Find
ways to maximize your fishing time while on the water.
After all if your line isnt in the water, it's kind of
hard to catch anything. Try to do as much in advance as
possible and have contingency plans in place for the inevitable
glitches, so you can spend your time fishing. Here are
some common sense suggestions:
- Make
leaders the nite before. I even tie on yarn and floats/corkies
the night before. See tying egg loop leaders here.
- Pre-make
the right size weights you are going to need- pencil
lead, slinkies, etc.
- Pre-rig
your rod the nite before so that when you get to the
water, all you need to do is add bait and cast.
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Palomar
Knot
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- Make
sure your rod & reel are in good working condition the
nite before; no backlashes, loose screws, scritchy drags,
fresh line, etc. You dont want to have to do equipment maintenance
while fishing.
- Have
a backup rod/reel, just in case.
- Consider
having several rigs made up for different techniques, ie
one for float fishing, plug fishing, etc.
- Take
extra line with you. Multiple break-offs or getting spooled
shouldnt end your fishing day early.
- Definitely
bring a complete change of clothes. You never know when
you will take that one wrong step.
- Gather
Internet info the night before so you know what to expect
and possibly change your plans ahead of time, ie water levels,
water temp, fishing reports, combat fishing conditions,
etc.
- Check
with a reliable source for a fishing report on the river
you will be targeting. Ask what techniques are working.
This is one of the most important points to help you fish
when and where fish are present.
- Purchase
consumables the nite before, ie gas, food, ice, beverages,
etc. so you dont have to stop on the way to the water.
Finally,
make sure you have everything you need for a good day's fishing.
See our Fishing Checklist here.
Think
about all the things you do that take time away from having
a line in the water and try to prepare in advance. Organize
your stuff so the most used things are closest at-hand. Basically
employ the old Boy Scout model -- be prepared. Frankly, its
been my experience that the more well-prepared I am in advance,
the more fun, (and less stress), I have fishing!
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