Being an Efficient Angler….It Begins Long Before You Hit the Water

By Loren Keizer- Why Fish Staff Member

It’s getting to be that time of year again-you’ve either got your boat out or you’re wishing you had your boat out. Soon enough everyone will get their chance to hit the open water.

Every once in a while we pull up to the landing and witness something we all dread seeing. You pull up to the access looking to quickly launch your boat, only to see someone already there. The bad thing is, this angler doesn’t even have their boat ready. You see them loading their gas tank, batteries, fishing gear, and other miscellaneous items into the boat. You wonder, why didn’t this angler have everything ready before pulling up to the landing? Witnessing this can cause frustration to many anglers but by following a basic and simple list, you can avoid frustrating yourself and fellow anglers.

By being prepared before you even leave the house you will be more efficient when you get to the lake. Here is a simple list to go by before you think of hitting the open water this season.

First thing is fuel. Make sure you have fresh fuel in the tank, this is especially critical the first time out. If you have old fuel in your tank drain it out, as this can cause immediate or prolonged damage. Also check to make sure you have enough fuel in the tank, there is nothing worse than running out of fuel while out on the water. It never hurts to carry a spare gallon of fuel with you either.

Another important item on your list are the motors. Whether you have just an outboard or a trolling motor also, this is your key to getting on the water. Will they start? This may be a stupid question, but nothing is more frustrating than backing the boat in and the motor won’t start. Check that it turns over at home, check any fluids that also need to be looked at. Your trolling motor, which isn’t quite as critical, should be checked over also. Does it function the way it should? This will also tell you if you did indeed charge your battery well enough. Make sure the controls for the trolling motor are doing what your are telling it to do as well.

Next thing to think about are the batteries. Have the batteries been charged up since you last were out? Keeping a full charge on your batteries will allow you to enjoy your time on the water. Also making sure that you have enough batteries to run everything is key. Charge up the batteries the night before and hook them up in the morning before you leave the house. This will guarantee that you have power to everything.

You will also want to take a look at your electronics. You may want to hook them up at home and check them over. See that they are functioning properly and that your cords are plugged in the right spot. If you wait to hook them up till you get to the lake, be courteous and have this ready before pulling up to the landing.
Lastly, is all your fishing gear in the boat? Do you have your net, minnow bucket, anchor, rain gear, rods and tackle for the day? I usually try and make another list for the rods and tackle based on the fish I am targeting. This is not necessary but does help the forgetful, excited brain some days. Also have your drinks and snacks loaded in your boat as well. Avoid making multiple trips from the vehicle to the boat at the landing.

This is just a quick list but can make your day more enjoyable by checking these things before you leave the house. There may be other things you may want to add to the list also, but by covering the bases you will become a more efficient angler.

So whether you are fishing a quiet lake all by yourself or heading to a lake with a hot bite, being ready when it’s your turn to launch will make everyone’s day start out on the right foot.

Have a fun and safe open water season!