Four Tips To Get You Ready For Spring Fishing
Spring is here at last. Time to shake off the cabin fever and get ready to fish. So where to start? I start by checking my gear. Here are a few tips to make sure your gear is in good order for that first outing.
1. Check Your Rods
Start with your rods and make sure the guides are in good shape. Use a Q-tip to run the inside of each guide. This will check for small cracks that may get missed by a visual inspection. Also check the reel seat and rod blank to make sure they are in good working order.
2. Check Your Reels
Check your reel over to make sure nothing is broken. Make sure it works the way it is supposed to. Now is a great time to clean, oil, and grease your reel. This will help it last for many years to come and ensures a flawless season.
3. Check Your Line
Next up is your line. This is important as your line is what ties you to the fish. Line should be changed at the beginning of the season, even if you only used your rod once or twice last year. Line breaks down over time and after a year of being on a reel the line will get some memory and won’t perform well. Fresh line will make your first trip of the year a good one.
4. Practice
One more thing I like to do before I hit the bank of my favorite stream, lake, or pond, is practice a little at home. I tie some knots to make sure they are good and strong. Next, I tie on a weight and go outside and make some practice casts. The practice casting is for all skill levels and is a good way to make sure your gear is in working order and you are ready for that first bite.
Take some time to prepare your gear for the upcoming fishing season, and you’ll be able to enjoy your time on the water.
Darrell
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Thanks for the info! I agree about changing the line, that something I’ve started doing way more often.
It does make a difference. Thanks for reading!