Non Fishing Products I Use For Fishing All The Time!

[@dougragsdale1967]

I keep Q tips in the boat for adding dippin die helps you to get the right amount on

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for sharing!

[@mikeschulz5070]

I use the tubing for slip bobbers. For steelhead fishing. Making a fixed rig set up

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks for sharing!

[@davidcrump2348]

Lens cleaners can clean about anything, clean a wound up, gets rid of oily residue, etc

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for sharing!

[@alexmarshall7417]

Pill bottles work great for holding terminal tackle and pre-rigged Carolina rigs. Fit well in a bag or a pocket for those fishing from a bank. Finish nails for adding weight to soft plastics.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for sharing

[@HeyMyster]

Put my nail weights in a small pill bottle in the day box. Easy access if you fish a senko/dinger a lot.

[@bankfishingislife5484]

i carry a rack or two of brad nails and use them for weights in soft plastics.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Sounds good

[@Triple87]

Clear heat shrink for senkos. Put it on the senko, shrink it, and run the hook through it. Makes senkos last longer, and it doesn’t affect the look or the weight a whole lot.

[@BenHolliday1]

I have some of that as well.

[@Mbeez77]

1/2” diameter tubing? Great tip!

[@craigpeters3165]

​@@Mbeez77I use 3/8"

[@grandwonder5858]

I learned that trick watching the guy on YT called “Fishing the Japanese Way.”

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for sharing!

[@FishinDr]

I make a ton of my own whopper ploppers, spoons, jerks only using sharpies from unpainted bodies. I also paint a ton of spinnerbait blades especially fishing in the early spring.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Awesome!

[@HeyMyster]

Automotive paint pens work well for covering the shiny lead that gets knocked off or exposed and it won't shine thru like a sharpie will. Takes a bit longer to dry but don't need much to apply. Ford has a dark green that looks similar to gr pmkn that I use. Thanks for the tips. Always good content.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for sharing

[@Twangtown7]

As far as coloring your faded braid- get one of those big Sharpies that have the flat tip. Take a razor blade and cut straight down on the tip maybe a 1/4" or so. That provides a nice channel for your braid and makes it super easy and fast to color it.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Good tip!

[@HeyMyster]

Been using the big Blick markers in dark green for braid, for years.

[@DFKfishing]

Harbor freight super glue

[@MattStefanFishing]

Good one

[@Larry77777]

O-rings, heatshrink tubing, paracord, sunscreen, insect repellent, ziploc bags, ziploc ties, travel mug, terrycloth towels, granola bars

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for sharing!!

[@DanielBoone337]

If youre a person who likes to run a trailer hook on spinnerbaits and buzzbaits I use ear ring backs to hold the hook on. You just slip it over the hook point and push it past the barbe and it will hold the trailer hook on and keep the hook free swinging. Thats something i learned from watching Jason Christie's channel way back and been using them ever since.

[@bassdojo]

I didn't know that, thank you. I"m going to start using that!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Good tip

[@markmifsud4044]

Just asking what about smell from Pens and Polish ?

[@MattStefanFishing]

Doesn’t bother me

[@frankfarris6485]

good stuff thank you. sewing tread good for a lot of repairs

[@MattStefanFishing]

You bet

[@grandwonder5858]

I buy all of my beads, glitters, and nail polish that I color my old chipped-up lures with from the dollar stores, especially the Dollar Tree stores.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Awesome!

[@mattramsey5080]

I use a torch and color shift my tungsten if possible. Don’t do it with any type of insert, like drop shot weight clips. They end up a flat dark purple color that in my opinion looks more natural than silver or any coating color. Heat the tungsten until it’s red hot, then plunge it into a bowl of icy water, mostly ice. It’s an awesome wintertime chore because you got the heat from the torch to keep you warm.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Yep done videos on that

[@midwestfischerman]

Craft boxes from stores like Michaels, Jo-Ann's, or Hobby Lobby can be great modular tackle storage boxes, often at a much cheaper price. Many of these boxes are the same dimensions as the 3600 and 3700 Plano boxes. Frankly, I like the shapes and sizes that are different than the standard dimensions. Above all else, these craft boxes, I said before, are almost always MUCH CHEAPER than "fishing" storage boxes.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Agreed

