Northwest Reel Life March 2024 Volume 3 Issue 5 - Flipbook - Page 29
Check all the switches and
breakers to make sure they
are working.
Inspect the condition of
your downrigger cable or
braid. If you are running a
stainless steel cable and it
is rusted or kinked, replace
it. If you are running one of
the synthetic braids cut off
a few feet and re-tie it. You
don’t want 10-15 pounds
of lead to suddenly head
for the bottom, potentially
taking your rod and rod
holder with it. However,
if it does, it may be an
indication that your release
clip was a bit too tight. Also
check for loose fasteners,
worn or missing parts
and corroded electrical
connections. Fix anything
that is even remotely
questionable.
Give your trailer the once
over. Now is the time to
check the trailer lights and
trailer brake fluid levels.
Also, check the tire pressure
on all the tires including
the spare. Ensure that all
bunks and/or rollers are
in good condition. Check
your safety chain, winch
strap or cable and tie down
straps and replace them
if they are questionable.
Check your lights and
if they need replacing
consider replacing them
with waterproof LED lights.
Initially, they are more
costly but with increased
reliability they will pay for
themselves in no time. As
an added safety benefit
the LEDs are much brighter
than the standard 12-volt
incandescent lights. Now is
also a good time to check
and maybe even repack
your trailer bearings, better
safe than sorry.
I know, all your rods are
piled up safe and sound in
the corner of the garage
and better yet 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 case of the herkiejerkies. Although with most
reels it is easy enough to
replace the drag washers,
sometimes getting the
replacement parts can be
a challenge. When you
disassemble your reels use
simple green to thoroughly
clean the reel components.
Rinse and then dry the
parts using the low setting
on a blow-drier or heat gun
before reassembly. Once
the parts are clean inspect
everything, look for unusual
wear and replace anything
suspect. Use advanced
synthetic lubricants and
reel grease sparingly during
the reassembly process.
If you are running mono,
replace it with new line.
Take your reels to a highvolume tackle store
(Think Holiday Sports in
Burlington or similar) and
have them bulk-fill your
reels. Their line should be
fresher, and most tackle
shops recycle your old line.
Also, give all your rods the
once over. Make a point to
verify that each line guide
is not cracked or worn.
You can use a cotton swab
and swirl around in each
guide. If the guide catches
any cotton fibers the guide
needs to be replaced. I have
lost a few notable fish due
to cracked ceramic guide
inserts.
MARCH 2024 | 29
