Have you ever wanted to net a fighting fish but accidentally missed because the hooks from the lure got tangled up in the net because it was hanging so low? To solve this, take a woman’s hair band or a small, thick rubber band and wrap it around the handle. Pull the net through so it is flat.When the fish is in the net, the weight of the fish causes the bag to pull free of the hair band and the net opens up with the fish at the bottom.

Jethro Frydrychowski, Loudenville, OH

When large schools of baitfish begin to show up while salmon fishing, pay attention to the size of the bait. Packaged anchovies and herring are usually mature fish. They can be twice the size of the baitfish on which the salmon are feeding. Cut your packaged bait down to match the size of the bait in the water. It will result in more strikes. For trolling, cut the head off at an angle (called a cut plug), leaving the body and tail about the size of the natural bait. For mooching, cut out a section between the head and the tail to bring it to the correct size.You will pick up more fish using the right-size bait.

William L. McCabe, Napa, CA

When your fishing rod is not in use, spray a paper towel with olive oil and rub down your entire rod, including the cork handle. This retards cracking and allows the rod to perform smoothly.

LemanWilson, Vacaville, CA