BOYS ‘N’ OUR TOYS
Originally Published the Week of July 1, 2022 in Western Outdoor Publications
A couple of guys arrived the other day down here for a week-long vacation to fish with our fleet here in La Paz. It was a first-time trip to Mexico for fishing.
Needless to say, they have been jacked to be down here. When they climbed off our shuttle van from the airport, their enthusiasm was completely in full turbo.
Like kids at Christmas. Couldn’t wait. That big blue ocean in front of them was just calling their names and they’d been waiting for months.
To that end, they wanted to show me all the new tackle they brought down. They couldn’t wait until later at the hotel. The wanted to show it to me right then and there. In my office.
Straight out’ve the shuttle van came the tackle bags and boxes. Click…zip…unsnap…unfold… Velcro…untie…unbox.
OH wow…Hmmmmmm….
Weeks ago, I had given them a small tackle list of “suggested items.” It came with the proviso that most folks don’t bring anything and just use our good gear. However, they are welcome to bring their own stuff.
Well, they took that list and went shopping.
Of course, when you’re in the tackle store, we’re all like little boys. We get attracted by shiny things, colors and gadgets.
Two of these…
…Two more of THAT color…
Yea…I’ll take some of those too…
Wow, never seen those before. Might as well buy some of those too! These have a nifty “wobble” when you cast them!
Jonathan said to bring 2 of THOSE lures. Well, what if I lose one or it’s the wrong color. I better buy 6 of them!
On and on.
And then, they started talking to the clerk at the tackle store. Of course, he’s an “expert.” He’s fished in Mexico several times.
But, never here in La Paz. Our area.
So, he tells them they need some of these
…and some of those
…and more of these.
So, they happily march out’ve the tackle store with all their new toys. Bag and bags. And bags FOR bags.
…and then they go talk to some of their friends. Who are (of course) also “experts.”
What? You didn’t by that new hot lure that’s on youtube?
Dude…I wouldn’t go to Mexico without some blue and white wiggly plugs!
Buddy, I saw this new gadget at the fishing show, you should think about bringing one to Mexico!
So, back to the tackle store! (Happily of course as now there is an “emergency” excuse to buy more things!)
And that brings us back to the present situation where all this wonderful colorful excess is now spread in front of me. The guys are ooh-ing and ahhh-ing like little kids.
Man…I hate to be a buzz kill. I don’t want to bust any balloons or curb their enthusiasm.
However, deep inside, I know that most of these things will NEVER see the water. Most will never get out’ve their wrappers or little boxes.
In an 8 or 10 hour fishing day, maybe only 50-60% of the time is actually fishing. The rest of the time is spent travelling; trolling; looking for fish; getting bait, cracking open a beer, etc.
You really just don’t have time to use all 6 colors of lures or 10 different styles of feathers or hooks or leaders… or anything else.
You have two arms and two hands. You can only use one rod and reel at a time.
And, if something suddenly works, you stay with it.
You don’t suddenly change baits or lures or colors just for the sake of change. Not when something is working like dynamite right then and there.
If it’s not broke, don’t fix it!
And, the captains and crews know what works. They’re professionals.
They live and work on the water. Putting food on the table and clothes in the house is dependent on them knowing their craft.
They will probably not be too keen to try some new fangled gadget or rig that may or may not work.
So, fight the urge to buy the whole tackle store or bring your whole garage of gear with you.
I worked in tackle stores for many years. Good stores with good personnel will give you the straight scoop as much as possible.
But remember, it’s also a business.
Just like a grocery store…the shiny colored things are at eye-level.
The more expensive things are in easy reach.
The big-name manufacturers get more shelf space. The cooler sexier looking gear is in a display case or lit by lighting “just so.”
Especially these days when the cost of extra luggage and gear on an airplane is escalating, be judicious and selective with what you purchase or bring down. Communicate with the outfit you’re fishing with.
Ask them what to bring.
Common sense.
Don’t bring a weeks’ worth of gear for 2 days fishing. Don’t buy tuna feathers if the season is only producing inshore species.
If the baits will only be little sardines, you don’t need giant hooks.
I didn’t have the heart to tell these new guys that they brought way too much stuff. I was like that way back in the day. As well. They’ll learn.
In the meantime, there’s no denying. It IS fun to go shopping for gear.
That’s my story!
Jonathan
That's My Story 