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Dan Galusha,Dan’s Fishin Tales(r) Writer/Radio Host:“Tools for Fishing”
By Dan Galusha
Tools For Fishing
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Arod, reel, line, lure and tackle box are part of every anglers fishing equipment. There are some other items, while having other uses, can be called “tools for fishing”. Binoculars are used in many sports, but they are not often seen in use by a fisherman, other than on the Great Lakes or in saltwater areas. They are an extremely useful tool. Feeding or schooling action can be seen from a distance. This is very important when chasing any of the striped bass family, and when the Kentucky spotted bass are feeding in larger bodies of water. Another use is for looking for a certain type of shore line. For example, if fish are being caught on a gravel area with scattered chunk rock, an angler can scan other shores to see if there is anything similar. Not to forget the ice fisherman, binoculars are an excellent way to watch tip-ups, and to look for distant areas of possible bad ice. There are other things as well that may require getting a closer look, including enjoying nature, and, on the safety side, spotting a person that needs assistance.
It is a good idea to get a top quality pair of waterproof binoculars. I’ve tried a few, but have found the Pentax DCF WPto work very well. Mine are 10x42, but they are also available in 8x42. The Super-Multi-Coating combined with Pentax’s phase coating on the lenses creates one of the brightest and sharpest views I have ever experienced with a viewing device. Further details can be found on the Pentax web site at www.pentax.com.
Along the same path as binoculars is a camera. The camera not only allows an angler to take photos of a catch before its release, but it also helps identify a location for future reference. When the water is low, or before a new lake is completely filled, take photos of the structure that will later be under the surface, and hopefully holding fish. It is also very
helpful for ice fishing. Take a photo of some land marks when a potential spot is found while using the boat, and then look back at this when the terrain has changed with snow cover. Lake maps are a vital part of a serious angler’s equipment. Having one loose in the boat some times ends up blowing out as the boat is powered down the lake. An item called a Map Trap can solve this problem. It is a solid, clear plastic unit, which seals a map inside, and weights it to the floor of the boat. An angler is able to mark the outside case with an erasable pen. This helps for quick reference when discussing locations, but doesn’t mark the map permanently. The pen and Map Trap can also be used to keep track of catches during a tournament to help in culling fish. Further information on this product can be obtained from Gameday Products, 697 Willett Ave., Riverside, RI 02915; or by phoning 888-442-6332. For the high-tech angler folded road maps can be a thing of the past. When a location for a new fishing spot is known pop it into a laptop computer using Delorme’s Street Atlas USA. Team this with an Earthmate GPS, and it will take you right to the spot. The map program can also be Apair of hemostats is the perfect tool for helping release a brown trout back into White River, to grow used in conjunction with Phone Search, which will aide in located the numbers for any area tackle shops or resorts. For more information on these programs check out Delorme’s web site at www.delorme.com. From high-tech to manual labor, a very handy unit to have in a vehicle, boat or during a trip on the ice is Gerber’s Utility Pack. This product is a nylon folding case, which contains a small first aid kit, flashlight, folding shovel, ax, bigger, and once folding saw and multi-pupose tool. Most applications are self-evident, but the ax and again test an folding saw are excellent tools for removing brush, and small limbs to aid in reachangler’s line. ing inaccessible fishing spot, that perhaps nobody else has touched. In that respect, I have removed a limb, which was blocking my bass boat from an access point to a potentially good fish producing brush pile. Just remember not to use these tools to cut down, or damage living trees, when it is not an emergency. The folding shovel works well for ice fishermen to remove snow from small areas, and dip skim ice from holes. As for the multi-purpose tool, there are all sort of uses, but the main one would be the use of the long nose pliers for quick hook removals. More details can be obtained on the Gerber web site at www.gerberblades. com; or by contacting Gerber at Cover the field of tools an P.O. Box 23088, Portland, OR 97281-3088; phone 503-639-6161. There are many products that are not identified as fishing tackle, but can be used as tools for fishing. Until next time, get out on the water andoutdoorsman can have a great day of fishing. use, but getting Visit the Dan’s Fish ‘N’Tales(r) web site at www.dansfishntales. com, a Gerber Sport where you can contact me, and also link to the Adventure Sports Utility Pack. Outdoors website.
Waterproof binoculars are a must for any angler.
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