tackle

Before I set out for a day of fishing (or even an hour), I always make sure I have certain things on hand. Below is a basic list, and I do mean basic, of what you should have available when you go. I hope this helps. Feel free to sign my frontpage guestbook with any other ideas you have.

Pliers: Here is a necessity that I've actually seen people try to do without or try to use a pair of toolbox pliers. Proper fishing pliers are a must. They are made specifically for removing hooks, cutting fishine line, mashing down barbs and many other tasks that you may have to handle while out on the water.

First Aid Kit: This is by far the most important item you will carry with you. It should at the least contain the following: a variety of band-aids (don't forget those for the fingers), several 4X4 inch gauze pads, 3-inch gauze roll, roll of medical tape, an elastic bandage with safety pins for closure (I keep a 4-inch one), bulk dressing, disposable latex gloves, antimicrobial towelettes and/or alcohol wipes, antibiotic ointment (preferrably in a tube), iodine compound, acetaminophen, tweezers, small scissors. Also, if you are allergic to bee stings, an extra kit should be on hand as well as allergy medications or inhalers.

Spinnerbaits: These are great for cool early-season fishing.

Crankbaits: I use both slow retrieves with wide-action baits and shimmy action plugs at a faster speed.

Jigs: I find bright colors work the best (think neon) but I do carry some muted colors too (ie brown/black)

Tubes: I use tubes rigged in a number of ways for bass. I Texas-rig some for snag-free fishing around bushes and weeds; others are Texas-rigged with the hook point under the skin of the lure. Still others are rigged with the hook-guard jig or Carolina-rigged. I also use both dark and light colored tubes. Darks are great for bottom fishing and the light ones, I swim or hop above the bottom.

George Perry caught the world-record largemouth bass on 2 June 1932 using a Creek Chub Perch Scale Wiggle Fish #2401? In 1992, Bass Pro Shops offered a Limited Edition Perch Scale Wiggle Fish. 5000 were numbered and sold in a copy of the original Creek Chub box. The present value for this Limited Edition in its original box in normal colors and excellent condition is anywhere from $85 - $125.

Plastic Worms: Use short shank, wide gap hoks. Add enough weight to cast easily. Texas rig these minis and cast into every cover type. Fish all levels and keep changing colors until something clicks.

Spinnerbaits: The compact design of these make them cast better during windy periods. Let it sink until the line goes slack, than hip hop it over the bottom. Also try reeling them in so fast it doesn't quite break water but humps the surface.

Slim Minnows: These are the "rapala-type" lures. They look and wiggle like minnows and can be worked top to bottom. Remember that when a shiner is scared, it holds still. You should fish this look-alikes on the surface, slowly counting to 10 between miniscule twitches or slow steady movement just under the surface.

Jigging Spoons: These are ideal for vertical fishing on a tight line, directly below your rod tip. They work well in hot weather or when bass are deep. You can wind drift slowly, twitching the spoon so it continuously contacts the bottom.