USEFUL HACKS / TRICKS THREAD
I'm not sure if there is a useful hack / trick thread and may not even be popular but I thought this may be a good thread to post where you have done something boating/fishing/camping/car/caravan what ever that you believe to be useful or useful to others.
So here's mine, 6 months ago I needed new strip lighting to be installed in my 4.3 tinny, so I bought a 15mtr strip light off ebay, it's the one with a remote, changes colours all that new stuff. I was concerned about how I would mount the strip light and how long they would last due to corrosion and getting knocked around so I went into the shed and found 20mtrs of 16mm clear vinyl tubing I had lieing around, the same type of tubing you use for live bait pumps into a bucket / aquariums etc but not as big a diameter. Ran string down the tube and connected to the strip light and pulled through, soldered up all the connections, sikaflexed the ends up and all sealed with the wires coming out one end and hooked up to the electrics. I also used the sikaflex to mount the clear tube to the underside of the gunnels so they are out of vision with just a small dab of sikaflex every couple of hundred millimetre, the sikaflex will pretty much bond to anything so it was up and out of the way and bingo it's been bloody awesome.
I left the lights on blue as I like it for night fishing and doesn't really seem to bother me too much when moving the boat around if I want to change spots. You may say that most strip lights are waterproof but for my tinny I tend to tuck a few things away and didn't want to hit the strip lights so this is where the idea came for the clear tube, I did look into the waterproof hard aluminium strip lights that are about 500mm long and they looked pretty good as well for mounting under the gunnels. Cheers and post away if you think you have an idea that may help others 
One persons great hack may not be to another but I reckon there would be some fairly smart guys on here.
scano
Posts: 1246
Date Joined: 31/05/07
Good idea on such a thread
Here are a few I know of and use
1. electrical tape around rod butt to prevent rash from the rocket launcher rod holders
2. cut an old sock down or use elastic bands for "spool bands"
3. Shower caps over reels whilst in the rocket launchers to prevent salt water saturation on rough days
4. pvc rod tubes but with smaller diameter internal pvc eg, 4x25mm pvc tubes inside a 100mm rod tube, to seperate each of the rods amd protect them individually.
5. snap seal bags to keep your phone and wallet dry at sea
6. Electric drill with bolt securing line spool to strip old line off
7. pvc rod holders in a square formation to put rods in for wash down when away on a remote trip after a days fishing
8. slow cooker with dinner on before heading out for a full days fishing! Saves time and effort when you get back after a long day!
9. Small sticker label on inside of reel spool to remember line strength, date of adding to the reel
10. boat service wise, write the engine hours and date on oil filter change (permanent marker)
11. Where ever you keep all your reels (especially the expensive stuff) keep a small "log book" of last time you serviced them or any major parts changes
12. when changing trailer wheel bearings, write the bearing numbers on the draw bar of your trailer in permanent marker so that you don't have to pull the hubs to remember what type of bearings are installed
dodgy
Posts: 4575
Date Joined: 01/02/10
I have a cut a set of glove
I have a cut a set of glove clips in half and crimper it with a bit of mono to one of the hardtop supports. Always have a set of gloves right where you need them.
Does anyone know where the love of god goes, when the waves turn the minutes to hours?
sea-kem
Posts: 14931
Date Joined: 30/11/09
Old Bucket seat head rest
Old Bucket seat head rest seat cover over my transducer whenever heading north. Velcros just nicely over to stop any possible stone chips.
Love the West!
Jackfrost80
Posts: 8134
Date Joined: 07/05/12
Water filled party balloons
Water filled party balloons are great for making spherical, long lasting ice.
A hose set to a flat spray is a great way to scale whiting if you forget to use the scaling bag.
Discarded pizza boxes are an inexpensive source of cheese.
Officially off the Pies bandwagon
sea-kem
Posts: 14931
Date Joined: 30/11/09
o
o
Love the West!
NORUN NOFUN
Posts: 1028
Date Joined: 15/08/11
Bloody hell, there are some
Bloody hell, there are some absolute rippers above.
