Spin-off from Baywolf's Thread

[Ponce]

After reading Baywolf’s thread on gear preparation which I really enjoyed. I thought I would put some thoughts out there from a recreational weekend warrior’s point of view. I get out 20-30 times a year and primarily troll, jig, and bottom fish in that order when it comes to time doing each.

CLT_Capt made a good point that for the guy that doesn’t get out, but a few times a year they need to make every opportunity count. Let’s face it going offshore is not a cheap day no matter what you are running, I can probably do it as cheap as anyone in my 24 foot CC, a normal day is between $150-$250 when it is all said in done. With the time, effort and money put into these trips I never want to think that if only would have (fill in the blank) I would have got that fish. If I miss or lose a fish I want it to be an honest mistake or for it just too be the fishes day, not because I was too lazy to sharpen a hook or too cheap to change out a 30 cent leader.

I listen a lot to the guys that do this for a living in person and in what they post on this site. I figure there is a good reason they are doing something a certain way, after all that is their lively hood. I also listen to the guys that are constantly successful they obviously are doing something right to have such good day every time they hit the water. I then try to incorporate the things that I think will help me for my style of fishing on my boat. I understand there is more than one way to do things and I may modify an idea to fit my style and boat.

After spending 24 years in the Marine Corps flying I am defiantly a creature of habit and am very anal about my preparation and equipment. When the feces hits the wind maker isn’t the time to wish you had done something, or prepared a little better.

So here are a few things I do for every trip and some I do once or twice a year to make sure I’m ready to go. I hope some of you guys will post some of the things you do to be successful. I’ll also list a couple things that I want to get better at.

I mark each reel with a small piece of the colored electrical type with a number on it. The number is unique to that reel and the color matches the lbs. test of the line on the reel. An example would be all my reels with green tape have 50 lbs. test line and blue tape has 60 lbs. test line.

First off I have a spread sheet for every reel I own( I drive my wife nuts with my spread sheets) here is what is on the spread sheet:
- Date I bought the reel
- Serial number
- Date I last serviced the reel (I do the light servicing)
- Date of the last major servicing and who did it (Total break downs, drag changes ect.)
- Type and lbs. test of line on the reel
- The exact date I put the line on the reel

Once or twice a year I do my servicing of the rods and reels, which includes a deep cleaning and oiling or grease as appropriate. If I have rollers on my rods they get cleaned and greased, the reels are removed from the rods and cleaned and the rods are cleaned and checked for signs of damage. The line is replaced once a year.

I also spend the winter tying witches and this year I added some Cannon gear heads thanks to my wife. I also make planner bridals, and wind-ons for my jigging set-ups. I also check my safety gear and the dates on flares to make sure they are good to go.

This year thanks in a large part to Flat Liner (Kevin Knox) I’ve started building rods so by this summer my complete trolling set-up will be Ponce made custom rods.

Before every trip this is what I do in a nut shell:
- Every hook is sharpened
- Every leader that had fish caught is replaced. if did not catch a fish it may not be replaced, but it is checked from top to bottom and if there is anything I don’t like it is changed . (I fish mono so we are talking about 30 cents a leader max).
- All my lures, (witches, Ilanders, jigs, ect) are at least rinsed and checked to make sure they are holding together.
- I check my drag with a scale for every trip
- I check my safety gear and first aid kit
- I also do the normal check of the boat before each trip

Boy this got a lot longer winded than I thought it would, but I thought I would throw out there some of the things I do in hopes the others would do the same. I know I could pick up something if some of you do. I just finished with my reels yesterday and at this point I’m ready to go for this season all I need is the weather windows to make it happen.

When fishing the same rods get fished in the same position every time. That way when it gets hit I know how heavy the line is and how much drag is on the reel as soon as it is hit. I figure if I ever tie into a monster it will help me make decisions because I know what I'm dealing with from a gear stand point.

I believe that LUCK is where PREPARATION MEETS OPPORTUNITY and I want to be as lucky as possible.

So post up your preparation secrets and let’s have a great season this year.

[bigfishhooker]

Ponce...we got the same boat. Can't beat 3 MPG running 35MPH with the Yammy.

One thing I have found to help in my clean up and maintenance is the Penn Rod and Reel cleaner. It's a citric based cleaner that won't leave a greasy residue but breaks down the salt. I have custom rods...all roller tips and use this on all my gear. It comes in a black spray bottle...highly recommended.

Google "Penn Reel Cleaner" for more.

[clt_capt]

Great stuff Ponce.

As a weekend warrior, I usually have the "benefit" of lots of prep time between trips. A good pit of the prep work can be done at home in the evenings - especially re-rigging leaders and the like

Over the winter, I'll usually make up a bunch of leaders - after a day of fishing, everything that went in the water gets cut off and rerigged - Easy to do at home - No need to waste valuable on the water time.

Same with gear that gets broken - take it home fix it and be ready to go for the next trip.

Drags get checked while prepping for each trip - usually while bait is thawing - Same with roller guides - After the trip they all get washed - anything that needs work goes home...

[merry marlin]

Jeff I recognize the meticulous flight instructor attention to detail here... No mistake or that Afgan mountain will eat you up!
Because we live almost 4 hours from the coast we're always on a rush when it comes to prep... The only thing we really prepare are bottom rigs during the long drive downeast. I find mini pieces of 100lbs mono all over my car!!! When the sharks or wrecks start eating up your rigs you've got to reload fast!
This year thanks to Capt John we'll be a little better prepared with some 14oz lead sinkers...
MM

[BTH284]

Good thread here Jeff. Always pays to put all negative variables out of the picture before game time.

[WAHOONBOX]

5 STAR.....JER I WANT A STICKY ON THIS


GREAT JOB PONCEY....