Bass fishing, and fishing in general, is a hobby with many tools, accessories, and gadgets. It is a never-ending quest for something that will solve a problem or make our lives easier by allowing us to be more efficient on the water. There are plenty of ways to spend your hard-earned money. Some of these items might not be worth it, but the following are things that are worth taking a look into as they can significantly improve your efficiency and organization.
Tools
There are a few must-have tools for any angler, and this includes things like pliers to remove hooks and something to cut your line after retying. For cutting line, there are many ways to do it, and you can often do fine with a pair of nail clippers or scissors, but for efficiency and for cutting braided lines, there are better options.
One of the best ways to cut braid, as well as fluorocarbon or monofilament, is with a specialized pair of cutters like the Pitbull Tackle Braided Line Cutter. These are great for cutting line and will even cut braided line in a slack position, meaning you don't have to pull it tight to get an excellent, clean cut. They are reasonably priced and have withstood the abuse of bouncing around in a boat for a few seasons without showing any decreased cutting power.
Another option is the various snips from Boomerang Tool Company. They do a great job cutting all lines and are very easy to use. One good tip is to utilize the clip on your boat, life vest, or tackle bag. They feature a retractable leash so you can pull it closer to you and then retract back for easy storage.
Line Management
Fishing line is something we all carry when we go fishing because you never know when you'll need to re-spool on the water. If you've ever had to put a new line on while fishing, you know that it can be a challenge. One great way to eliminate some of those hassles is to attach a DD26 Spool Stix to your boat. It's a simple device that holds your reel spool while you reel new line onto your reel. You can do it without assistance from a fishing buddy, and the Spool Stix folds back in when not in use.
Another simple but easy way to manage your spools of line is the Dr. C Fishing Line Dr. It's an elastic band with a brass grommet for your line. It can be adjusted to any spool and does a great job of keeping your line in place without unraveling. If you loosen it just right, you can pull out the line you need for a leader with ease. It's a handy accessory that will make your life easier and more organized.
For removing line, you can pull and pull until all of your line is removed, but the Berkley Line Stripper Max is much faster. It attaches to your drill, and you can remove the line from a reel in an instant. When done, pull off the base, and the line will be right there for easy disposal.
Dry Boxes and Bags
We bass anglers collect plenty of tackle and miscellaneous items, and keeping them organized is always challenging. There are tackle boxes that do great for keeping all of our lures and terminal tackle in one place, but it's the other stuff that tends to get out of control.
For bags of soft plastics and other small items like spools of line, bags are a simple and effective way to store them. Sure, gallon freezer bags will do the trick, but they tend to get damaged during a fishing season. Thankfully, there are better options that are more durable with better zipper systems. One of these is the Bass Mafia Money Bags, which are thicker plastic and built to last. There are also other similar options on the market, and each is a significant improvement over standard storage bags.
A dry box is another great tool for keeping essential things dry and protected. One good option is the Toadfish Dry Box, which is durable and crushproof. It also has a unique suction cup design, which you can use to attach to a kayak. In addition to keeping your phone, wallet, or other items dry, they are perfect for keeping tools in. This will keep wrenches and other things protected and rust-free for when you need them.
Other Miscellaneous Must-Haves
There are a handful of other accessories that will help keep your equipment operating perfectly and your baits looking great. One is a good reel oil, such as the Lucas Oil Fishing Reel Oil. It comes in a small bottle with a needle applicator, so you can easily add a drop or two of oil if you get a squeaky reel. It comes in handy and only takes up a little space, even when stored in your boat.
There are times when adding a little chartreuse or orange to the tips or tails of your soft plastics will generate additional bites. You can use dips and dyes or a marker like the Spike-It or Zoom dye markers. They are quick, easy to use, and mess-free, and you can customize your baits instantly.
One more great thing to have on the boat is something to clean the screen of your electronics. Water spots make it difficult to see everything on your screen, and they are easy to remove with a good microfiber or cleaning cloth and a spray. The Boat Bling Glass Sauce works as advertised, and the kit comes with a towel that makes this process quick and effortless.
There are plenty of products available to buy, and some of them may be unnecessary, but the items listed above have proven themselves as worthy. They are all ingenious solutions to common problems bass anglers face.
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