6 Little-Known Fishing Tricks You Can Start Using Today

Just like in all sports, the key to becoming a better fisherman is practice. More time on the water equals more bites - and more opportunities to hone your skills. However, we live in a busy world, and there’s nothing wrong with getting a little help.Here are 6 little tips, tricks, and techniques that will help flatten your angling learning curve and have you yelling “Fish On!” more often this season.

1. Coloring Time

Stick a pack of multi-colored Sharpie’s in your tackle box. They can be used to add to or change the color of almost any lure. Adding a little orange to the throat of your favorite crankbait to imitate a perch or creating a set of eyes and a lateral line on a soft plastic jerkbait can turn a tough bite into a whack-fest.

2. Carry Bobber Stops

Thread-on, rubberized bobber stops are so useful that they should be standard issue in every angler’s arsenal. Thread one on your line before your bullet weight to pegged your sinker. Thread one on the line after your bullet sinker and you’ve got a great Carolina rig. Oh, and they can also be used to stop bobbers…

3. Tune Crankbaits to Hunt

There’s nothing more frustrating than making the first cast with a brand new crankbait and having it not run true. That problem is a simple fix with a pair of needle nose pliers. Just grab the line tie and bend it in the direction you want the bait to run. If it’s running too far left, bend it slightly to the right. Make a couple casts then adjust.

4. Switch Blades

Having the right blade combination on a spinnerbait can be the difference between no bites and loading the boat. Pick up a set of different blades from one of the online tackle parts distributors. Extra blades pack light, are inexpensive, and can be quickly changed to dramatically change your presentation. If you want less thump, go from a Colorado blade to a willow. Want it to run deeper, downsize from a number 5 to a number 4. The opportunities are endless.

5. Water level marker

Water levels are one of the most important factors on almost all waterbodies, and knowing how the water level is relative to past trips will help you more quickly relocate fish. A key is to pick a marker, whether it be a particular bridge piling, dock post, or stump, and always remember to look at it every time you arrive to fish. If there’s nothing available, a stick stuck in the mud on shore will quickly tell you how the water level compares to your last trip.

6. Mix it Up

You can’t learn new techniques without trying them, so make sure to try at least one new lure, presentation, or tactic every time you’re on the water. Mystery Tackle Box is the monthly subscription service that introduces you to new baits every month! It's an inexpensive way to get exposure to all the hottest new fishing products on the market.