Rob H
Posts: 5784
Date Joined: 18/01/12
a couple
I have 3 winch handles now and I don't even have a friggin trailer as mine were returned, but I couldnt return the ones Ive found
Give a man a mask, and he'll show you his true face...
The older you get the more you realize that no one has a f++king clue what they're doing.
Everyone's just winging it.
Silver Fox
Posts: 1105
Date Joined: 19/06/14
Separate esky for drinks n food
Nothing worse than a drink that's covered in coagulated fish blood. Another good one is a small squirty bottle in the drinks esky to give your face a quick mist with icy cold water on hot days. Don't carry unnecessary stuff in your boat too.....
My wife understands why I clean my rods n reels in the shower....
Greg_B
Posts: 40
Date Joined: 26/05/15
Shackles
Put a key ring on your trailer shackles to make them easy to undo on cold winter mornings (or if they're a bit rusty and need changing)...
KalSteve
Posts: 33
Date Joined: 06/12/16
Shackles and other rust susceptibles
Boeshield T-9 or bike chain wax lubricant is a very handy rust preventative and dry lube. Excellent for shackles and other bits that suffer from surface rust. Doesn't leave a smelly greasy coat like CRC etc..
Emission appare...
Posts: 30
Date Joined: 21/01/21
great tips
Some amazing tips here !!!
Maybe we could throw in an "Emission Logo Print" hoody and a couple stickers for the best tip/s posted by a member ?
are you guys keen ?
Theres some prety good ones here, Its going to make it tough to decide though!
Our tip is if youre going away on a fishing trip with the boys or any trip....pre cook your dinners put them into serves of one or two in a clipseal bag then freeze them.
take them out in the morning/mid-morning to defrost and when you come back just heat it up in a frying pan.
A quick and easy way to have dinners also youre not bringing perishables with you that can get damaged or go off during the trip.
Have a good weekend guys
dodgy
Posts: 4575
Date Joined: 01/02/10
Invest in a travel buddy.
Invest in a travel buddy. Full days out on the water are much better with beef and gravy rolls and hot wing dings.
Does anyone know where the love of god goes, when the waves turn the minutes to hours?
uncle
Posts: 9461
Date Joined: 10/02/07
Love this, hot pies etc
was only talking about a 12 volt microwave yesterday
all aggressive fish love bigjohnsjigs
Jackfrost80
Posts: 8134
Date Joined: 07/05/12
I went out yesterday and
I went out yesterday and bought a 12v heater and have already vac packed sliced roast beef and gravy
Officially off the Pies bandwagon
scano
Posts: 1246
Date Joined: 31/05/07
Here’s another couple
Vac seal some emergency tools amd leave them on the boat. Eg screwdriver, pliers, fuses etc.
also, buy a spare set of bearings when doing a long trip, (or even a whole hub) pre pack all the bearings with grease etc. then vac seal the greased bearings. Or even vac seal the whole pre greased hub and some spare grease. If you have a problem at the roadside, cut the seal open on the pre greased hub or bearing set and install. Far easier than trying to grease bearings at the roadside.
scano
Posts: 1246
Date Joined: 31/05/07
And another
When you buy new shoes or products of that nature, you get those little moisture absorption packs (the little balls inside them). Instead of throwing those in the bin, put them in with your favourite lire boxes to reduce hooks and swivels rusting.
one I learnt on a marlin charter, after sharpening a hook, use permanent marker on the area you have just sharpened, it prevents rust.
tot
Posts: 1157
Date Joined: 31/01/10
Scano you're
the all round MacGyver hey!!!
Keep em coming !!
Reverse cycle a/c supply and install - Ducted and wall splits
beau
Posts: 4104
Date Joined: 24/01/10
1. Catch fish
1. Catch fish
The End
scubafish
Posts: 959
Date Joined: 15/08/12
ICE
Take 4or5 2ltr empty milk containers out when you go fishing next time and fill with saltwater to freeze for the next trip.
