Author Topic: John F's DIY: Small Tips & Tricks (Read 118517 times)

Ziggy · « **Reply #20 on:** July 31, 2012, 02:29:56 PM »

Quote from: John F on July 31, 2012, 02:06:27 PM

Keep your zippers lubed
Plastic and metallic zippers are commonly used these days in lures bags, rod tubes, and other tackle holders. Usually these are used and seldom lubricated or washed properly after a day's fishing, only to be found a few weeks later surrounded by a whitish salt ring and seized! To prevent this I use a few drops of a multi purpose lube oil (Q20) along the zipper from time to time. Run it a few times to spread the oil and the magic is done! No more seized zippers and it will last a long time!

The problem that I find with oil is that it also attracts sand on the beach - then you also have a problem with sticking zips - I wish I had a solution! I have thought of trying to replace zips with velcro where feasible

Talking about velcro - I have strips of velcro everywhere in my vehicle, my tackle bag etc - I find it very useful for binding rods together, trying on the roof rack, etc. The more you have of wide and narrow and of different lengths, the better - and they last for years and years

John F · « **Reply #21 on:** July 31, 2012, 02:33:56 PM »

You have a valid point there Ziggy... fortunately for us offshore guys the sand is way down there! I guess for the R&S guys, whenever velcro strips are not feasible, it will be a matter of oiling up and wiping the excess so no sand gets stuck...

Sorry about your rod tube, Hermann

Thanks, Pierre! Hope these will help someone out there!

PH · « **Reply #22 on:** July 31, 2012, 02:40:30 PM »

Quote from: Ziggy on July 31, 2012, 02:29:56 PM

Talking about velcro - I have strips of velcro everywhere in my vehicle, my tackle bag etc - I find it very useful for binding rods together, trying on the roof rack, etc. The more you have of wide and narrow and of different lengths, the better - and they last for years and years

Ziggy, we found that sand can also have a negative effect on the effectivity of Velcro. However, the inventor of Velcro (and cable ties) should receive the Nobel Prize for Peace, Chemistry, Literature, etc, etc.

WalkersKiller · « **Reply #23 on:** July 31, 2012, 03:15:52 PM »

Excellent Marcos!!!

Homie · « **Reply #24 on:** January 03, 2013, 01:07:47 PM »

Marcos...

Please Sir, can we have some more ?

Lofty · « **Reply #25 on:** January 03, 2013, 02:11:24 PM »

Hi guys,compliments to JohnF for very good tips and ideas.I have a tip that might help some of u(u guys might use the idea already,don't know)When spooling my

with new line there's usually older line that needs to be taken of the reel,to take the line of quickly and neatly I use my drill(or cordless screwdriver),I take a socket and applicator to fit in drill,if u need to add a little insulation tape to the sockets' outside for it to fit tightly into a old line spools' round center hole then do so...flick the reels' ratchet over if you're alone(my reel is usually still on my rod) or else give reel to a friend to hold,then just push the drills' switch and watch the line peel off...

John F · « **Reply #26 on:** January 03, 2013, 04:49:36 PM »

Thanks Homie for bringing this up...

@Nicky: thanks this tip has already been discussed here and I use it a lot. One thing I do when I run out of old line spools to put the line on the reel, is 0.5 L empty plastic bottles (water, soft drinks, etc). I drill a 6 mm hole in the bottom and cap of the bottle and then insert (with pressure) a 8 mm threaded galvanized rod with large washers and nuts. These keep the bottle snug while transferring the old line from the reel. Works really well!

John F · « **Reply #27 on:** January 03, 2013, 05:09:22 PM »

Closest to the bone, sweeter is the meat

I'm sure we have all heard this and to a certain point I agree! When filleting fish (couta, dorado, etc), I have seen people throw away the remains (head and bones). [I don't eat any animal's heads, but I know a lot of people that will kill for a rubberlips head for example! It is boiled with a pintch of salt and at least here it is said to be the best remedy for the good old babalaze. Anyway, I keep the heads for a selected few]. But this tip is about the bones with all the meat around (no one can completely remove all the meat when filleting a fish!). That's the best part! One can use it to prepare a nice fish soup (watch one for the bones!) or, as my missus loves it, as a stater - a quick stir fry on olive oil with lemon. Better yet chuck it on the braai. Give it a try!

John F · « **Reply #28 on:** January 03, 2013, 05:37:31 PM »

Canned tuna & sardine oil

With the fishing being tough these days, I use all the tricks to get that extra advantage to score. This is one of those "secrets". It's an automatic gesture. You pop the clip of the tuna or sardine can and throw away the oil. DON'T! Put it in a jar and keep it in your bait freezer. Next time you go fishing, dip you bait in this for that extra scent and flavour! I actually inject the oil into my dead bait's belly... and it gets slowly released as the bait swims... give it a try! It has already been paid for!