[@davidcrump2348]

Glass beads for worm fishing. I use them on Texas rig and Carolina rigs also to add a clicking noise and also to protect the knot.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Good ones

[@boonet6896]

1. A 6-8” needle nose pliers for hook removal 2. Toss some silicone drying agent packets from food package to tackle box to keep hard plastic lures dry 3. Lighter to burn off excess braided tag end on FG knot (make the knot stronger) 4. Lead tapes for golf club as suspended tape for jerk / crankbait 5. Dry towel , set of dry clothes in zip lock bag

[@MattStefanFishing]

Got to have pliers!

[@ukstorm2727]

Love these hack videos , I just bought one of the strip magnets that normally go in your garage from Harbor Freight and affixed it to the side of my console , holds my scissors , pliars, lures and hooks I cut off and hadn't had a chance to put back , and its surprisingly strong , even after a hard run I haven't had anything come off yet

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks

[@seancline8130]

places like home depot sell bulk packs of shop towels at low prices. towels are a must have on my boat.

[@k9er233]

Brawny paper towels folded and stuffed into a gallon ziploc work great as well.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for sharing!

[@johnrayner5599]

Love the item that you have shown us, the thought that goes into them are note worthy, I always keep those cheap plastic ear ring backs to help keep baits on the hook, to hold stinger hooks on buzzbaits and spinnerbaits, just handy to have on hand, you can get a hundred for like two bucks, if that much.

[@MattStefanFishing]

That's a great idea!

[@mistertwister1816]

Neodymium super magnets- Great for holding lures Make a rack For your gunwale Or use them in your tackle boxes. Kaizen foam - Cut to size and fit inside your 3700 Plano box. Great for holding jigs, especially hair jigs that you don’t want to curl up. Small zip ties for spinner bait skirt replacements. Tiny silicone hairbandS -Double them over and store on your O-ring holder for senkos. Adjustable bungee cords pool noodles for leaders. Mend it to repair plastics. 12 pound Test stainless steel leader wire - Wrap it around a nail, to make the equivalent of a pen spring. Twist it into your plastics and cut off excess with wire cutters. Best wacky, Neko hook holder ever

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for sharing

[@mikeeller557]

Thanks Matt

[@MattStefanFishing]

You bet!

[@rodcashman4793]

Matt Great ideas 💡 thanks for sharing 👍

[@MattStefanFishing]

My pleasure!

[@Budget_bassin]

Small pill bottles with pieces of cloth inside to hold weights and prevent them from rubbing the paint off.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Good call

[@stoneysdead689]

I keep a long-handled pair of wire cutters that I know I can cut a hook with- even if I have to operate them with my left hand. That way- if a hook goes all the way through- I can cut off the barb and back it out. I also keep alcohol and iodine tincture to sterilize wounds, as well as gauze and bandages and tape and all that stuff. Basically, I just keep a small first aid kit on my kayak. I also keep a hand operated pump; it's very efficient and pumps water out on the up and down stroke- you can remove several gallons in less than a minute. During the day I fly a flag, at night I have lights- ppl will run over you in a kayak. During the cold season I keep a change of dry clothes- in a dry bag of course- and the necessary tools to make fire. If you fall in- you may need to get warmed up before you can get back to the truck. I also keep hand and feet warmers you can activate and stuff into your socks and gloves. I keep a flare gun in case I need to let ppl know where I am, compass, knife, phone, etc- I'm going off down river, far from my truck- and miles from anyone's homes or anything. If something goes wrong, if I can't paddle back up stream- I'm in trouble. Two seasons back now- I had a heart attack on the water- in my kayak. Luckily it wasn't a bad one and I was on the lake around ppl- not way off down river by myself in the woods. But I worry now- I spend a lot of time in the middle of nowhere, alone.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Good call

[@garymitchell625]

Toilet paper, variety of zip ties, Advil, ziplock bags, baby wipes, small binoculars to see what the guy is using to catch his fish. And pepto Bismol for when i lose the Big one.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Good stuff

[@Mila808g]

nail polish will also fill in any knicks you get in an rod guide! (EDIT from the girlfriend - this was my idea and it was not regular nail polish that I used to fix the nick in the rod tip. It was clear GEL polish (preferably the kind cured by UV light, if you don't have the UV .. "gel-like" top coat will also work with no curing required but I definitely suggest the first option 👍🏽) I do not think typical nail polish is durable enough to suffice here!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Yep!