You can bash them with a gympie hammer when frozen then cut open, makes perfect salt ice.
http://img.gg/BQ91Sys
Alpha
Posts: 194
Date Joined: 13/02/17
Plastic strip
i have screwed a bit of plastic flat bar strip around the outside edges of my rear bait board, screwed it in loose so now I can hang my pliers / iki-Jime screwdriver , lip grips , put a knife on either side for myself and fishing buddy, I also clip on each side glove clips with hand cleaning rag so your not always asking were the rags are.
dmck
Posts: 429
Date Joined: 07/03/19
Always have a decky...
that cannot swim,
Then if your bilge pump fails you will have a dedicated, fast bailer.......
Alan James
Posts: 2221
Date Joined: 30/06/09
...
Dishwasher cutlery holders are suited to hold jigs and sinkers.
selthy
Posts: 292
Date Joined: 27/05/11
$20 Hortex insecticide
$20 Hortex insecticide sprayer to spray saltaway or similar onto boat
https://www.bunnings.com.au/hortex-450ml-fertiliser-and-insecticide-sprayer_p3368178
scubafish
Posts: 959
Date Joined: 15/08/12
Said to me
They dont supply anymore.Not in stock.
http://img.gg/BQ91Sys
selthy
Posts: 292
Date Joined: 27/05/11
Noticed that after posting.
Noticed that after posting. Found this similar one through google.
https://www.hoselink.com.au/products/fertiliser-spray-mixer
dmck
Posts: 429
Date Joined: 07/03/19
dont need a garden hose...
https://www.bunnings.com.au/aqua-systems-5l-garden-pressure-sprayer-kit_p2960992
I use this for spraying detergent on my boat....
selthy
Posts: 292
Date Joined: 27/05/11
Nice
Nice
Moking
Posts: 1252
Date Joined: 30/05/12
Always have a "Back-up"
Always have a "Back-Up" Plan. Mine: Know where the nearest and best Fish and Chip Shop is when all else fails! LoL
My Dad taught me how to Fish-Thanks Dad.(RIP)
carnarvonite
Posts: 8659
Date Joined: 24/07/07
Fish and chip shop
If you have a bad day fishing at Augusta, DO NOT park your car in the 2 bays right in front of the Colour Patch fish and chip shop
Reason being that if anyone sits at the tables on the verandah to eat their feed and throws one chip out attracting hundreds of seagulls who will shit, sorry sit on the cars parked there resulting in a huge clean up for the owners
carnarvonite
Posts: 8659
Date Joined: 24/07/07
Freezer bags
Found that freezer bags are better than clip lock bags at keeping your phone and valuables dry when boating, always keep a few on board.
Same goes for the big green rubbish bin bags, cut arm and head holes out and voila, instant raincoat for when you are caught in a shower miles away from your vehicle when beach fishing.
When chasing black bream always look for overhanging peppermint trees, give them a big shake and there is your burley, ants love peppermint trees and bream love floating ants
Willlo
Posts: 1490
Date Joined: 07/10/11
Another to that john, find
Another to that john, find road kill hang from tree visit a cpl days later. Bream like maggots as well. I won the molloy bream comp years ago doing it this way lol.
Call Sign - BZ785
Haynes Hunter Prowler CC
NORUN NOFUN
Posts: 1028
Date Joined: 15/08/11
This is soo good, I never
This is soo good, I never would have given a thought to permanent marker on hooks. Vaccum sealing a set of bearings is very practical, I have a set in a plastic bag all greased up but vac pak is way better.
Keep your fish frames for growing herbs, I used a couple of dhuie frames in a sanstone pot, added frames and then growing medium and the dhuie frame pots are totally out growing the other standard pots.
When keeping wings on snapper and dhuie's I fillet the belly as well, the texture of the belly meat is so different to that of the flesh on the frame, they are beautiful with moroccan spices.
Jackalchub
Posts: 599
Date Joined: 10/03/12
Vac pack deep drop rigs too
Vac pack deep drop rigs too, keep this thread going gents. Some beauties
little johnny
Posts: 5353
Date Joined: 04/12/11
Don’t worry about
What others do , do what you think works . Confidence out ways everything.
