PrePArATIon
First things first, you need to check equipment before you start out for your first trip of the season. Look at all your rod guides and check each one for cracks or sharp edges. I recommend pushing a Q-Tip through each guide and if it snags, replace the guide. I found one when I was cleaning my equipment. If you wait and don’t replace it, your line could snap with the dream of a lifetime bass getting away, along with your favorite lure!
Check your reels next and make sure your drags are smooth and then oil each reel. If you don’t know how to properly clean your reels and oil them, call your local tackle store to find out who they recommend as the cost is minimal. If you wait too long, your reel can lock up when the big one hits and the next thing you will hear is “snap” – then the crying begins!
Line is also very important to check, so look at all the line on your reels. I know line is expensive to replace but here is a recommendation you can do to save on braided line. If the braid is full on the spool, flip- flop the braid as the bottom near the spool has not seen the light of the day and it should still be in good condition if it is not too old. If you are down to a half spool of braid, toss it out. When it comes to Mono or Fluorocarbon, replace it with new line. You don’t want to experience your line breaking as Mono and Fluorocarbon can break down just sitting on your reel over time.
While you are home watching your favorite television program, sharpen all your hooks and throw out all the bad ones. Next, grab your tackle boxes and start looking over all your lures. On your crank baits, file all the burs off the lips, this will get them back to running straight when retrieving on the water. Check all the split rings to make sure they are still round and not sprung out. Last but not least, make an inventory list and look over all your fishing tackle. See what you have and what you are short on. You don’t want to get on a hot bite using a particular lure only to find out that you are short on your supply of these and forgot to replace them in your tackle box.
The key for spring bass fishing is adapting and adjusting because this time of the year bass migrate to the shallow water and weather plays a big roll on what works at catching bass and what doesn’t. Water
Issue 1 April 2011
temperature is changing day to day and this makes the bass move up and/or out so you have got to be a versatile angler. Change with the fish and don’t work too hard, work smart! Be prepared with all your gear and you will have success at the sport you love, bass fishing.
This is Randy Pringle - The Fishing Instructor and “let’s get on those fish”.
www.millerpunchinweight.com A patent pending weedless design.
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