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Old 07-08-2015, 10:05 AM   #13
HobieScot
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 370
Quote:
Originally Posted by mrJB View Post
Cheap Tricks (No, not the 70’s rock ’n’ roll band)


I enjoy kayak fishing not only for the thrill of catching fish while seated six inches off the ocean in the middle of nowhere, but also for the many creative ways of outfitting the kayak and creating kayak-related fishing gear. Saving a few bucks doesn’t hurt either. A few that work for me:




Attachment 1699>>
1 - Fishfinder (Eagle) plug protection: A 3/8” screw protector cover, available in the parts bins at Home Depot or Lowe’s, for around $.50. For use on those days when you don’t attach your fishfinder or if you store your yak outside.



Attachment 1700>>
2 - Reel Covers: Rather than pay eight bucks and up for a reel cover, which I’ll probably lose anyway, I make my own for about $1.25 from one of those soda/beer can neoprene insulators, and a piece of Velcro strap. Can coolers about $1 at Walmart and a pack of the Velcro straps for a few bucks from Walmart, Home Depot, etc. These insulated can “koozies” seem to fit calcuttas, lunas, and small avets pretty well and can help eliminate a lot of future “boat rash” on the reel.



3 - Sacrificial Wear Strips: Several layers of duct tape strips on the keel of your yak, and some transparent packing tape strips on the critical areas of that nice gold baitcaster you just got. They’ll need to be replaced every few trips.



Attachment 1701>>
4 - Rod Cork Grip Protection: I spray the cork grips on my inshore rods with Scotchguard, the type for outdoor goods like tents and such. Helps make the grips easier to clean and prevents blood and grime from getting ground into the cork. Will take overnight to dry but doesn’t seem to discolor the cork.


>Attachment 1702>
5 - Paddle Leash: Can’t seem to figure out why someone would spend big bucks on some super light, high-end paddle, just to save a few ounces of weight, and then tether it to the yak with a 10 ounce wet leash. I make mine from some thin poly rope – weighs next to nothing and doesn’t stay wet.
I know the original post is an oldie but a goodie but here is my take on how to save the cork on our rods. I picked up some electrical shrink tape and slid it over the cork then used a heat gun to shrink it into place. Now it has a water proof cover and nice grip to it. I've been doing this for years.

My second tool I use as a de hooker for shark or other fish you don't want to mess with trying to remove the hook from. It's basically an adjustable painters pole with an eyelet screwed and gorilla glued into the end then bent into the shape I wanted. It adjusts out to 4 feet if needed. It's basically a cheap knock off of a commercial one. But I wanted it to be adjustable so I can use it on the different types of boats I fish on. It works pretty well and keeps you from having to cut the leader and leave the hook in the Shark when you release it. Just hook the line and slide down to the bend in the hook and give a couple of hard sharp downward strokes and the hook usually pop out without much fuss!
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