Faulkner Family
Posts: 17995
Date Joined: 11/03/08
I use pool noodles and
I use pool noodles and galvanized clouts (nails) to store pre made rigs and hooks . I cut them to about 30 cm to fit in my tackle box which doubles as a foot rest while driving the tub
RUSS and SANDY. A family that fishes together stays together
dmck
Posts: 429
Date Joined: 07/03/19
I cut them to 3cm (length)
.. with a knife slit at 12 & 6 oclock to wind my rigs on, No nails...
Emission appare...
Posts: 30
Date Joined: 21/01/21
Hoody
Keep thread going
But we will have to call the winner for the Hoody as we will have plenty more competions coming up !!
We choose Scano as he put in alot of detail and definetly is the mordern day MacGyver!!
will pm you for size and addy Scano
dmck
Posts: 429
Date Joined: 07/03/19
What..? there was a prize...?
If I'd known I'd have told you the really good stuff... !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Congrats Scano, we all put SO MUCH in to fishing and the best outcomes come from sharing knowledge and experience. You didnt WIN this... you EARNED it!
scano
Posts: 1246
Date Joined: 31/05/07
Pm replied to
Thanks very much for the prize. I'm pumped. I'll also put the thinking cap back on about other useful hacks I do fishing related and post
jighead
Posts: 723
Date Joined: 03/02/12
Beach fishing
Cut the neck off a party balloon and put it on your casting finger. Prevents braid cuts like a beauty.
NORUN NOFUN
Posts: 1028
Date Joined: 15/08/11
Haha, well done Scano, you
Haha, well done Scano, you actually did have a ton of idea's and well done to emission apparel for jumping on the thread.
scotto
Posts: 2470
Date Joined: 21/04/08
Me
Run a grinder through the edge of an old wheel bearing race. It makes a perfect punch to hammer in the new races into the hub.
a pool noodle sliced laterally/lengthways half way through, it slips neatly over the rim of a 20L bucket, and makes a mint boat toilet.
A cheap shoe holder from eBay (one that is supposed to hang on the back of your door) makes a shit hot camp organiser for condiments, utensils, etc.
Rob H
Posts: 5784
Date Joined: 18/01/12
.
Further to this, when removing the old outer race, a bead of weld around the inside face will shrink it to remove easily.
Also then useful for tapping the old ones back in as you mentioned
Give a man a mask, and he'll show you his true face...
The older you get the more you realize that no one has a f++king clue what they're doing.
Everyone's just winging it.
VaSSagO
Posts: 126
Date Joined: 09/12/09
I have just use a cone
I have just use a cone knocker, be careful to hit it straight and seems to do the trick. Good for removing old and inserting new.
Mine is similar to this..
https://trailerspareparts.net.au/product/coneknocker-60mm-round-purperse-hub-bearing-cone-knocker/
sea-kem
Posts: 14931
Date Joined: 30/11/09
State wide bearings sell a
State wide bearings sell a similar product. I had a machinist make me one up for each side.
Love the West!
Jackfrost80
Posts: 8134
Date Joined: 07/05/12
I bought a kit of aluminium
I bought a kit of aluminium fittings of various sizes that comes in a case. Money well spent
Officially off the Pies bandwagon
pelagicyachts
Posts: 1320
Date Joined: 23/02/11
this is not so much a hack
this is not so much a hack but evidence of my widespread laziness :-)
i have a cordless drill with a modified a hole saw bit (section cut out of each side) inside some rubber glued to prevent reel damage and it then fits on the handle of penn senator and inter's. I did it originally when we used to do a lot of trolling to bring the remaining lines after a hookup but now use for fishing in the 80-100's :-)
not my idea - i saw it on a video of a marlin comp in Mexico years ago
stricko
Posts: 224
Date Joined: 10/05/10
If you're free dive
If you're free dive spearfishing off shore at anchor have a look at the prop if it's spinning get one person to check it before you all roll over the side.
Silver Fox
Posts: 1105
Date Joined: 19/06/14
Wire leader
Don't ask me why. After yesterday's efforts with the pelagics up here I'm switching to wire leader...... Time to go watch some Haymaker twist clips on YouTube.
My wife understands why I clean my rods n reels in the shower....
sea-kem
Posts: 14931
Date Joined: 30/11/09
Just use some decent crimps
Just use some decent crimps mate.
Love the West!