[@deonsmit]

Nail clippers to cut fishing line...

[@MattStefanFishing]

Good idea!

[@johnnyweaver1300]

Those are some good ones, thanks for the video!👍

[@MattStefanFishing]

Glad you like them!

[@mattmiller7447]

I use a spark plug for getting lures un snagged put a large snap in the gap and smash it down. Cheap easy plug knocker

[@MattStefanFishing]

Nice!

[@dougsaroma]

Back in the olden days my cousin used to put a little baby oil in with his plastic worms to keep them soft and not get dried out. Does anybody do that these days? Oh yeah, not long ago I bought some of those reusable plastic snack bags to put some plastic baits in my little bank fishing tackle belt bag. They were almost free in the Wallyworld clearance section and have Buzz Lightyear on them. As soon as I saw them I knew they were the perfect size and material for hauling around some plastics while using up minimal space. Much more streamlined than having to carry another plastic bait box.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for sharing

[@depalebe]

I carry a small butane torch. I use it to repair and modify sort plastic baits. It has more butane in it than a lighter. I also use it for wiring repairs on the boat. Along with the torch I carry butt joint connectors that heat shrink, seal and solider when heated. I also carry these in my truck for trailer wiring repairs.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Love my mini

[@zevoutdoors7194]

I have several food containers that have rubber seals and latches on all 4 sides from Target that hold plastic bait bags perfectly, stack and keep contents dry.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks

[@marcanzlovar72]

A paint pen can help color something you want, like a treble hook

[@MattStefanFishing]

Yep!

[@travishanson5512]

Fingernail clippers are always attached to a belt loop while I fish. Plus Advil and alcohol wipes are pretty important to keep in the tackle bag as well!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Good call

[@stevesmith7164]

Good tips Matt 👍. I have a tool that looks like a latch hook needle that I can add skirting materials to add hair to some baits

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks 👍

[@larrystolzman9337]

Matt: Thank you! For those of us on blood thinners, for whatever reason, having super glue and the right tape could save our lives. I think I’ll add an antibiotic crème as well. Better safe than sorry. God Bless!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks a for sharing

[@craigstevens9734]

Thanks for the tips. Have a suggestion for vidéo baits like a mouse or those baby ducks beavers lures like that. Appreciate.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Great suggestion!

[@BenHolliday1]

Used to keep toothpicks for pegging but I don’t really do that anymore.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Gotcha

[@nunyabusiness102]

I use fly tying lead, it comes in thread spool sizes and is a great size for wrapping hooks and really flexible. Secondly, I like to have zip ties in the boat.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Zip ties are critical!

[@huntryx1]

What is a "Neenah"?

[@LukeDehtiar]

A city in Wisconsin.

[@MattStefanFishing]

City in WI

[@wolverinex4243]

Items? Sewing needles for baits. Diabetes needles to pump worms. Not carried at all times. Knives, lighters, toilet paper, bandaids, cheap super glue, and nail hardener is great for many things. I use tapes to hold my tag end on my spinning reel bc it is a hassel to do the slide-in clip on reel. I also use tape to mend wounds bc gauze are hard to get.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for sharing

[@stevespayde1919]

O-rings for your wacky rig at the hardware store lot cheaper

[@MattStefanFishing]

Yep

[@donpanico7708]

Hey Matt I buy a 100pk of 4” cable ties which I use instead of an o-ring when I fish a neko rig. I attach it y to the bait and cut off the excess. $1.99 at Walmart. Where did you get the lead wrap??

[@k9er233]

Fly shop or online fly tying suppliers, called lead wire.

