Checking Rattle Reels in Rental Fish Houses

Here is a quick bit of advice that I would give anyone who is planning on renting a sleeper shack. With as many people who have used the house before you I personally would have a hard time just putting bait on the hook and dropping it down the hole without asking the following questions… What lb test did they use on their leaders? Is the knot good? Is the hook sharp?

I highly reccomend bringing a small spool of extra leader line (#10 flouro) in case the line is bad or the leader is too short. Check to make sure the hooks are sharp and sized correctly and have a few extra along just in case they aren’t. And most importantly using a pliers to hold the hook give a very good tug on the line to make sure the knot is good and there are no nicks in the line.

The last thing I’d hate to hear from someone is that they lost a big fish because someone before them didn’t know how to properly tie a knot

All good suggestions. I would add, bring your own rattle reels if you have them. I have been in two different rental houses on Red and only half of the holes had rattle reels above them. The ones they did have looked like they were dragged across the lake.

Also, make sure the line is not resting against the side of the hole over night. From expierence I can say catching fish with your line froze to side of the hole can make fishing pretty tough!