Fresh off his BFL win on Louisiana's Cross Lake, Indiana pro Jacob Wheeler placed 8th on day one with 14-10. Photo by David A. Brown. Angler: Jacob Wheeler.

March 21, 2012 • Jacob Wheeler • Archives

I fish docks and shoreline cover a lot when I’m practicing for a tournament. On the last day of practice I’ll put on fresh line because the old stuff has gotten nicked and abraded. But I don’t wait until the night before the tournament starts to change the line. Instead, I’ll take a break around midday on that last practice day and respool. That way, while I’m in actual fishing situations I can get accustomed to the feel of the new line and adjust it as needed before the tournament starts. If I have any problems with the line, such as having too much or too little on the spool of a spinning reel, I can correct them during that last afternoon of practice. I don’t want to have to mess with line during the first round of the tournament and waste precious fishing time.

—- 2011 All-American Champion Jacob Wheeler, Indianapolis, Ind.