By David Woods
It’s officially Spooky Season and yesterday, while I was out fishing, I did not see another soul.
More often this time of year, outdoors folks are thinking about hunting as much or more than they are fishing, minding their game cameras, and filling bins with corn. I saw a couple hundred teal on the water, on federal land of course, where they are free from shotgun blasts. Call ducks whatever you want, but don’t call them stupid. They know where they are safe.
While there aren’t a lot of people hitting the water, the fishing is always excellent this time of year. Fall fishing is resplendent. At no other time of year are there as many different species of fish in active feeding mode in as many places. It is by far the best time of year to fish and catch quality fish in most places. Adding in the fact that crowds are light, it is simply the best time of year for fishermen.
The tragedy is that the kids are in school and with after-school practices, weekend games, and state competitions coming up, many of us get pinched for time on the water. With that in mind, I thought I would mention it is an excellent time of year to maintain gear and fix or replace anything that doesn’t pass inspection. I first check my lines and reel functionality. A quick visual inspection of the lines and spools should reveal any that are off-color, faded, or frayed. Generally, I like to change monofilament or fluorocarbon lines every three to six months, depending on the level of use. Braided lines can be changed less often. I set up my surf reels with braided line backing and a topshot of monofilament or flouro, which I change often, but not the braid.
Inspect your rods and especially the guides for wear and grooves that may nick the line. Bad rod guides or malfunctions often cause broken lines. Finding the right fishing equipment for your style of fishing and the wear and tear you put on the gear is key to getting out there and fishing often. Rinse your gear with freshwater especially after a sporty day. Protect your reels with a quality spray silicon or reel magic, which will retard some of the inevitable oxidation that happens in saltwater. Every piece of fishing gear will eventually succumb to the elements, but we can make them last far longer with just a little bit of effort. Rust happens fastest when two unlike metals touch in the presence of salt and moisture. Take precautions with weights and hooks, rinsing and drying terminal gear before storing it.
It may sound excessive, but fishing gear is expensive and maintaining it is the best way to reduce costs while being friendlier to our environment. The less gear we go through, the less that ends up in the trash. Great fishing days begin long before they actually happen, with preparation and maintenance being the utmost priority. When you hook into the fish of a lifetime, may it not be your gear that fails you.