Little Things That Make a World of Difference
In life it’s often the little things that make the greatest difference. The following list of small but amazing things has made a big difference in my life as a professional fisher.
Best Leash
www.bestleash.com
The Best Leash is a nine-foot adjustable nylon dog leash that allows me to keep connected to my guide dog Maestro even when I’m using both hands for something else, like fishing. They say the highest complement a dog can pay its master is to come when it’s called. No worries about whether puppy is feeling magnanimous when using the Best Leash as you simply need to take hold of the leash either looped over your shoulder or around your waste, and presto, the dog is back under control. I especially like the leash as it allows me to tether myself to the dog while in the boat so that if either of us should fall out; I need not worry about being separated.
Fish Hands Free
www.fishhandsfree.com
The Fish Hands Free product is a set of hooks that can be attached to any fishing garment or PDF, and serves as a rest for the rod when both hands are needed for other tasks, like releasing that monster Pike you just netted. Excellent when fishing from the kayak, but I find it handy too when fishing in my boat. Not having to put the rod down means that I not only don’t have to look for it later, but there’s less chance of the rod being stepped on or crushed. Simple, easy to install, and it works!
Drop Shot Weight Keeper System
www.reeltimedesigns.com
While these clips may have been designed originally for use on drop-shot rods to clip up drop-shot weights, they work great for all baits. I’ve now had them installed on almost all my rods. The idea is to keep the drop-shot weight from swinging around causing damage to the carbon of your fishing rods, but work great for securely and conveniently holding my Carp fishing weights, plastic trailers, tubes, Senkos, etc, and their over-sized design means easy and quick attaching and detaching. They come with tape that allows for self installation, but I’ve had mine installed permanently by my local rod repair shop.
Fishing Butlers
www.fishingbutler.com
I’ve written about these little life-savers before, but think they deserve another quick mention. The product is meant for holding two-piece fishing rods together when the rod has been taken apart. It’s basically two short bungees with clever small plastic clasps that allow you to tighten or slacken the loop of the bungee. I use them all the time and have even devised a system for hanging my one and 2-piece rods from the sealing of my work shop. They also make it possible to fully rig up my two-piece rods and then transport them without tangling.
Hiking Pole
Go into any good outdoor store and you will find a great assortment of telescopic light-weight hiking poles. They have ergonomic handles, a variety of tips to suit all terrains, and best of all, they float. Yes, no more heavy metal white canes resting on the bottom below the dock.
Crochet Hooks:
Last but not least, the wonderful little crochet hook. For years I’ve been using my tongue to guide fishing line through the eyes of hooks and lures. Easy enough with Mono or Flora line, but a different story with braid. Braid is like string. It has some body when dry, but when wet, it’s like pushing rope. A size 1.10 mm crochet hook purchased at any Walmart is the best size. It has a fine wire bend at the end of the hook which allows you to easily feed the hook through the eye of a lure, jig, drop-shot weight, etc. Use the miniature hook to grasp hold of the line and pull it back through. Ideal also for dealing with those painted over jig hooks and feeding line through the line guide on baitcast reels.