CALLING OUT ALL EXPERIENCED HO.....................

[Vikingj]

Drift. You really won’t have time to anchor if you are setting out several nets 15-20 yds apart, soaking them 15-20min, hauling them up, untangling the bugs, measuring the keepers, and paddling back to the start of your trap line. I barely have time for a few sips of beer or coke and a chance to relieve myself! If the bugs are on the crawl, more than 15min may be too much time. I normally get 20-30 hungry shorts for every keeper and the seals often will steal your bait. I take 2-3 extra full bait cages to replace the empties.fficeffice" />>>
Storage. I empty almost everything out of my hull and throw the keepers down the hatch. When a hatch is unavailable I will bring a gunny sack or a driver’s large “goodie bag”.>>
Lights. A headlamp ($15-30) is a must for hands-free work. Also I mount a 360* lamp (about $20 at West Marine) on a 3-4ft pole and place it in a rod or post holder. If that lamp fails (or you forget to bring it) I will tie a glow stick at the end of a rod/post. I always bring a waterproof flashlight as a backup. It’s a good idea to put reflective tape on you PFD.>>
Be safe. Never go alone. Always wear a life vest and bring a whistle & a compass (fog often arises unexpectedly). Bilge pump is also recommended. Light glove(s) useful (I just wear one). Remember that you are not highly visible to power boaters (esp. after they have had several beers) so think ahead and keep yourself out of harm’s way.>>
Now go have fun and catch a lot of bugs.>>
Wayne>>