Written by Brian Wright
Since spring is nearing and the fishing season will be starting soon it’s time to get the boat ready for the lake. Make sure you do your maintenance check on the boat and trailer. Another important aspect is make sure you have the right gear on board that could help you out in a jam while you are on the water.
I will give you an example, I was fishing a tournament at Smithville Lake on a very hot July day and I had my electronics and live wells running all day. My fishing partner and I are ready to cruise back to the weigh -in and I go to start the engine and nothing. I made sure my kill switch was still connected, it was. I turn the key again and nothing. Panic set in we had fish we needed to weigh –in! Then I remembered what my uncle had told me when I first got my boat. So I jumped up and opened my tool compartment and sure enough there they were, Jumper cables. I connected the cables to one of my trolling motor batteries then to my cranking battery then I turned the key and the engine fired right up. Then relief set in, we cruised back to the weigh- in and took 4th place in the tournament. The type of gear you have on board your boat can make a big difference as it did in my case.
Here is a list of items I always keep on board my boat;
- Jumper Cables
- Tool kit with a socket set
- Duck tape ,this will fix anything
- Electrical tape
- Flash light with spare batteries
- First aid Kit
- Everyone should have a fire extinguisher
- Spare motor prop
- Spare trolling motor prop
- Life jackets for 3 people
- A throw cushion per state water patrol regulations
- a small ore.
- Rain gear
- Toilet paper
- Have fun fishing.