CLIP IT OFF
When chasing my favorite inshore and nearshore species, I often have to anchor up in many different depths throughout the day. In order to simplify the process, I tied loops in my anchor rope at 15-foot intervals and attached a carabiner to the bow cleat with a short length of line. Now I can simply clip off to the desired depth when I reach my favorite spot. To keep it all neat, I use an extension-cord reel — which fits nicely in my anchor locker — to wind up my anchor rope.
– Evan Rowe, Hickory, North Carolina
KEEP ’EM ALIVE
I fish with live eels often and have -devised an effective way to keep them alive for an extended time. Drill small holes in the bottom of a plastic -five-gallon bucket. Put the eels inside, and then loosely stretch a piece of burlap across the top, securing it with a bungee cord. Stack this bucket inside a second bucket, and pile cubed ice on top of the burlap. The cold water percolates throughout, keeping the eels moist and motionless until needed.
** _- Sal Reale, __New York City_**
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WASH IT DOWN
My boat did not come with a raw-water washdown, so I made one of my own. I picked up a brass garden-hose -Y-adapter at the hardware store, unscrewed the livewell nozzle, and screwed the Y-adapter onto the livewell inlet. I then reattached the livewell nozzle on one side and a hose quick-connect on the other. The Y-adapter has valves that can be used to direct the water flow, so I can set it to keep bait alive and ready, or give the boat a quick wash while on the water. The quick-connect makes it easy to hook up a hose that I keep up front, in the hold.
– Bryan Beatty, __Baton Rouge, Louisiana
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