Gear Up For 2012 Fishing!

By Glenn Walker

As many anglers sit in the warmth of their homes, they are getting restless and thinking of their first open water fishing trip of 2012. Being that we still have a few months before we can regularly get out on “soft water,” this is a perfect time to get your fishing gear set for the 2012 fishing season.

The first thing I do is look over my rods and reels to make sure they are up for another season on the water. For rods I like to make sure that all my guides are secured to the rod and that none of the epoxy has cracked.

The key area on a rod that many anglers forget to check is the insert in the rod guides. This is where one small nick can cause your line to become frayed and weakened, which will at some point cost you a fish. An easy way to check for nicks in your guide is to swirl a Q-tip and notice if any of the cotton catches on anything.

Depending on how you store your rods in the off-season and in your boat, a rod sleeve could be a very valuable investment. Rod sleeves such as The Rod Glove keep your rods protected and organized, keeping you ready to go when open water arrives.

When working on your reels, first take off your old fishing line and discard it properly. If you are using braided line and the back half of it is still in good condition, I would suggest reversing it and putting it on another reel. Your drag, tension and magnetic brake adjustments should be loosened when you store your reel over the winter. This will lengthen the life of your reel. But before your first trip out, make sure that all your adjustments are made and your reel is ready to go.

Over the winter, most anglers have already gone through their tackle, sorted it and sorted it again. Two quick things to make sure you have done include putting new treble hooks on your baits, in cases where the originals have bent or rusted. Other important things to look at on your baits include the split rings and the body of the hard bait. Using a quality split ring on your baits will ensure that a fish won’t pull your split ring apart.

Any time you are on the water, the number one thing that should be on your mind is safety. Checking your PFDs and rain gear in the off-season for any holes, rips or tears will allow you time to pick up new gear and prepare for any situation that you may face while on the water. This could also be a good time to look into a new PFD if your old one isn’t up to par or doesn’t fit properly anymore. With an Onyx M-24 Inflatable PFD, it is important to make sure the device is still armed and no damage has occurred. During the winter I make sure to hang my Onyx Pro Tech rain jacket and bibs up to make sure no moisture or mildew is trapped in the suit.

Regardless of how much preparation and thinking goes into your next fishing trip, there will be problems that you encounter on the water. Having the correct tools in your boat or tackle box is the saving grace to keep your day on the water salvageable. Besides your traditional pliers, scissors and first aid supplies, determine what tools are unique to your situation and have them as well.

To store these tools, along with your cell phone and fishing license, a Plano Guide Series waterproof case will make sure that these key tools stay in good condition and no damage occurs to your valuable possessions while on the water. The 1449 model is great work your wallet, phone and keys, while the 1470 model accommodates your larger items, such as cameras, GPS units and tools.

With a few short months prior to your first fishing trip, you have plenty of time to get your gear ready for 2012!