Bass Fishing Tip of the Week 03/09/08: Bass Fishing Toolset

Bass fishing success is dependent on many factors including techniques used such as casting/flippin or pitching. It also depends on the lures used, the locations fished, the weather, the fish's activity, and many other things.

Sometimes we get so engulfed in the latest fads, the hottest lakes and the fastest bass boats that we forget the simple things that are just as important. Here is my list of the bass fisherman's simple toolset.

1- A pair of needle nose pliers. These are an essential part of any bass fisherman's tools. They are needed to remove the hooks from a deeply swallowed lure, or when the hooks are stuck in hard tissue near the jaw. They can quickly remove most hooks with minimal injury to the bass.

The pliers can also be used to remove hooks from you or your partner when an errant cast is made and a lure lodges in your ear. Been there and done that, and without the pliers it would of been way to painful to remove the lure.

2- Hook Sharpener or File- This is a must to maintain hooks. Even if you start with the sharpest hooks in the world, after a fish or two the hooks can dull rapidly. Get a file or hand hook sharpener to keep those hooks sharp.

3- Nail clippers or Line clippers- A nice set of stainless line clippers is essential to quickly and accurately clip the line after knot tying. If you ever tried to bite off your 20 pound test you'll know what I mean. They are much better than a pocket knife or pliers for cutting line in both accuracy of cut and safety.

Essential Tools for the Bass Fisherman

4- A floating fish marker/markers- The floating markers (buoys) are still a necessity for bass fishermen. The high tech GPS units get you on your spot, but the markers give you a visualization of what's there under the water. I like to mark drops/humps and submerged timber with these.

Casting to either side of the marker gives you much greater confidence and keeps your lure in the most productive areas.

Marker Buoy

5- Culling bobbers and scale- Tournament fishermen can't live without these tools. Knowing how much each fish weighs and recording it with pen and paper will assure you that you didn't come in second because you culled a bigger fish.

Culling Bobber and Digital Scale

Fill your bass fishing toolbox with these tools and I'm sure you won't regret it!