| Fishing season will be here quicker than you think. | | | | Consider these suggestions for your tackle box this |
| Whether you are a seasoned angler or occasional | | | | year. |
| line-wetter, this is a great time to do these five | | | | 1.) Lighten it up a little. It's like packing for a trip; you |
| important tasks. | | | | never wear half the clothes you pack. You probably |
| Most people ended their season last year by just | | | | never use 90% of what's in your tackle box. Thin it |
| putting their rods and tackle box in the garage or | | | | out to the essentials and you'll be happier, less |
| basement on a shelf. The rods and reels are still | | | | cluttered, and spend more time fishing and less time |
| covered with last year's residue, and may be slightly | | | | goofing around with tangled rusty messes on the |
| rusted, corroded, or oxidized. The tackle could still be | | | | creekside. |
| damp and water WILL have its way with most | | | | 2.) Keep your knives sharp by keeping a small |
| metals, bearing, hooks, sharps, knives, etc. If you | | | | ceramic sharpener in the box. Make sure the blades |
| have done any salt water fishing, it is even more | | | | are clean, sharp, and polish with petroleum jelly and |
| important to attend to your gear because the salt is | | | | wipe off excess. |
| so corrosive. Here are five things you should now to | | | | 3.) Get a pair of larger nail clippers for snipping lines |
| get yourself ready for the upcoming season. | | | | and knots. |
| 1.) Just open your tackle box and bring it inside to | | | | 4.) Put in a small bottle of sewing machine or barber |
| room temperature for a week to evaporate all | | | | clipper oil. It's lighter and doesn't attract dirt and dust |
| moisture. | | | | to moving parts. |
| 2.) Separate that tangled mess of lures, snelled | | | | 5.) Dollar store reading glasses are great to see your |
| hooks, and snap swivels. | | | | knots, snap swivels, and help you see better in your |
| 3.) Soak, don't rinse, all your water-safe tackle and | | | | box when the sun starts to go down. |
| reels in distilled water for a couple of days to dissolve | | | | 6.) Granola bars, crackers, and nuts are great things |
| all residues and then spread it out on a table or | | | | to keep in the box to ward off hunger, weariness, |
| workbench to let it air dry for a couple days. | | | | and keep you focused after a few hours of fishing. |
| 4.) Completely empty your tackle box. Clean it with | | | | 7.) Incense, punks, or cheap cigars make great |
| warm water and a grease cutting dish soap like | | | | "bug-chasers" if the skeeters or fleas are biting. |
| Dawn to remove all grease, oils, and "creekside | | | | 8.) An LED light for the visor of your cap is worth its |
| residue". Let it dry completely. | | | | weight in gold as the day grows darker. It'll keep |
| 5.) Reorganize your compartments, sections, and oil | | | | your hands free for everything. Believe me...you'll |
| the hinges and latches. | | | | thank me for this one. |
| Now go hand wash and air dry your fishing vest for | | | | Doing these things soon will help ensure that you |
| the first time. Organize those pockets, go get your | | | | have a pleasurable and memorable fishing season this |
| fishing license and put it in its protective sleeve. | | | | year. |