Jan. '00
Last month's tip covered the "little things" to bring on your
long-range trip. This month we cover items that are more directly related to
fishing than creature comfort. These are items you absolutely need when you are
fishing.
First is a rod belt. The light leather belts are fine for short trips or for
small fish. But when the fish size increases to 50 lbs. and up it is time to
upgrade to a stronger belt. As good aluminum belt like a Smitty's large day belt
would be an excellent choice. This belt is more than sufficient for short trips,
standard equipment on fall "10 day trips", and a good light duty belt
for excursions to Clarion Island.
When the big boys show up it is time to bring out the heavy artillery. A
Smitty's large or X-large big game belt or a Taniguchi belt is what you will
need. To help land the big ones you will also need a harness. Be sure that it
rest low on the back or fits around your butt. These sit down harnesses
are great as long as you are careful not to put too much pressure on the line or
the fish. You must be prepared in case of the line breaks or the hook pulls out.
The best way to prevent this from happening is to use fresh line and adjust your
drags correctly. Smitty makes two styles of butt harnesses and Taniguchi also
has an excellent one.
You also need rigging tools like crimpers or swaggers, hook sharpeners, and
cutting pliers. There are two different types of crimpers. One crushes (crimps)
the single barrel crimps that you can use for wire or cable and the other
squeezes (swages) the sides of the double barrel crimps that you use for heavy
mono leaders, wire or cable. If you are only going to get one type, get a
swagger. You can buy enough different size crimps to cover all of the heavy mono
and cable leader material. You can also buy pre-made wire live bait leaders and
forget the crimping tool.
A good hook sharpener is a must as dull hooks do not hook many fish. Just a
couple of swipes with the file and you are ready to go. Cutting pliers have many
uses on board. You can cut and retie, remove yourself from a tangle and
you can even use them to save your life when the 400 lb. tuna drags you and your
outfit over the rail and into the deep blue water.
Most anglers bring a tackle box to store their terminal gear. When in doubt
about what size box to bring, bigger is better. As for construction, wood,
plastic or soft packs are fine. Be sure that you organize the box so you can
find what you need quickly. To keep the box stationary on a rocking boat put
your heavy sinkers and lures on the bottom of the box and your lightweight items
like hooks in the upper portion of the box. For anglers who fish from the skiff
on the long range boats you may want to bring a small box for skiff fishing.
In the past anglers have brought on board "rocket launchers" to hold
their rods. The problem with this is that these rods holders have a bad habit of
moving around and ending up in the way. If you were planning to bring one of
these I would recommend that you store it topside and secure in place with
bungee cords. I like to store all my International topside when not in use.
These reels are very expensive and I really do not want them to be in harms way
on deck rod racks. Also, they will not take a saltwater bath when they are
topside.
One item that can help you I.D. your fish at the end of the trip is colored
electrical tie wraps. The numbers that get stapled to the gill plates of the
fish can disappear in the slammer. I bring a few for any fish that might be a
jackpot contender or a fish that I really want to keep. These ties helped me
find a couple of bluefin that lost their tags on one trip. You can also
you these ties to I.D. different fish, blue ties for bluefin, yellow ties for
yellowfin that way when you get home you will not give someone the wrong fish by
mistake.
Don't forget to bring Flexx Wrap to protect your hands from line cuts. A
disinfectant spray and an antibacterial crème to aid in healing cuts. On the
long trips bring a nail clipper. As well as various gels or rubs for sore
muscles. I think that about covers it. Someone will e-mail me that I have
forgotten something and I will add it later.