Christmas Day: Catching Up on My Recent Fishing Gear Prep (Tying Line Sets & Subline Inventory)

Okay, let’s be real—Christmas isn’t just about eggnog and ugly sweaters for me this year. Nope, I’ve been buried in fishing gear stuff, and since it’s the big day, I figured I’d finally “turn in my homework” (aka share all the chaos and prep I’ve been up to). If you’re a fellow angler, you know the drill: sometimes life gets in the way, and you’ve got to play catch-up on the boring (but crucial) gear stuff. Let’s dive in—no fancy jargon, just my messy, honest experience.

Why Subline Is My Fishing Kryptonite (And Mainline Is Low-Key Lazy)

First off, let’s rant a little (because rants make fishing stories better, right?). Since I started fishing, the one thing I burn through faster than bad bait is subline. Mainline? Pfft, it’s basically indestructible. I’ve hung it up on rocks, snagged it on tree branches, even had it catch on boat propellers (oops), and it still comes back usable. But subline? That tiny, thin stuff? One wrong move, one tiny snag, and it’s toast. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve reeled in to find my subline snapped like a dry spaghetti noodle. It’s the bane of my existence, but also non-negotiable—you can’t catch fish without it.

Christmas Chaos: Empty Streets & Gear Prep Mode

Now, let’s talk Christmas vibes this year. With all the recent policy changes, you’d think the streets would be packed with people celebrating, right? Wrong. Everywhere I looked, it was like a ghost town. Neighbors who usually aren’t home (they’re always out fishing or running errands) were all holed up in their houses. I texted my fishing buddy, Jake, and he was like, “Bro, I tried to stop by your place—your porch light was off, and your car was in the driveway. Thought you moved!” Meanwhile, I was inside, surrounded by fishing line spools and hook boxes, thinking, “Wait, is everyone just hiding from the world… or hiding to prep for fishing?”

Anglers’ Christmas Ritual: Tying Line Sets & Stocking Subline

Let’s get to the good stuff—what I’ve actually been doing. Since I’ve had all this extra time (thanks, quiet Christmas), I finally sat down to tie line sets and stock up on subline. Normally, I’m too busy chasing fish on weekends to mess with this stuff. But this year? I turned my dining room table into a fishing gear factory. Here’s the breakdown:

My Go-To Subline & Hook Combo (For Ditch Fish)

If you fish for small stuff—ditch pickerel, sunfish, tiny bass—you know how finicky subline can be. I swear by 0.8 subline paired with size 4 hook. Why? It’s thin enough to not scare the fish, but strong enough to haul in a 1-pound bass without snapping. I’ve tested 1 different subline sizes, and this combo is my ride-or-die. But lately, I’ve been expanding my collection because… well, you never know when you’ll hit a pond with bigger fish. So here’s what I stocked up on:

• 0.4 subline (for the tiniest sunfish—they’re basically scared of their own shadows)
• 0.6 subline (middle ground for small bass and crappie)
• 0.8 subline (my daily driver—duh)
• 1.2, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 subline (for when I feel bold and target bigger fish)

And hooks? I’m all about versatility. I mostly target panfish (sunfish, crappie, bluegill) and the occasional small bass, so my hook collection is:

• Size 0.5 red hook (for the tiniest panfish—they love the red color)
• Size 1 red hook (step up for slightly bigger panfish)
• Size 4, 5, 6, 7 hook (all-around for panfish and small bass)

Christmas Gear Fail: The Wrong Hooks (Thanks, “Cheap Online Store”)

Okay, let’s rant again—this time about online shopping fails. I ordered size 0.5 red hook from this random online store (you know the one, the one with the super cheap prices that makes you go, “Is this too good to be true?”). The listing said “barbless” (my favorite for catch-and-release—less harm to the fish). But when they showed up? BARBED. Ugh. And the worst part? Small hooks like these? The finished pre-tied ones are way more expensive than tying them yourself. So now I’m stuck with barbed hooks that I didn’t want, and I’ve got to either return them (which is a hassle) or just use them (even though I hate barbed for catch-and-release). Lesson learned: sometimes “cheap” is just a trap. Stick to the reliable stores, even if they’re a few bucks more.

Visual Proof: My Christmas Gear Prep (Spoiler: It’s Messy)

Alright, enough talking—let’s show you what I’ve been up to. First, here’s a pic of my dining room table mid-prep (yes, that’s my coffee mug in the corner—don’t judge):

See that mess? That’s the life of an angler. You start with a “quick” prep, and next thing you know, your table is covered in line and hooks. But hey, it’s worth it. Then, after hours of tying (and a few failed knots—let’s be real, we all mess up knots sometimes), I finally finished two spools of pre-tied line sets. Here they are:

Not perfect, but functional. I’m a “practical over pretty” kind of guy—these will catch fish, and that’s all that matters. If you’re the kind of angler who hates tying line? Just buy pre-tied ones. No shame. I’ve bought them before, and they’re a lifesaver when you’re in a hurry. But for me, tying my own is cheaper, and I know exactly what I’m getting (no surprise barbed hooks).

Christmas Fishing Goals: What’s Next?

Now that I’ve got my subline stocked and line sets tied, what’s next? Well, Christmas Day is quiet, but the day after? I’m hitting the local pond. I’ve got a new pond I’ve been wanting to try—heard there’s some big sunfish there. I’m gonna test out my 0.6 subline and size 1 red hook combo. Fingers crossed I catch something (and don’t snap my new subline on a rock). Also, I need to restock my bait—running low on worms and corn. But that’s a problem for tomorrow. Today? I’m gonna enjoy my Christmas, drink some eggnog, and maybe tie a few more line sets (because I’m obsessed).

Oh, and one last thing—if you’re an angler stuck at home this Christmas, don’t mope. Use the time to prep your gear! Tie line sets, clean your reels, organize your tackle box. It’s boring, but when you hit the water next, you’ll thank yourself. Trust me, I’ve been there—showing up to the lake with a messy tackle box and no pre-tied line sets is a disaster. So get to work! Or, you know, just watch fishing videos and eat cookies. No pressure.

Alright, that’s my Christmas “homework” update. What’ve you been up to this Christmas? Any gear prep fails? Any new combos you’re excited to test? Drop a comment below—I’d love to hear from you. And if you’re heading out fishing soon? Good luck! May your subline stay strong, your hooks stay sharp, and your catch be plenty. Merry Christmas, anglers!