You know the house, you’ve been in it. The kind where there’s quite a few creature comforts, and the food/beverage game is on point, but the fishing part of the scenario is underwhelming. Often, that has little to do with the house itself, and more a function of what’s in it to help assist with the general process. Far be it from me to tell anyone what to include, especially if the focus is some simple family fun and “camping on ice” more-so than fishing on it. Yet, there are a number of items that make for a “fishier” time in general. Here’s a look at my top-ten list:
1. The Right Rod Holders – The best rod holders are flexible, interchangeable, and handle a variety of rod types, lengths, and configurations. I’m a fan of the Catch-Cover rod-holders for a few reasons. I love the disks I can locate throughout the house, such that a single hole can have multiple disks and options for where that rod can be held. I also like the ability of these holders to “give” in the sense that their rotating handle bows back to the fish so they feel little to no resistance. Lastly, you’ve got to be able to simply pull the rods out with little effort or problems. Full cork handles help in these scenarios, so it’s a function of rod design as well.
2. Bump Board – Fish will be caught, at least that’s the theory. Increasingly, we’re fishing waters that have special regulations and a good ruler is a key player here. Stickers on the wall are “OK” but don’t give you as precise of a legal definition of the fish’s length. Pinch the tail, bump the fish’s nose up against the right angle at front, and take note of their size. Without it, or up against the wall, you’re looking at various renditions of an educated guess.
3. On-Wall Storage – I’ve got two different systems for tackle management where it’s quickly and easily accessible. One is a wall-mounted magnetic tackle storage system which is surprisingly helpful for a host of lures that I’m constantly changing through. The other is simply screw-in hooks where they’re needed. Those screw in hooks frequently hold rattle reel plain hooks, packages of bobbers, and sinker packs. Anything I’m dropping frequently, I like to have handy at all times without digging through drawers or going into tackle boxes. It makes me more efficient and saves time when re-rigging.
4. Good Rattle Reels – I’m a fan of the Rattlesnake Rattle Reels here, for the same reason I like their rod holders; they’re interchangeable. Quickly and easily I can swap out a deadstick for a rattle reel and vice versa, then take that whole setup and apply it to the other end of the wheelhouse. While I feel there are better true rattle reels on the market, this one wins because it works congruently with the rod holders to form the perfect whole-house solution.
5. Dedicated Bait Cooler – When I say “dedicated” I mean either one that’s built-in to the fish house as they so often are these days, or, a separate cooler like this Engel that’s plugged into the wall and stored in a consistent location. The more obsessed you are with keeping it in the same place, the easier it is to know where to get minnows each and every time you need one. Usually, that’s where the live-bait is being fished, but there are times where it’s easier to store it on the other side of the house where you can stroll up, grab what you need, and get back to fishing. You find the spot, just make sure you don’t have to hunt for your minnows.
6. Wall-mounted Tool Holders – Again, fish, and even big fish will happen. For those you wish, or are required to release, it’s best to get the hook out, snap a quick picture, and send them on their way. I like this toolset because it can hold pliers, hemostat, hook cutters, and a scissors. That’s pretty much the full set for almost all species I target in my Yetti.
7. Rod Storage – Buy a boat lately? If you have, you’ll know that rod storage is a key mitigating factor to model selection, and even brand consideration. I’m a huge fan of my LUND ProV’s 15-rod center rod-storage, and feel similarly about this rod rack in the fish-house. I’m constantly switching setups to work lures properly, target specific species, and overall just get the most from the experience, so having rods where I need them is paramount to going through progressions of lures. For me, the obvious place is the ceiling, because the rods aren’t in the way, and you can’t brush up against them no matter how hard you try.
8. Proper Hole Configurations – While you can’t change the hole layout of your wheelhouse now, you can learn to fish the ones you have better. Two holes nearby each other in close proximity to good seating is a spot for an active jigging presentation next to a deadstick. A hole off on its own and away from good seating is a logical rattle reel location, or spot for a lone deadstick. Groupings of holes next together can be good spots to fish with company, but too close, and you’re likely to confuse your guests with all kinds of marks on each other’s sonar. Trial and error gives you these examples to learn over time, but it’s never a bad idea to have folding chairs or other stowable seats, and try to fish your holes in different ways than you have previously. Personally, I change the way we setup based on species, who and how many people are with, kids trip vs. serious fishing trip, etc. The last thing you want to do is make your configuration work against you, like when you’ve got rattle reels down all around the food, and nothing but hungry kids darting in and out of there.
9. Outside Storage – Who knew the key to inside fishing has so much to do with outside? Augers, hole covers, slush buckets, scoops, and the like can all go outside the shelter. Store them in the bed of your truck if you have to, just do whatever it takes to keep them out of the shelter and making the fishing situation inside that much harder. Anything that doesn’t damage from freezing or isn’t needed on-hand inside should be considered to be stored outside.
10. No – Hole – It’s pretty common for me to leave at least one hole in the shelter un-drilled. I’ve always got the option to cut it later, but it can be really nice to mandate a hole in the center of the action for a no-fishing zone. The reasons can be several, like when there’s too many in a cluster to begin with, or you want to store your caught fish there, or even open up freezer room but keep frozen goods more accessible. It can be a place to dump slush without losing too much heat, or a spot to keep a hole cover on when kids need to make a midnight trip to the bathroom without falling in. You pick the spot, but consider taking a hole or two out of commission rather than always drilling them all open.