Use your pool to become a better angler…

November 17, 2011 - Posted by Steve Dall So you have that nice pool in the backyard, huh? How understanding is your wife? Well, mine is pretty understanding thankfully and when we are not using the pool for leisure, it gets used for the business end of my fishing ventures. That’s right, if you have a pool and you fish, you have an amazing resource at your disposal and may not know it. I have used my pool countless times “testing and tinkering” of fishing tackle. Want to see how if that new crankbait is running true? Want to see the different fall rates on your soft plastics by switching out your weights? How would that new trailer look on the back of that swim jig? You name it and it can probably be tested in the pool in your backyard. I recently purchased some new Phenix Rods and have been fishing their rods for years now. I wanted to gauge the sensitivity of their new Recon series rods before I got them wet for the first time, so I set a bit of an obstacle course on the bottom of the pool, making sure I ran over, between, next to and off of anything I could so that it could translate the sensitivity of the rods….I was amazed at how sensitive these 36 ton graphite rods were. I even closed my eyes after I pitched my baits in the water so I could not see the bait striking the objects in the clear pool. One other test you can do, is to have someone else do the pitching/casting, while you are underwater with a pair of goggles. This will change your whole perspective on how fish hear, feel and view your baits….give it a try, but be sure the person doing the rod work is accurate and doesn’t run your favorite lure into you! As always, tight lines and great fishing to you! P.S. 34 bass last Sunday on Okeechobee, be back at it again tomorrow and Saturday.