By Mike Frisch
Recently, I was on a fishing outing where an angling partner did something minor that led to a big catch. We were fishing bass by casting various moving baits over the tops of emerging weeds. We had caught several fish when I “missed” a couple fish in a row. When my partner missed a fish, he quickly took out a hook sharpener and touched up the treble hooks on his crankbait and hooked his next bite. That fish just happened to be a fat largemouth that tipped the scale to nearly 5 pounds. Taking his cue, I used his sharpener on my lure hooks, and my subsequent catch rate went back up too.
Starting with quality hooks that are sharp is good advice but so is remembering to touch them up periodically too. Hook sharpening might seem like a small detail, but as I saw that day it can lead to good results. There are other small details that can make big differences in fishing success. Here’s a couple more examples.
I love fishing largemouth bass on couple of off-colored, shallow water bass honey holes near my home. Today’s sonar technologies help me find fish on these lakes, but since lots of the weeds that I find the biggest bass in grow near the surface, my best fish-finding gear is often my own two eyes! With the aid of quality polarized sunglasses, I spend time cruising looking in the water to find dense weed clumps and the open pockets in those clumps that often hold big bass. While high-tech sonar technologies get much attention today, remembering to have quality polarized sunglasses in the boat is a necessary ingredient too. For that reason, I rely on a pair of new S11 Murray sunglasses. They do a great job helping me see clearly in the water in a variety of light conditions and help protect my eyes. The best part is they’re affordable so I always keep an extra pair in my boat should I forget mine or a fishing partner needs them too. That extra set of glasses has already bailed a fishing partner out on a trip this summer!
Sharp hooks and having extra sunglasses in the boat might seem like minor details but paying attention to those details can be fishing trip savers. Another issue that has plagued me a few times in my fishing career is waking up to dead trolling motor batteries – for various reasons – when I thought they were charging. Since I’ve had those experiences, I am paranoid that when I plug my battery charger in at night that I will wake up on tournament day, a guide trip morning, or a TV filming day and again experience the panic of no trolling motor power! This summer I rigged my boats with Millertech lithium batteries. They have proven powerful, reliable, and feature a phone app. With it, I can easily see that my batteries are charging and monitor the charge status as well. Maybe not a big thing, but I sleep better the night before a big day on the water knowing my boat’s power system will be ready to go in the morning!
Small details like maintaining sharp hooks, having sunglasses, and knowing your boat batteries are charged might seem minor, but paying attention to them can make for more fishing success or maybe even save your day on the water. Good luck fishing and, as always, remember to include a youngster in your next outdoors adventure!
Mike Frisch hosts the popular Fishing the Midwest TV series. Visit www.fishingthemidwest.com to learn more.
PHOTO – Mike Frisch lifts aboard an “eater” walleye. Paying attention to small details can lead to more successful fishing regardless the species you chase!
