When fishing, tackle can get expensive!
There are so many lures out there that it's hard, I admit, to resist adding one more to your tackle box every time you go into the tackle store. So, in the spirit of saving a little money, here are a few ideas.
Your Hooks and Lures
Fish are attracted to most lures or spinners. But most hooks today in the hook-swivel-split ring package are made from hard metal, which easily snags on logs and branches. This generally results in you loosing your lure. So what I do is change my hooks, as soon as I buy them, to a softer, snag-proof one.
People are sometimes concerned that their fish will get away with a softer hook, but this cannot happen. You see, when a hard hook snags a branch or log, it is the pointy tip of the hook that goes into the log. So when you pull, the softer hook can straighten itself out (this of course is where a harder hook will break). But when a hook is inside a fish, it is not the hook's tip that is being pulled on, it is the bend in the hook. And when you pull on your line in that situation, I assure you that your soft hook will not straighten and free the fish.
Usually I change the hooks of my lyres to a Gamakatsu Si-wash hook because it has a longer shank and open eyes, which makes adding the hook on to a split ring or a swivel really easy. Use pliers and close that eye after the hook is attached. Go ahead and grab a pack of Si-wash hooks when you're out buying lures next time. Just remember to match the size of your lure's hook to the Si-wash hooks.
Leader and Lines
You have so many things to consider when putting line to reels, and for me, Shimano can't be beat. They have every type of reel you can think of, for every fishing situation, including some very neat digital reels. And their prices suit everyone's pocketbook. I only use Shimano.
When you buy larger, one shot spools for re-spooling your reels, you typically pay between seventeen and twenty-two dollars for 220 yards. Now, most reels only hold 120 to 175 yards so, because you don't want to use the same diameter for leader as mainline, that extra 45 to 100 yards is waste! If instead you take your reels into the tackle store for re-spooling, you'll only pay for the exact amount of line that actually goes on to the reel. Re-spooling in this way will usually save you over 50%.
If you save your spools and have the tackle store spool the diameter you use most often for mainline, then, when you need new line, re-spool the reel with the bulk line. I like fifteen to twenty pound test.
There are so many lures out there that it's hard, I admit, to resist adding one more to your tackle box every time you go into the tackle store. So, in the spirit of saving a little money, here are a few ideas.
Your Hooks and Lures
Fish are attracted to most lures or spinners. But most hooks today in the hook-swivel-split ring package are made from hard metal, which easily snags on logs and branches. This generally results in you loosing your lure. So what I do is change my hooks, as soon as I buy them, to a softer, snag-proof one.
People are sometimes concerned that their fish will get away with a softer hook, but this cannot happen. You see, when a hard hook snags a branch or log, it is the pointy tip of the hook that goes into the log. So when you pull, the softer hook can straighten itself out (this of course is where a harder hook will break). But when a hook is inside a fish, it is not the hook's tip that is being pulled on, it is the bend in the hook. And when you pull on your line in that situation, I assure you that your soft hook will not straighten and free the fish.
Usually I change the hooks of my lyres to a Gamakatsu Si-wash hook because it has a longer shank and open eyes, which makes adding the hook on to a split ring or a swivel really easy. Use pliers and close that eye after the hook is attached. Go ahead and grab a pack of Si-wash hooks when you're out buying lures next time. Just remember to match the size of your lure's hook to the Si-wash hooks.
Leader and Lines
You have so many things to consider when putting line to reels, and for me, Shimano can't be beat. They have every type of reel you can think of, for every fishing situation, including some very neat digital reels. And their prices suit everyone's pocketbook. I only use Shimano.
When you buy larger, one shot spools for re-spooling your reels, you typically pay between seventeen and twenty-two dollars for 220 yards. Now, most reels only hold 120 to 175 yards so, because you don't want to use the same diameter for leader as mainline, that extra 45 to 100 yards is waste! If instead you take your reels into the tackle store for re-spooling, you'll only pay for the exact amount of line that actually goes on to the reel. Re-spooling in this way will usually save you over 50%.
If you save your spools and have the tackle store spool the diameter you use most often for mainline, then, when you need new line, re-spool the reel with the bulk line. I like fifteen to twenty pound test.
About the Author:
Derek is passionate about Shimano fishing. For more information on the best prices you'll find online, visit Shimano reels.
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