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Go fish: 11 things you should have in you tackle box this summer

Jeff Blevins,
Grand Central Magazine

Before heading out for a day on the water, it's important to have all of the necessary tools to ensure the most success. Photograph by Jeff Blevins
(Click here for more images.)

As summer gets closer, the ice and snow turn to open water and sunshine, and outdoorsmen and women start to gear up for the fishing season. Here are 11 things you should have in your boat and tackle box.

1. Extra line: A prepared fisherman should always have extra line in the tackle box. Although looked at as insignificant, it is always important to have it in your tackle box. From experience, having extra line really comes in handy when your line gets tangled in your reel.

2. Needle nose pliers: That fish you just put in the boat swallowed the hook. What are you going to do now? You don’t want to put your fingers in its mouth and risk an injury. So take out your handy needle nose pliers, place the pliers down its throat and pull out the hook. Easy, simple, no mess and no injury.

3. Spare outboard ripcord: This piece of safety equipment is essential and something you shouldn’t leave the dock without. If you are stranded out on the lake and your electric motor starter dies, the ripcord can get you out of trouble.

4. GPS unit: Another piece of essential equipment that can really help you when you are fishing is a Global Positioning System. Whether you’re getting home from your fishing spot, or marking the spot where you were filling your boat with fish – a simple GPS unit can be your best friend.

5. Fishing net: It seems like a no-brainer, but I’ve lost count of how many times I left the dock without my net, then landed a big fish and had a hard time getting it in the boat. Just to be safe, always double-check that you packed your net.

6. Binoculars: Something little like binoculars can make a difference if you get turned around out on the lake. Binoculars can come in handy if you put a marker in the water to mark a hot spot; you can use the binoculars to find the marker and get back to fishing.

7. Spinner bait: If you are fishing for bass, this lure throws off a lot of flash to attract the fish to your bait. There are a variety of them with different blade and skirt configurations to fit the fish you are trying to catch.

Modern lures come in many shapes and sizes. A few of the better ones are able to imitate the motions of smaller fish that the larger fish feed on. Photograph by Jeff Blevins
(Click here for more images.)

8. Floating pencil plug: Whether you’re trolling for muskellunge or casting for pike or bass, the floating pencil plug is the way to go. When used correctly, it imitates the natural movement of minnows. And when retrieved slowly and stopped, it can imitate a dying minnow and make the bait that much more attractive to the fish.

9. Perch rig: Contrary to the name, this rig works really well when you are fishing on the bottom of the water for a variety of fish. This rig usually comes in a variety of colors, from red to yellow and green. If you have never used this type of rig before, it has a spot for your sinker and has two hooks to increase your chances to catch a limit.

10. Spoon: This type of lure can be used in a variety of situations, such as trolling down a river for salmon, casting with a Cracklefrog lure for pike or muskellunge, or trolling with a silver spoon for pike. These lures can make your fishing experience very enjoyable. No matter how you use them, when you get a fish, it’s a fight you will never forget.

11. Cooler: If your boat is not equipped with a live well, you will need to find a place to put your catch so that your fish don’t go bad over the course of the rest of the day.

As you get your boat ready to go for this spring and summer, don’t forget these 11 items. Whether you’re looking to catch a trophy bass or just hanging out with your buddies; there’s no better time than the summer for a great fishing experience.