Northwest Reel Life April 2024 Volume 3 Issue 7 - Flipbook - Page 11
with waterproof LED lights.
Look over your rod holders,
net, and downriggers for
damage and functionality.
Also check for loose
fasteners, worn or missing
parts, and corroded
electrical connections.
Fix anything that is even
remotely questionable. We
recently made a 30-mile
run to fish salmon on one
of the Canadian banks. One
of the downriggers was
acting up and it turned
out that the shaft seal had
failed and allowed water
into the motor.
Basically, it was sort of
seized. Slow going down
with a breaker popping
retrieve. Would I have
seen the problem on a
preseason check, I doubt it,
but you never know.
As a final note about
kokanee boats. We have
caught many kokanee
from a human powered
boat. Kayaks, drift boats,
and inflatables will all work.
No down riggers? just
flat line or use a lead line
rig and row away. I think
the random action from
paddling or rowing drives
kokanee nuts. If you do
head out without a motor
watch the weather and
consider whether your boat
is appropriate for the body
of water.
Check out your rods and
reels. I know everything
worked fine last year so you
have nothing to do - wrong!
It is the start of what should
be a productive fishing
season and you don’t want
to lose the fish of a lifetime
because your favorite
reel has a funky drag. If
anything is questionable,
fix it or get it repaired. It
may be time to replace your
line. If so, take your reels to
a high-volume tackle store
(Think Holiday Sports in
Burlington or similar) and
have them bulk fill your
reels. Their line should be
fresher and most recycle
your old line.
