Lake Champlain United - Forums

1. Now is the time to change old line if needed (age, nicks, exposure to UV).
2. Sharpen hooks.
3. Get UV Nail Polish to touch up damaged or dull lures.
4. How's your net?
5. Got a way to test your engines? (Water ears)
6. Clean and oil your reels.
7. Check the first 50' of your down rigger wire for kinks.
8. Supply of same size Snaps and Snap-Swivels.
9. Repair kit with spare hooks, file, leader material etc.

Please add your thoughts! /Jim

Does your trailer have a current state inspection? Easy for law enforcement to sweep a busy access area parking area to check while your out fishing.

Check rod guides for cracks and nicks.
Register boat
Current licence
Charge batteries


Easy for me to say as we still have 3 feet of ice.

Check those tires...any cracks, pressure right, uneven tread wear, do you have a spare and are wheel bearings greased??? Anything you needed on the boat last year that you should have had but forgot to add/replace??? Do you have an inventory of the stuff you actually have on the boat to what you should have on the boat. This list should have at least the minimum stuff you need to be legal...(ie, paddle(s), PFD's, anchor with enough rope, WORKING lights for both the BOAT & TRAILER, signaling device such as a horn/whistle) ...Here's a big one I've needed...do you have extra boat PLUG aboard in case you forgot the one for the boat??? !!!! How about a boat hook??? They're nice to have when you are coming into the docks on windy days...and do you have mooring lines for both sides and are they long enough in case there is a back up of boats and you can't get to the side you want??? These are just some of things I've needed, I keep most of the stuff in a 30 gal. rubber maid tote clearly marked "boat" and take with me every trip (hopefully) that way your not looking all over for the stuff and it keeps things relatively neat.

Keep the ideas coming!

Make your own typed list and have it laminated.

Use it before most trips to jog your memory

Save some stuff to do in the boat to make your guests think you know what you are doing.

C-Hawk wrote:Save some stuff to do in the boat to make your guests think you know what you are doing.

Catching a few fish might be better

Changing your motor's impeller is a priority before you hit the water. 3 years is the standard life span.

Battery: Older than 4-5 years replace it! The electrolytes in the cells weaken with age. Sure it might seem ok and start your engine until it dies one day out on the water.

Replacing a battery or impeller is good thing to do before you launch your boat for the new season. Not sure about the date of the battery? Date stamp on the battery when it was manufactured.

Trailer tires older than 5 years? Good time to put fresh rubber on your trailer. Don't wait for cracks and wear from the effects of UV light and age.

It's all about the maintenance and not being that guy that waits for trouble along the side of the road with a blown trailer tire or needing a tow or jump start out dead on the water for a dead battery or overheating engine. Be pro-active not re-active when it comes to maintaince!


Don't be this guy!

Don’t forget your ice chisel...

check fire extinguishers kidde has big recall going free of charge but afects most of the small disposables. kiddes website has all the info.