5 gear secrets from a pro fishing guide to keep you catching all day

#4  ESSENTIAL TOOLS

When you’re running multiple rods and rigs for various species, and bouncing around between structure and open water, your gear takes a beating. A squeaky reel, dull hook point or jammed split ring can cost you prime minutes when the bite is hot. That’s why pros keep a lean tool kit in their boat, complete with multiple types and sizes of pliers, precision cutters, a good hook file, a small multi-tool and a tiny bottle of oil for sticky gears.

It’s not glamorous, but a quick touch-up to ensure your hooks are sharp helps you stick fish that just swipe or slap at a bait. That’s especially critical for hooks that need to instantly penetrate the jawbone of hard-headed fish such as lake trout. If you chase big predators, toss in jaw spreaders and heavy-duty cutters, too. Getting a deeply hooked muskie or pike unpinned safely can save your hands and ensure the long-term health of the released fish.

 

#5  BACK-UP COMBOS

Gear malfunctions are inevitable—tips break, reels seize up and line backlashes—so back-up combos are a must. Insurance aside, back-up rigs also give you tactical flexibility. That’s why smart multispecies anglers keep different combos rigged and ready with totally different presentations. If you jump from bass to pike, for example, a second combo lets you shift targets without wasting time cutting and retying. Just keep it rigged with a go-to confidence bait that works for whatever cruises by.

Remember, the best anglers don’t waste time wondering if they’ll need to adapt—they plan for it.