How To Save Money On A Fishing Trip

Fishing tackle can definitely be expensive!

There are so many lures out there that it's hard, I admit, to resist adding one more to your tackle box every time you go into the tackle store. So, in the spirit of saving a little money, here are a few tips.

Hooks and Lures

While we know that most fish will be attracted to a lure or spinner, and that most lures today have a swivel, a split ring and a hook, the problem is most hooks are made from hardened metal, which often snag on branches and logs and then you loose your lure. So I prefer to change the hooks on my lures to a softer one that can straighten out if it gets snagged.

Some people worry that a softer hook, which will straighten out on a snag, will also straighten when they catch a fish, but this isn't the case. When snagged on a log or branch, it is the point of the hook that is caught. This means when you pull on it the stress is square on the point and the hook therefore will straighten if it's a soft hook, or break the line if it's a typical hard hook. However, when a hook is caught in the mouth of a fish, the stress point is not the hook's tip, it is the bend of the hook that is stressed, and pulling will definitely not free the hook from the fish.

I therefore change the hook on my lures, usually to a Gamakatsu Si-wash hook. A Si-wash hook has an extra long shank and an open eye, which allows you to attach the hook onto a split ring or swivel quickly with hardly any effort. All you need is a pair of pliers to close the eye once its on the swivel or the split ring. When you buy your next lure, pick up a pack of Si-wash hooks (and make sure you match the size of the hook on the lure to your Si-wash hooks).

Your Leader and Your Lines

There are many things to be considered when putting line onto a reel and for my money, Shimano has covered them all. They have baitcasting reels, spinning reels, offshore reels, you name it, and a reels for everyone's budget. I've used Shimano for many years now.

If you're buying one shot, larger spool when you re-spool, here's a cost saving tip. Instead, go to your tackle store and have them re-spool. Why? Because your average one shot spool has about 220 yards of line, but you only need between 120 and 175 yards as a rule. The rest goes to waste! Let the store do it and you'll pay only for the amount of line they put on your reel. You can save about 50% doing this.

Save all your spools and take the large ones down to the tackle store and have them spool the diameter of lines that you most often use for mainline. 15 to 20 pound test is what I use. Then, when you need new line, you can re-spool your reel with your bulk line.