MID-SUMMER FISHING MAINTENANCE
By Bob Jensen
As we go through the fishing season sometimes our fishing gear gets a little beat up, especially if we're using it as much as we should. Here are some things to keep a watch for as we get farther into the summer months.
First, and maybe most important, is to keep a close eye out for nicks in your fishing line. If you haven't changed line since the season started, you should probably pull off forty or fifty yards of line and tie new on. It isn't necessary to pull all the line off your reel, just the line that is seeing the most use and then a little more. Tie new line to the old with a blood knot and you're ready to go.
Some anglers like to go with line that is a little tougher in the summer months, as weeds are more developed now than they were in the summer. Trilene XT is an excellent example of a tough line that is easy to work with.
Don't forget basic trailer maintenance. Make sure that the tires are inflated to the proper levels. That is important for the life of the tire, as improperly inflated tires don't last as long.
Also, properly inflated tires provide better gas mileage as you're towing the trailer, and with our dependence on foreign oil and higher gas prices, a couple extra miles per gallon is a nice thing.
Be sure to check the bearings on the trailer also. After putting your trailer in the water a few times, it is important to make sure the bearings have proper levels of lubricant. If you don't know how or what to check the bearings for, a trip to your dealer is in line.
If you got a new boat to start the year, now is a good time to tighten screws in the seat bases, on the electric motor, and on sonar bases. These have a way of working themselves loose, and it's better to locate loose screws when the boat is on the trailer instead of on the lake.
Don't forget to put an edge on your hooks, and be sure to replace lures that have been lost. And, if you've discovered a lure that is particularly productive, you should make sure you have a back-up or two to that one.
If you check all of these items, and correct them in a timely manner, consider yourself to be doing well. These maintenance checks are easy and quick if you do them now, and they can create a real hassle if you don't do them now.
For more fish-catching information, visit fishingthemidwest.com

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