bolts to opening reel covers.

2 – First-Aid Kit

A complete first-aid kit is certain to be an instant remedy for treating minor injuries when out on the water. Plus, include aspirin or similar over-the-counter medication to help treat headaches, aches, or pains. Also, include other regular medication that is needed for the general health.

3 – File

A reliable file will help with sharpening the knife and keeping hooks sharp. The most promising files are the triangle or flat models. Alternatively, a whetstone can be kept in the tackle box to offer a similar function, although the file is more lightweight and versatile.

4 – Flashlight

A flashlight is a versatile tool and helps in a variety of situations including signaling for help.

5 – Kitchen towel

A roll of kitchen towel or similar is certain to help with wiping up sunscreen to starting a fire. A Ziploc bag is a perfect place to keep the supplies that should be kept free of moisture.

6 – Knife

A knife in stainless steel is certain to offer long-term performance and less likely to rust in the damp environment. Sharp knives are useful in a variety of applications, from cutting fishing line, opening tins, cutting bait, etc. A multi-function knife can also come with a scaling blade.

7 – Lighter

A simple lighter can offer a versatile tool in a variety of situations where heat can benefit. It can be used to repair damage to plastic worms to melting the tips of nylon rope to avoid issues with fraying.

8 – Lures

A tackle box is never complete without a varied selection of lures. Make sure to pack the lures to match the type of fishing and species to ensure the activity is more productive. Plus, include a lure dye to help instantly change the color of the fish bait in seconds.

9 – Nail Clippers

A pair of nail clippers is perfect for clipping fishing line.

10 – Needlenose Pliers

Use a set of needlenose pliers to help remove hooks from the captured fish. Most of these pliers have cutters to help with clipping the line. Plus, these versatile tools can also help with crimp leaders, mash splitshot, and similar other duties.

11 – Sunscreen

Sunscreen is a must for those fishermen that will be exposed to strong sunlight for long periods of time while out fishing. Repeat applications are necessary to put back on what is lost as you sweat throughout the day.

Categories
Fishing

Bass Fishing Tips & Tactics

Bass is a generic term that can relate to several species of fish. A popular fish species often visualized is the largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) and one of the most sought by fisherman.

Largemouth Bass

Other types include:

  • White bass (Morone chrysops)
  • Striped bass (M. saxatilis)
  • Spotted bass (M. punctulatus)
  • Smallmouth bass (M. dolomieu)
  • Guadalupe bass (M. treculii)
  • Choctaw bass (M. haiaka)

Largemouth bass

A highly popular fish in North America, the largemouth bass is olive green in color with a distinct dark strip and can reach up to 22 pounds in weight and 29.5 inches in body length. This popular game fish survives on a diet of snakes, small fish, shrimp, scuds, insects, frogs, crawfish, and bait fish. Life expectancy in the wild is in the region of 16 years. Largemouth bass can easily catch prey that is at least 25-50% of body length.

Here are several of the most practical tips and tactics for bass fishing:

Pre-spawn season

Bass fishing is particularly active throughout the largemouth pre-spawn season. The start of pre-spawn is usually early spring when the temperature of the water starts to reach 55-65°. Throughout this period the male and female fish will start to feed aggressively in the shallow areas and seek out the most attractive nesting site. Bass are easy to detect during this time and often quite close to shore. Use a catch and release policy for the female fish to ensure the spawning cycle can be completed.

Bass habits

Weather can dictate the whereabouts of bass. Bright sunlight can force the fish to look for areas of shelter. Bass are more active when there is little sun or cloudy and will leave their place of shelter. So, when it is sunny outside, the best fishing areas to keep your live bait or lure are those places the fish might use for protection and shelter.

Right time of day

Bass fishing is most productive at the start of the day or left until the evening. The best time to arrive at a preferred fishing spot is one or two hours before sunset or sunup – although bass will feed earlier in the afternoon if the water is muddy or it is a cloudy day.

Map study

Study a map to help identify drops-offs and different depths. Most bodies of water have maps and easily source online using local or state resources. Maps can also list sunken structures or cribs that are used for protection. A map can be marked with successful or non-productive areas for future reference.

Captured bass

A captured bass will often throw-up the stomach contents when fighting you. By looking inside the mouth, it is possible to see the feed and this can be mimicked with a similar looking lure. Alternatively, for live bait try to catch what the bass are feeding on and hook that to the end of the line.

Watch the line

Give the line a thorough examination every so often to ensure it isn’t starting to fray or wear. The fishing line is often in contact with stumps, branches, gravel, rocks, etc. A low-quality line can easily break, especially when targeting a monster bass.

Size of lure

The size of lure isn’t likely to have an impact on the size of fish you hook. Many of the largemouth bass will go after prey that is a quarter or half its body length. If unsuccessful at catching any bass on your lures, it might be practical to swap-out for a smaller size to see if more positive results are achieved.

Live bait

If artificial lures aren’t producing the productive catch of bass it might benefit to start using a variety of live bait. Frogs, crayfish, and worms are great options to use as live bait. A slip bobber can also be used to help with adjusting the baits depth for more effective casting.