How to Avoid Common Mistakes
If you’re like me, you probably have run into many people that have invested thousands on their boat but still have difficulty capitalizing on their fishing opportunities. One thing that some of these folks usually share is the “penny wise and dollar foolish” syndrome. For these folks the problem isn’t buying the most boat their budget can handle or furnishing it with shiny new “golden” reels. The real problem surfaces when you start to look at the small details. Neglecting to stock the proper equipment can lead to disastrous results. Hopefully after reading a bit more you can keep yourself from falling into this trap.
One area that I am always concerned with whenever I step foot on someone else’s boat is the gaff department. I can vividly recall several occasions when the only gaff available for a ten pound fish looked like it should be buried in Moby Dick. Needless to say that more times than not this results in a lost fish and a sad story. The same can be said for not having a landing net if you are fishing for smaller species. Fish are usually not very patient when being landed so it’s up to there captors to be ready at all times.
Another comic event that I have seen take place many times is when the bite heats up only to find a shortage of terminal tackle such as hooks, leaders, swivels, sinkers, etc. How could someone spend all that money on a trip, only to skimp on the really important things like tackle. Besides having the right tackle, there are other simple things that need to be kept handy on any fishing boat. Some of these essentials are pliers, gloves, spotlight, binoculars, foul weather gear and last but not least a good anchor set up accompanied with a buoy retrieval system. Today there are literally thousands of gadgets on the market claiming to help anglers improve their catch. Everyone must analyze their particular fishing style and decide what gear will be kept onboard the boat.
Once you determine your needs and you become proficient at catching your favorite species a new challenge will arise. What to do with all of that fish? One of the most under rated tools among new anglers and even some veterans is knives. Anyone that has ever attempted to clean their catch using dull knives knows the meaning of frustration. After fishing in the hot sun all day long nobody wants to suffer while cleaning up. Knives are another area where you do not want to skimp on. Good quality cutlery doesn’t come cheap and either does a top quality sharpening stone. Personally, I own several knives with each having its own particular application. Even when I fish on someone else’s boat I sometimes bring along my own fish cleaning gear. Just imagine trying to fillet a 150# swordfish with a dull knife at 4 a.m. Hopefully the tips mentioned above will help you enjoy your next outing a little bit more. Sometimes seemingly insignificant details can make the difference between a good time or a lot of four letter words.
TIGHT LINES,
Orlando Muniz
