STAYING ORGANIZED ON THE WATER
When fishermen think about the most common traits of a fishing guide or professional angler, the things that likely come to mind first are their ability to learn new fishing tactics or their ability to find new fishing spots. One thing that might not come to mind immediately is the fact that most fishing guides are incredibly organized. One angler who is extremely organized is Ross Robertson. Robertson is a full-time fishing guide, a freelance writer, and helps companies in the fishing industry develop new products. It is safe to say this guy is burning the candle at both ends. “Most pro anglers have to be organized because they are always on the go. For a person to be successful when they are on the go, they have to be organized,” Robertson said. “Most of the professional anglers I know are extremely organized. Being a pro angler and being organized go hand in hand.”
FISHING ROD RACKS
Keeping rods organized is one of the ways Robertson helps his clients catch more fish. Keeping his rods organized also helps his rods last longer. “I have Dubro fishing rod racks in my trailer that I haul around so my rods are not lying on the floor of the trailer or bunched together in the corner where they could easily be broken or tangled. A fishing rod rack is cheap insurance for my rods.”
COLOR CODING YOUR FISHING RODS
Robertson also keeps his rods organized by buying different colored electrical tape and wrapping tape around the handles of his rods. “I like having different colored tape on the handles of my rods. A fast-action rod is going to get a different color than a slow action rod. By keeping my rods color coded, I can look across the room when I am loading up my trailer or the boat and see all the different rods. I know exactly which rods I want to grab without making a mess of all my other rods. Lots of guys get rods tangled and waste a lot of time looking for a certain rod. By keeping every rod colored coded, I save a lot of time and energy.”
KEEP YOUR RODS PROTECTED IN A SLEEVE
Fishing rods often get broken in a fishing boat. Not all boats have fishing rod racks and not all boats can accommodate them. One thing Robertson always does with his fishing rods the moment they get transported to the boat is put them in a fishing rod sleeve. “I put all my rods in bright colored sleeves so the rods are easy to see when they are sitting on the floor of a boat. A fishing rod often blends in with the carpet in a boat. It doesn’t blend in if it is in a pink sleeve.”
Many fishing rods are broken when a fishing hook is put in an eye on a rod and reeled tight so there is no slack in the line. Although this keeps the hook or a lure from coming loose, it also puts tension on the rod which can cause trouble. “When it is s stored this way and then it is stepped on or bumped against a wall or boat, the rod can easily break. When keeping a rod in a sleeve, I don’t have to worry a hook or lure coming loose so the rod and line don’t need to be so tight. This small tweak has really helped me reduce the number of rods that get broken in my boat.”
PROTECT ALL YOUR GEAR
Robertson uses Lakewood fishing boxes for all his lures and gear. “I am always amazed at how many people use old fashioned tackle boxes that allow the lures to get tangled and destroyed. Fishing gear is expensive and having the right gear helps me protect all of the things I need to be successful on the water or the ice.
