The First Bait of Spring

[Johnny wilkins]

I have placed my first Spring bait order so it is OFFICIAL. Fishing is right around the corner. To prepare, I will take out my smaller tying bag with lines and small hooks and start tying some leaders.

 

Storing a small wallet of fine leaders in the fishing bag saves hours on the bank. Since I can't get what I want - I make my own snells and store them in a hook wallet (picture rubber pads for the hooks and some plastic bumps to put the snell loops on in a thin, plastic three-fold). This is a must-have for the bluegill angler who fishes live bait.

 

Next, I will need to get the tall tube of water cleaned out with fresh water. In my case, this is an old plastic decorative bubbler light that stands 5 feet tall with a wide plastic base.

As I prepare this week, I will have to shoot some pictures.

 

In this, I will take all the old rigs out from the fall (trout fishing season probably) and clean those off. I will also check my cold water gill rigs as the first fishing needs to be done small, light and stealthy! Metabolisms are way down and I want to catch fish - even cold ones.

 

Since I loaned my boots out to the Pastor to go down to Katrina - and the boots vanished, I will need to get some warm, dry replacements. Warm and dry feet heat a person's sole when on the bank.

 

A lot of preparation to do this week -but preparing at home, on the workbench with bright lights speeds up the process. Balancing some floats in water at home assures fast fishing when I arrive at the spot and saves me from dropping split shot into the grass. If it is 40 degrees and calm, I will be lucky. I would not want to prep out in that weather- just fish.

[Johnny wilkins]

Nothing is stupid Keith - no question at all. Your question is a great question.

 

The reason that people don't snell their line any longer is because the US lines are so thick, it is more difficult to snell anything 4 lb. and up.

 

I am typically snelling 1.5 & 2 lb. leader lines. The snell does a couple of things. One thing I like is the direct connection (( in-line )) with my mono to the rod tip. If you tie a hook, it can pivot when you go to set the hook. Snells wrap the shank of the hook and this means that the hook point is nearly always aimed back at me - the angler. This makes for a more sure set when I strike.

 

For me the snell also functions to be the lightest line in my setup. If I snag, if I hook a big fish that will spool me, the snell leader can break (( at the snell )). This is very controlled so I get all of my setup back - shot, float and main line. This allows the angler to be fishing within :30 seconds after breaking off. More time with your hook in the water, more fish.

[Keith Ritter]

This may sound stupid but what snelled hooks used for? I've seen them for sale but don't know the application.

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

The water column is for testing lures, jigs, floats and stuff? How do you tie your snells

And what is the bait you're ordering....?