Tackle OVERHAUL - It's About Time

TACKLE OVERHAUL - IT'S ABOUT TIME

I live in the South and I can fish all year round.

Well, in theory I can.
And a lot of people here think they must.
But I don't.

For at least a few months during the colder portion of the Winter, I spend time doing home projects, certain yard work chores, car, boat, and truck fix-ups... generally a lot of the things I don't want to make time for during the warm fishing months.

Something else I do at this time is go through my fishing tackle.

There are several good reasons for spending an evening with your tackle box, boat locker, or whatever you use that passes for a tackle box.

Get Organized
The first reason to make this effort is to get everything in shape.

If I were to fish all the time, without any break, my gear would stay a mess. 

I would misplace things. 

I would run out of stuff at the worst possible moment.
My gear would get cluttered and tangled....

However, taking a little break from the action gives me opportunity to examine lures and flies, to check for hooks that need sharpening, straightening or replaced.
If their paint needs touching up, or the feathers and fur need retying, I can do that.

Scales, steel tapes, pliers, scissors, the various tools and knives, all can be inspected, sharpened and oiled. 
Spoons, spinners and other metallic lures will need polishing and a touch of lacquer, of course. 

And, I can clean the box itself, washing out whatever funk and dirt inevitably gets in the thing.

A little soap, fresh water, and baking soda will do wonders for a grungy tackle box.

Get Ready
The second reason to take this time is to do an inventory — to see what you'll need for the fishing to come. 

Make a list of lures that have been lost, leaders and lines that have been consumed or become ragged, and equipment that has broken or worn out.

And don't forget to add to the list those items you needed or wished you'd had, but didn't.

Santa Claus Needs You
Such a list will not only help you remember to replace or buy what you can, but did you ever think what a great Christmas list it will make?

If you do this before the Yuletide rolls around, anyone who wonders what to put under the Christmas tree for you... well, you can make it easy for them.

The Joy of Gathering 

And seriously, there is a sublime, even warming joy in getting organized and making a good ready. 

Today you hear people talking about, “getting their ducks in a row," meaning to have themselves and their lives in order.
Well, most of the time, my ducks are nowhere near a row.

In fact, they're more like squirrels,... and they're mostly drunk. 

But, I can take a wholesome satisfaction in that little bit of control provided by a well planned gear stash.

The List
With that in mind, here's a check list of items you might consider for your tackle box. 

“Everyone likes lists”

Look it over and see if there isn't some ideas here you can use.

Tackle Box Checklist

• Lures of every kind, for all purposes and occasions
• Wire leaders (preferably nylon coated)
• A variety of nylon/fluorocarbon leader material on small spools
• A variety of swivels
• Sinkers of all kinds
• A variety of bait hooks, fly hooks, and treble hooks for lures.
• Beads
• A variety of Various floats
• Float stops
• Small fly tying kit and hand vise

• Hook hone
• A variety of knives – I have three
• Tapered pliers with side cutters that can cut a hook
• Multitool
• Scissors
• Line clipper (to save teeth when cutting mono.)
• Unhooker, forceps or disgorger
• Vinyl electrical tape or duct tape (useful for repairing rod windings, etc.)
• Super glue
• Fish stringer
• Tape ruler and fish scale

• Waterproof bags for fish, licenses, wallet, personal electronics, etc.
• Trash bags
• Sunglasses, preferably polarized
• Plastic rain poncho
• Insect repellent
• Suntan lotion
• Reel oil
• Reel repair tools (small wrench/screwdrivers/needle nose pliers)

• Small flashlight
• Matches
• Toilet Paper
• Bottle opener

• And lastly, a bigger tackle box or bag to hold all this stuff.
  
  Of course, you probably won't want all of these things... or you might.
  And you will surely come up with things on your own to add.
  But take the time to do an overhaul. You'll be glad you did.

(Updated from November 1965 PA Angler)

Thanks and Tight Lines,

David

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