Tools you need

[Rebbasser]

A while back we had a must-have lure thread, and reading a several other threads it occurred to me that one thing I have NEVER seen discussed here or anywhere else: Tools you need to have.

IMO there 3 and if you use braid 4 must haves:

The first and probably most important tool you must have-even if you don't have anything else-is a pair of needlenose pliers. There are a lot of uses for it, but unhooking fish is where I use them the most. After that, in no particular order:

Line clippers
Hook sharpener
and if you use braid, scissors.

An optional item is a pair of sidecutter pliers-in case you get a deep hooked fish or need to cut the hook out of something.

I have a few other items-a pair of hemostats, a wacky tool for rigging wacky rigs using an o-ring, and a crankbait tuner. I carry it all in a Nite Ize Pock-Its case on my belt. At one time or another all these items have come in real handy.

[WTL]

If you are in a boat, don't leave without channellocks, vise grips or both phillips and standard screwdrivers. Eventually, you will have a need arise for all of them.

[JB]

I carry scissors and needle nose pliers, plus a good multi tool that has pliers, knives, screwdriver heads, and serrated edged knife for cutting small timber...
Pliers are the best way to get 3 rogue hooks out in a hurry and I usually let the fish flip back in the water when I turn the last treble hook free...
I've been stuck more than once un doing all those sticky sharp trebs a rogue comes with.

[zooker]

pliers is a must have. i use side cutters i can cut the hook if deeply hooked. snippers to cut line with. i have a cool lil tool from rapala that has a line cutter, a razor blade, a line threader, hoot sharpner,and a hook removel tool.

seeing i have a boat i have a craftsman metric socket set, -which i used today- a short handled cresent wrench, a dual bitted screwdriver, and slip joint pliers..

and hoss i always pack a knife and my phone.


zooker

[Lonewolf]

Me too I always pack a knife. I have ever since I can remember. I also take means to make fire and a small led flashlight in my tacklebox and bug!@##$ to keep the bugs at bay.

[Rebbasser]

A knife is standard equipment for me-I don't go anywhere without one.

[WTL]

I also know you need to take liquids out there. Face it, you need to stay hydrated when on the water. Our good friend Tom always comes well prepared.



Be sure to take water too, hangovers, heat and fishing are no good, trust me.

[Raul]

Originally Posted by WTL

I also know you need to take liquids out there. Face it, you need to stay hydrated when on the water. Our good friend Tom always comes well prepared.



Be sure to take water too, hangovers, heat and fishing are no good, trust me.

And a healthy source of nutrition:

[everettvet]

Can we expand this thread a little bit to include "what spare equipment do you bring?"

Extra prop for trolling motor
rope for the trolling motor for when the pull rope breaks
fuses

What else am I leaving off?

[WTL]

Flashlights, can't forget that. And a million candlepower spotlight.

[JB]

a extra cable for the trolling motor to foot peddle comes in handy when needed

[Rosemeyer]

for braided line cutters you have to try the x-tool its amazing and they claim it floats (for the first few times it does but dont try it to much after the 3rd time throwing it out in a row it went straight to the bottom it may have been a little buoyant but it was definently no where near the surface), you have to have liquids I went out for around a 10 hour day on the lake and didnt have enough water and those headaches from dehydration suck not to mention how tired you get

[Patrick Krueger, Jr.]

a sledgehammer, a pitching wedge, and an avacado

[Rebbasser]

Rope for tying to dock or towing
Jumper cables
Extra oil(oil injected engines)
Pad/pen
Toilet paper in ziplock bag-that can be worth it's weight in gold.

[OUTLAW]

Collaspable paddle,Extra spark plugs,Raingear,MRE,Sunscreen, Emergency 30 pack,,Merle Haggard CD

[Rebbasser]

Merle Haggard cd? I knew there was a reason I liked you, outlaw .

[zooker]

Originally Posted by OUTLAW

,Merle Haggard CD

ewww ick... no thanks..

zooker

[WTL]

Browning semi-automatic light 12 gauge, for "snakes and such".

[OUTLAW]

Originally Posted by zooker

ewww ick... no thanks..

zooker

Sorry Zook,
Its hard to listen to the Bee Gee's when Im fishin.

[pbruessow@msn.com]

Needle nose pliers is #1, line clippers #2, hook sharpener #3, swiss army knife #4, good flashlight #5, adjustable wrench #6, channel locks #7, screwdriver (flat and phillips) #8

[islandbass]

This is a non tool item but since everything has pretty much been covered, I say your fishing license. The day you forget it is probably the day the game warden drops by.

[Twinsprtsfan]

I have not been fishing long, and carry the usual stuff, but I also stick a pack of those travel baby wipes in my tackle box. They are packaged pretty flat so they won't take up much space. They come in handy for dirty hands or if you want to wipe your face with something cleaner than your shirt!