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Sportsman’s Workbench June Issue

Tips and innovations from our readers.
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Ideal Weight

I keep a spool of plumber’s solder on board for quick weight replacements. Snip a segment with the desired weight, and insert it into the weight pocket of soft plastics. If your favorite lure does not have a pocket, create one by inserting a hot ice pick. The solder can also substitute for split-shot weights by crimping a segment around the line. You can leave it loose if you want it to slide freely. The spool is easy to locate in the tackle box, and the amount of weight can be quickly adjusted to fishing conditions. William Hammond Summerville, South Carolina
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Noodling on the Dock

I’ve replaced numerous dock lines due to chafing on dock posts over the years, which can add up in cost. To eliminate dock line wear on posts, cut a pool-noodle segment, and feed the line through the center. Then with the line attached to the boat, slide the noodle into place around the post and position a zip-tie on the line as a stop. A smaller piece of noodle cut to fit the line near the boat cleat helps avoid line abrasion, protects your boat finish, and comes in handy preventing line tangles in the prop when an inexperienced hand drops the line. Paul Hain Livonia, Michigan
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Super Scents

To add a long-lasting scent trail to a diamond jig with a tube on the hook (or any lure with a tube teaser), I dip a pipe cleaner in my favorite scent (sand eel scent works great), and slowly thread the pipe cleaner into the tube between the hook and the tube. Cut off the excess pipe cleaner with pliers, and send the lure to the bottom. You’ll be surprised at how your strike-to-hook ratio increases because the striped bass or bluefish won’t be as quick to spit it out. You can pull the pipe cleaner out any time with needle-nose pliers, or re-apply scent by squirting more into the tube. Brad Weil Mount Royal, New Jersey
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