What to do when you can't fish in the winter?

It was -2 degrees out yesterday...

Any one else dreaming of summer bassin'? Let's talk about what you can do in the meantime to prepare for ice out! 

As an angler in the northern states, preparing for open water fishing season requires more than just waiting for the ice to melt. There are several activities you can engage in to ensure you are ready to hit the water as soon as the season opens. 

Organize 

One of the first things you should do to prepare for open water fishing is to organize your tackle. Sort through your fishing gear, clean your tackle box, maybe even come up with a brand new storage system! I know my gear takes a beating throughout the year, and a rarely take the time to go back through and reorganize the messes I create when fishing season is in full swing. Now is the time to make sure your hooks are sharp, your lines are in good condition, and your lures are organized for easy access when you are out on the water.

Replenish

Throughout the fishing season, you may have burned through a pile of your go-to confidence bait. Take inventory of your supplies and stock up on any essentials that you will need for the upcoming season. I always try to prepare with the month of March and April in mind first so I am good to go right at ice out. That means ensuring your chatterbait box is tuned up, your jerkbaits are at the ready, and of course I always have a Primal jig ready to drag around for those sluggish winter bass. I also take a look at my rod and reel arsenal. Were there any holes that I felt like I needed to fill last year but did not get around to? Now is a great time to grab that 7'9" flipping stick you have been needing. Or that 7"m action spinning rod since you want to play around with livescope more this year. Having a well-stocked tackle box and gear bag will ensure you are prepared for any fishing conditions you may encounter.

Maintain

Before heading out for open water fishing, it is important to perform maintenance on your fishing equipment. Inspect your fishing rods for any signs of wear and tear. I always take a long hard look at my fishing guides. Check for any sort of crack or abbrasion on each guide. One small nick in a ceramic guide will lead to MANY baits and fish snapping off in the future. Clean and lubricate your reels. This is something I am terrible at! This year I am making it a point to at least go through the reels I utilize most and give them the attention they need. Finally check your boat for any necessary repairs. Ensuring that your equipment is in good working condition will not only improve your fishing experience but also prolong the life of your gear. I take this time to replace the small stuff that was nagging me throughout the year. Fix that glove compartment that does not latch any more. That switch that no longer works. The small upgrades you make during the off season, make a world of difference out on the water later on! 

By taking the time to organize your tackle, stock up on gear, and perform maintenance on your equipment, you can set yourself up for a successful open water fishing season in the northern states. 

BAFA Fantasy fishing group

I just wanted to follow up the article to say THANK you all so much for the support in the BAFA fantasy fishing group! As of this moment we are pushing 100 total members! If you have not joined yet there is still time to get in on the action. We will be giving away BAFA Fishing prize packs to the top 3 finishers in our group! 

It is free to join, and fun to follow along throughout the elite series schedule. Use the link below to create an account, go to groups, type in or scroll until you see "BAFA Fishing". We are currently in the top 15 so we should not be hard to find! 

This is also an awesome outlet to stay plugged into fishing while we are locked out by ice up north here! Message us on social media if you have any questions/issues joining! 

Tight lines and PLEASE let Spring come soon!