jerry robinson

The Latest Tips, Tricks, And Advice from Master Outdoorsman Jerome B. Robinson

fieldandstream-editor — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 01:30:00 -0400

Dog Training Tips from Master Outdoorsman Jerome B. Robinson

fieldandstream-editor — Thu, 27 Jul 2006 11:20:00 -0400

Slide Show: This Week's Tips from Jerome B. Robinson

fieldandstream-editor — Sat, 20 May 2006 07:00:00 -0400

Slide Show: This Week's Tips from Jerome B. Robinson

fieldandstream-editor — Tue, 16 May 2006 07:00:00 -0400

Jerry's Tips: March 2006

fieldandstream-editor — Thu, 16 Mar 2006 04:15:00 -0500

Attract Shy Gobblers
Turkeys don't become decoy shy, but some toms do get "turkey shy" after they've lost a few fights. These subdominant birds are wary of any aggressive-looking rival and will avoid a decoy in the menacing strut or half-strut position. Instead, use a meek standing jake that appears too small to be dangerous. Combine it with a single hen, then use soft, seductive hen calls.

Keep Your Retriever Safe
Don't encourage your retriever to hit the water with the high-speed leaps you see at field trials. The leaps are impressive to watch, but in real hunting conditions, dogs that hit the water hard can get hurt by submerged rocks or logs. Instead, work your dog frequently where harmless but annoying underwater obstacles slow his entry. He will quickly learn to jump with caution.

Avoid Lightning Strikes
During thunderstorms, crouch on a foam mattress or pack of clothes to minimize your body footprint and to insulate your feet from the ground. Don't be the tallest thing around. Avoid high ground, clearings, large trees, and tent poles. In boats, lay fishing rods flat, lower radio antennae, keep feet and hands out of the water, sit low, and don't touch the radio or other metal objects.

Fish Smarter
Long casts are impressive, but you'll work more water and catch more fish if you start short and lengthen each subsequent cast by 10 feet. By varying the distance, you make your lure swing on a different arc with each retrieve. It will pass through more positions where fish may be holding. After you've covered all the water you can reach, change position and begin again.

Protect Trailer Lights
When boat-trailer lights fail, it's usually because corrosion has caused a defective ground. For a more durable connection, drill a hole in the trailer tongue to fit a stainless-steel screw. Size doesn't matter. Polish the area around the hole with sandpaper to expose new metal. Insert the screw through the end of the ground wire terminal and tighten it against the exposed metal.

Jerry's Tips: February, 2006

fieldandstream-editor — Mon, 30 Jan 2006 04:15:00 -0500

Train Your Dog to "Give"
A retriever takes pride in carrying a bird, so don't rush to grab it away. Instead, command him to heel and have him walk at your side. Let him enjoy his accomplishment for a while. Praise the dog, then tell him to sit, and gently take the bird from his mouth. Dogs soon form the habit of holding the bird until you want it if you don't snatch it away.

Catch More Tournament-Size Bass
Competition anglers commonly release their best fish right after a tournament's weigh-in. And for a week or so after one of these events, many of the largest bass in a lake will be concentrated by the release site. Expect to find them schooled near the closest structure (such as a gentle dropoff) to the competition's weigh-in area, feeding on baitfish.

Track Game Through Leaf Litter
Big-game tracks on leaf-covered ground are tough to see from a standing position. If you lose an animal's trail, crouch down to get your eyes close to the ground. Look for a series of disturbances in the fallen leaves in the direction the track was last headed. Sight this path as far as possible, then walk to the point where it disappears and take another low-angle view.

Injure Fewer Bass
It's fun to see bass inhale topwater lures. But because most are built on offset hooks, which catch easily in the gills or gullet, you'll mortally wound many fish when you're using these baits. Try bending the hook in with pliers until the point lines up with the eye. Your lure will now slide out of the fish's throat and snag instead on the hard edge of its lip.

Show More Fish Your Bait
Instead of simply dropping your bait to the bottom, try suspending it by a couple of inches. You'll catch more fish. To do so, attach your sinker 3 feet above your hook. Then clip a small bobber to the line 12 inches from the hook. Fish can see a floating bait more easily, and the semislack leader allows them to take it without feeling resistance from the weight.