[@MattStefanFishing]

I have lots of ties in my boat to good call! Hardware store

[@heinrichkellogg7563]

🍺Non fishing items one could use to fish with if they so choose🤔. Interesting topic. You nailed most of them.🤠 Speaking of nails, small finish nails from the hardware store to insert into the end of your soft plastics instead of using the more expensive “ nail weights” and of course ice for your live well. I buy lots so I can also have cold beer AFTER I’m done fishing🤥.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Right on

[@michaelsheppard4227]

Surgical tubing for trailer hooks on spinner baits. I get paint pens and use on baits, they are so much better than sharpies. Make sure to get the good paint pens or you'll hate them. The Unipaint marker medium line px-20 is the best I've found so far. It's opaque, oil based paint marker. The red isn't the best on metals and make sure you give it a minute or so to dry.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Yep

[@justinchaffin8887]

If you have kids or dumb friends who reel the bite up to the first guide, add a plastic bead before the knot to protect that guide.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Yep

[@LostInTackle]

Considered athletic tape "KT tape”

[@MattStefanFishing]

Yep i carry a roll in my suitcase

[@williamgould2470]

Dielectric grease will save the day when things like your lights, trolling motors, fish locators seem to be having a problem. Obviously if you have a brand new boat you probably don't need this but as your boat ages or if you don't use things like your night lights , This can help with all electrical connections. I have used it on my boat and on my friend's boats many times.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for sharing!

[@stevenbartell8065]

Great video. What hover rig pairs well with the Rapala Freeholder? Thanks for all you do. Good luck in 2024.

[@MattStefanFishing]

The 3/0 size and 4/0

[@danielcarpenter4361]

Got it 😊

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thabks

[@matthewweimer42]

I colored weights with sharpies...but I was a bit worried about the smell of them.

[@k9er233]

Once in the water, smell disappears quick. I used to worry about it, but no more.

[@MattStefanFishing]

I use sharpies all the time

[@stevesteve4350]

A strong pair of side cutters has saved my ass a few times. Great tool fo a foul hooked fisherman. If you can push it passed the barb cut and it's over except for blood.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Good call

[@kentbrown5369]

I keep heat shrink tubing with me all the time. I cut 1/4 inch sections and slide it over my soft plastic and heat it up to shrink it around my bait. Then I can run my wacky hook or Neko hook thru it and get my bait to last much longer.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Good tip

[@douglasspickler4925]

Very good information. Good to know. Thanks. Have you heard who won the TW Bass Mafia Skeeter boat? I thought the drawing was at the end of the year, but I have never seen anything about it. TW couldn't tell me anything either.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Not yet!

[@marcanzlovar72]

Oh and Ben-Gay’ can’t rub Ben-gay on a heart ache

[@MattStefanFishing]

Nope

[@gregchilders7643]

The women always give me weird looks when i am getting nail polish for lures 😏

[@k9er233]

Same here. Dollar store - cheapest polish around. 😁

[@MattStefanFishing]

Haha

[@billbousfield1571]

Sunscreen!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Yep!

[@Fishboy68]

I always have baby wipes on board for multiple uses,also good cutters to cut a hook in a emergency.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Good call

[@haywardsautomotive6156]

First Aid kit, hydrogen peroxide, toilet paper, extra set of clothes & towels especially in the winter & yes I have fallen out of the boat twice once when I fell asleep leaning on the front seat crawling a jig in 39 degree water. Other tournament anglers seen me fall in & at weigh-in they showed photos of me and said that was how I was winning...clowns!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for sharing!!

[@stevelegg955]

At the hobby stores you can get bags of plastic, glass or metal beads a lot cheaper than the tackle stores. Especially if you do a lot of Carolina rigs.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Yep

[@williamknight5142]

👍👍👍👍👍

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for watching

[@af4od02]

An excellent list of items. I saw recently where the pro angler Sonar Burghoff carries a diving mask in his boat. You might need to go diving for some lost item. ( truck keys). Hopefully not winter.

[@MattStefanFishing]

I like that idea… i carry a ski mask for driving in the rain