Retriever keeper
Ever try to deal with your plug knocker or lure retriever when you're fishing by yourself? You're trying to hold your rod with one hand, control your boat in the wind with your trolling motor and chase down your lure retriever all at the same time. I solved this by storing the cord for my plug knocker on an old automatic fly reel, then attaching this to the grab rail next to the passenger seat of my boat with two heavy-duty plastic wire ties. Now the retriever is in the same place every time, and all I have to do is reach over, grab the retriever and hook the line to it. Then once I've got the plug free, I just push the button on the reel and it rewinds itself automatically.
Bill Yancy, McMinnville, Tenn.
Trailer tire saver
Many weekend anglers leave their boat on its trailer, parked in their driveway. While a cover can protect the interior of the boat, the trailer tires are invariably left exposed to the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays. This can cause the rubber compound to dry out, leading to sidewall cracking and possible premature tire failure. If you leave your trailer outside, cut two sections from an old plastic tarp a little larger than the diameter of the tires and attach them to the edges of the fenders using ordinary spring clips from an office supply store. Allow the tarp to hang down over the tires to keep them protected from the sun.
Will Powers, Moultonborough, N.H.
A little dab'll do ya
When putting hooks, sinkers, swivels, jigheads and other small tackle items in those smaller stowaway plastic tackleboxes, it never fails that one or more of the dividers will slide upward, causing the contents of one slot to spill over into the next. To prevent this, simply put one drop of super glue on top of each of the divider tracks to keep the dividers from shifting.
Hunter Cole, Montgomery, Ala.
Rodent ridder
If you have a problem with mice getting into your garage and your boat, here's how to get rid of them without poisons, traps or expensive pest control services. About once a month, mix a gallon of red apple cider vinegar with two gallons of water, pour it in a sprinkler can and sprinkle it around the outside of your garage. This has worked great for me for several years.
Milton Ammel, Parker, Kan.
Golf ball/lure retriever
Since divorcing golf for my new love of bass fishing, I've found another use for my golf ball retriever. It makes a great lure retriever! I drilled a small hole in the ball cup and attached a heavy-duty paper clip. When I hang up a lure, I simply slide my line into the paper clip and move the retriever down the line to snag the plug. I've retrieved more bass lures with it than I ever did golf balls.
Shawn Buker, Alexandria, Va.
Don't keep your money saving bassin' tips to yourself. Share it with other Bassmasters by sending it to The Weekend Angler, Bassmaster Magazine, P.O. Box 10000, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830, or by e-mailing it to editorial@bassmaster.com (be sure to include your mailing address). If your tip is printed, you'll receive a Harry 'N' Charlie hat.