Getting your equipment ready..
It
is that time of year again. Cabin fever has set in strong, and everyone
is getting a little edgy for the fishing season to begin. We can get a
small reprieve by going to the area sport shows. However, they can also
make cabin fever feel more intense, by getting our blood really flowing
only to come back home and to the reality of winter's grip. However, it
does give us the chance to get all of our equipment ready for a full
and productive year of fishing.
The
first thing that I like to do, is sit down and look through my logbook
from the past year. Take account of everything that worked for you.
Make a note of what styles, colors, techniques, and lures that you had
luck with during the year. If you are not using some type of log to
keep your fishing records, do yourself a favor and start one this year.
Believe me you can make many notes in a log book that you would not
remember otherwise. After you have your notes from your log, you can
compare this to what you have left in your inventory. This enables you
to replace the productive lures.
I
also use my logbook to thin out my tackle box. Boat storage is a
precious commodity. I do not want to be lugging around any lure that I
do not use or one that I cannot catch a fish on.
After
I figure out what works and what I need to make replacements, I head to
the hook section of my tackle storage. Number one on my list is to get
rid of anything that is rusty, bent, or beyond sharpening. Remember
that the hook is the most important part of your lure. By this time,
you will be able to figure out what needs replaced. Just because your
hooks are new in the package doesn't mean that they are 100% perfect,
take the time to give them a look and you'll be surprised at the number
of factory defects you find. Do not forget to check the hooks on your
lead heads and flippin jigs also. Be positive that all of your hooks
are sticky sharp by doing the thumbnail test. When you place the hook
against your thumb with a minimum amount of pressure, it should not be
able to slide around your nail. If it does then that hook needs
sharpened or replaced. Make the same checks on your crankbaits. I
replace my hooks when they come right out of the box. You can use the
same size or one size larger. Make sure that you change those silver
plated style trebles. This type of hook is not very good and they will
cost you a fish sooner or later.
If
you are like me, you have a mound of plastics that could cover your
living room floor. There is not anything wrong with having a variety of
lures. However, when you look at each lure ask yourself if you actually
remember catching a fish on that lure. This is another place where your
logbook will come in handy. You can replace the baits that worked. You
can put the ones that have been riding around in your boat in the
closet.
You
can check spinner baits and buzz baits for any obvious problems. Look
over the hooks sharpen if necessary. Make sure that the skirts are not
matting together. If they are, you can replace them before they make a
mess out of everything. You can trim the skirts on spinner baits, buzz
baits, and jigs if you choose to do so. Check over the wires on the
lures. If they have kinks or bends straighten them out so the lure
runs true. I use an oil
based fish attractant on a rag to clean the blades and heads.
This
is a great way of cleaning the old water film off your crankbaits. This
process will make the lures shine just as they did when they were new.
As
I went through my equipment and logbook this year, I noticed that I had
three Carolina weights left. I am glad that I was able to put these on
my shopping list before I got out on the water and found out that I
needed them and did not have them.
