Yeah it's been a long winter. Yeah there's still ice on the lakes. But are you ready?
I've repaired and reconditioned all my rods. Even the ones I don't use much.
Cleaned, oiled, and greased all my reels. Even the ones I only let rookies use.
Purchased, stored, and organized all my tackle.
Washed my fishing clothes.
The boat's not ready. I"m not taking the winter cover off until I'm sure winter is done. It won't take long though. I pretty much put it away ready to go. Just need to repack stuff in it.
But other than that..... I'm ready!
Are you?
I'm set on rods and reels
Just need to spool up. I have the line
Tackle I'm stocked up
Most of the boxes are all set. Just need to make new labels
I should wash the rain gear. But it's all set if I don't
The boat needs a little TLC
It's going to be a good year
Have a couple news styles that I'd like to work on getting better at
Just need to buy a new Lic.
I haven't even gotten started.... :-[.............Hopefully some warm weather will put me in the mood....I do a pretty good job of puting my stuff away though so it is pretty much just a matter of loading the boat up and puting new line on some rods...
I haven't done a single thing until today, been way to busy ice fishing. I just bought a house a couple months ago and right now my "tackle room" looks like a bomb went off it in it.
I guess it's getting about that time isn't it. I have stuff scattered from seminars and a couple mixed fishing trips last fall. Another week or so and I better start finding where I put things.
Rods and reels have been ready since probably February. I took down all of my old Curados completely, cleaned them, replaced the ARB's in a couple and drag washers in all of them. I've been whittling away the time indoors by painting crankbaits, trying my hand at making them, and building my first spinning rod. Hard baits are all organized and repaired where necessary, but I've got to find a better storage solution for soft baits. I've gone back and forth between binders and boxes so many times, and can't seem to find a solution that works for me.
Now that it's warmed up enough, I've been spending a bunch of time out in the garage working on projects for the boat. I'm installing a recessed pedal this year, a remote drain plug, have re-wired the Lowrance network, have installed a Point 1 and have already changed out compartment lighting with LED and have installed deck lighting as well. I've also replaced all of the old bulbs in my boat, including guages, nav/anchor light bulbs with LED bulbs. My low-prority project for all of the above is done is to finish installing a ventilation fan system through my front deck compartments, like the ones on the new Rangers. I've already got the parts and fans and the wiring, i've just got to finish up the project.
Really, looking forward to some open water though. This season's cabin fever has been the worst and you can see from my project list that I spent way too much time in online retail therapy... :-\'
Ordered some blade baits today. Everything is where I put it when I got back from the hot ponds in November.
Just watched a guy auger a hole in the ice in front of the house. He was almost on his knees when it went through. Might even go out and measure how thick it is when he leaves.
Tackle is all done and easily sorted thanks to my tackleminder labels from Bassminder. Reels still have to be done. Anyone wanting a great way to mark stuff, please contact me. These things last for years and do not fade.
(http://i62.tinypic.com/rr7g9e.jpg).
Only thing left to do is spool the rods and re seal the lower unit.
Organized my tackle, all reels are cleaned and today I helped my buddy mount his new fish finder. My boat is ready to go as its stored inside my garage and is all clean just need to put all my batteries and tackle back in it
SlipKey,
For Plastic my best storage plan to date is 1 gal zip lock bags
If i'm after senko's there all there, worms, drop shot, tuibes, etc
They stack well and are easy to find and grab the right bag. I use a marker to label them as well
I filled my boat with all my tackle, and rods today...I'm hoping the warm weather tomorrow will help speed up the winter thaw!
Everything is ready to go except the lakes. I have my gear organized the best that I have ever have. Must be it was a long winter. I now have my annual "I'm going to really catch them this year" mind set that comes with spring. I am ready to be humbled.
Not at all here as I am still a guiding at snow camp every weekend and it looks like it will be May again until I am done..
Well I have been a buying some baits to re-stock and a couple of reels but that is about it...
So no down time for again this year as I will go right from sledding to a fishing.....Got to stay busy doing the things I love...
Wife ask me the other day what my favorite passion was and she was right it is still Bass fishing or anything that pulls my string....But sledding in the back country is right up there...
But I am back on a fishing site so that is a strart
Yup! That's a start!
It is nice to live in Pure Michigan - with so much variety!
All the tackle and rods and reels are ready. Just have to mount the new jack plate and 2 new power poles and will be good to go.
need licences, spool up the reels, i upgraded most of them this year. along with some new stuff. new seats in the Basscat, new starting battery, replaced the trolling motor bracket, vaccumed, ol rig is looking pretty good.
Need to pick up my fishing license still. Picking up the boat on Saturday then I have to load everything into it which is going to be an adventure, I'm sure. Finally no more lugging around a ginormous tackle bag. Think it'll cost more gas to tow the boat though...
I keep all my tackle in the house and load it in the boat based on the lake I'm fishing. Keeps the load down and less clutter throughout the fishing day.
I dug it out of a 6 foot snow drift. Does that count?
I fish both on my boat and other boats in my club.
I got tired of
I carry a majority of my tackle in my boat even though on an average day I don't use it.
What I started doing a couple of years ago was making a "day" bag.
It is a smaller tackle bag with what I plan on using that particular day, terminal tackle, and other essentials.
When I travel on another's boat, I've got it all right there, grab it and go. On my boat I just bring it up on deck and leave it there.
I do rotate baits in and out of it depending on the season.
This system has worked well for me.
I still have to purchase my MI and Ontario License, as well as the stickers for the Metro Parks.
First things first! Off to Table Rock Lake for a week starting in about.... 10 hours!! I'll worry about getting my boat ready when I get back! But first it's off to the land of 8 lb largemouth and mean ole spotted bass!!
Good for you. Have a blast!
As for me, I'll have to stay here and watch the snow melt.