Eddie Moz · « **Reply #29 on:** January 04, 2013, 08:28:15 AM »

Hi Marcos
A prosperous 2013 to you and all members. I find your tips superb and will certainly meet with you within the next few weeks.
Best wishes to all
Eddie

John F · « **Reply #30 on:** January 04, 2013, 08:29:50 AM »

Thanks Eddie!

John F · « **Reply #31 on:** January 06, 2013, 12:54:01 AM »

Outriggers’ halyard anti-slip clip

Sometimes when trolling with outriggers and using relatively large/heavy lures or going across the wind, the release-clip and halyard slip down along the outrigger changing the entry angle of the line, the lure position and the spread. To keep it snug and in position, I use a “longline” clip. A small piece of 8 mm cord attaches the clip to the base of the gunnel of the boat and when the release clip is in the right position along the outrigger I attach the longline clip to both strings of the halyard. Problem solved!

isivuba · « **Reply #32 on:** January 06, 2013, 07:47:20 AM »

Quote from: John F on January 06, 2013, 12:54:01 AM

Outriggers’ halyard anti-slip clip

Sometimes when trolling with outriggers and using relatively large/heavy lures or going across the wind, the release-clip and halyard slip down along the outrigger changing the entry angle of the line, the lure position and the spread. To keep it snug and in position, I use a “longline” clip. A small piece of 8 mm cord attaches the clip to the base of the gunnel of the boat and when the release clip is in the right position along the outrigger I attach the longline clip to both strings of the halyard. Problem solved!

Marcos had the same problem with the out riggers and your idea is just the answer... only thing can you show by means of pic what a "longline clip" is or what the clip looks like. And your tips are awesome..... used about three of them already so keep them coming.

John F · « **Reply #33 on:** January 06, 2013, 09:00:46 AM »

Hey Mike,

Thanks! Here's a pic. If still unclear how it works, I'll snap a few pics at the club today.

shagnrelease · « **Reply #34 on:** January 06, 2013, 10:44:49 AM »

As always Marcos some awesome tips, with regards to the halyard slip, this is a great device and I am so glad I added this to my fishing machine! If you can, try get hold of these they are fantastic.
http://www.gotomop.com/Products.htm

shagnrelease · « **Reply #35 on:** January 06, 2013, 10:52:28 AM »

Quote from: John F on January 03, 2013, 05:09:22 PM

Closest to the bone, sweeter is the meat

I'm sure we have all heard this and to a certain point I agree! When filleting fish (couta, dorado, etc), I have seen people throw away the remains (head and bones). [I don't eat any animal's heads, but I know a lot of people that will kill for a rubberlips head for example! It is boiled with a pintch of salt and at least here it is said to be the best remedy for the good old babalaze. Anyway, I keep the heads for a selected few]. But this tip is about the bones with all the meat around (no one can completely remove all the meat when filleting a fish!). That's the best part! One can use it to prepare a nice fish soup (watch one for the bones!) or, as my missus loves it, as a stater - a quick stir fry on olive oil with lemon. Give it a try!

On this note, with all your gamefish as well remove the fillets as normal and remove the head if you wish, we leave it on but some folks get a little put of by it. So now your left with a skeleton with tail attached, sprinkle over your favourite spice or just bast with lemon butter, and while you are waiting for the braai to get to the right temp, chuck this onto the grid and cook very quickly over the high heat, use the tail as a handle to turn it then whip it of and serve as finger snack so the guys can pick the meat of the bones while waiting for the main event.

John F · « **Reply #36 on:** January 06, 2013, 11:23:48 AM »

Thanks shag!!! The "skeleton" on the braai with a few cold ones sounds awesome!

Parasite · « **Reply #37 on:** January 07, 2013, 10:59:43 AM »

Although I store my tackle in plastic tupperwares I find that fishing from a kayak the salt water still gets in and its not too long before the hooks and trace wire start to rust. Also with limited space, traces that are jammed together in the containers start to tangle. To prevent all this I seal each trace/plastic lure individually in plastic using one of those old Magic Line heat sealers and plastic bags. When I want to change the lure or trace, I place the lure/trace that has been used in the salt water into another container and when I get home, I wash them off in fresh water, dry them and re-seal them.

Charles · « **Reply #38 on:** January 07, 2013, 11:31:29 AM »

Great one Parasite! NOW I know why the home exec bought that sealer! I should thank her for her generosity!

John F · « **Reply #39 on:** January 08, 2013, 07:03:06 AM »

Those stinking booties...

Diving or fishing booties, Rocky sandals, or any fishing footware can be a source of major problems with the missus due to its distinctive odor after a day's fishing. Here's a tip from Capt. Ken Roy. Put a couple of charcoal briquettes inside. No stinky boots the next day.