Before we get too deep into another year on the water, I want to pass on a bit about some of the regular pre-season preparation. While I am a bit late on this post, I did get most of my intended tasks completed in time to enjoy a couple open water outings this month. But those are tales for next week.

One of the main off-season tasks is re-spooling my reels. Many years ago, Julie bought me a Berkley line station that includes a line stripping tool. Each winter, I take the apparatus down off the hook in the garage, strip all my reels bare and apply fresh line. I am a longtime monofilament man with my choice being Trilene XL-Smooth Casting (clear) in 12-pound test for my casting reels and 10-pound test for my spinning reels.

Next up is to take an inventory of my gear and replace what is needed. While I technically don’t really need much new stuff after forty-plus years, I always make a few purchases. This year, they included straight shank worm hooks after viewing a tip from a YouTuber over the winter. I also grabbed a small utility box for terminal tackle and a bag of twin tail spinnerbait trailers. There were a pair of unanticipated purchases in the form of two new Berkley Shock fishing rods. They were on sale at a significant savings at a local store and I just can’t pass up something like that ($21 apiece with regular price $52 each). Now I need to find a marked down spinning reel.

Before repair

After repair

This winter, lure repair was also on the to-do list. Treble hooks catch logs just like they catch fish, and a pair of recent snags had damaged two trebles. Just to add here, a lure retriever is an invaluable tool that has saved me hundreds of dollars over the years. Instead of losing those lipless crankbaits to the depths, all I have to do is replace bent or broken hooks after a successful salvage. These days “cheater” glasses are also a crucial tool when trying to expand split rings and apply the new trebles.

Beyond the gear, there is the annual renewal of my Little John Conservation Club membership. As of 2025, I an now a thirty-year member so after seeing dues increase to over $200 a year (unless I opt to participate in work days), I now pay a whopping $10. Been waiting for that change, now I just need to take advantage of the fishing as I neglected the club completely last year.

Of course, do not forget your Illinois fishing license which comes due on March 31. Many years ago, Dad and I learned not to put that one off as we searched for an early morning option on our way to the fishing hole. As I recall, we had to wait for a hardware store in Knoxville to open to make our purchase. Nowadays anglers can take care of it online but as a traditionalist, what fun is that.

The truck has a recent oil change, the sandbags are out of the bed, and my bicycle tires are aired up. I still need to figure out some boat seat repair and one of these days I will need new oars but overall, I am ready to go.

And the preparation has already paid off so stay tuned for the first Top 5 post and fishing report of 2025. Good thing that I have the fishing log ready, and the databases and spreadsheets updated for the new year. Talk to you later. Troy