How to Get Tackle Ready for Spring Bass Fishing
- 1). Inspect your rods and reels for dirt, debris and any signs of corrosion. Rods and reels that may have been stored through the winter without being cleaned should be wiped down and lightly oiled. Use a mild soapy water solution to wipe down reels, rod blanks and line guides. Apply a small amount of multipurpose oil to metal surfaces.
- 2). Remove the contents from your tackle box or bag. Sort through your plastic baits and discard any that are excessively worn or show signs of deterioration. Faded plastic baits should also be discarded.
- 3). Examine your spinner baits, crank baits and other hard plastic or metal lures. Wipe the surface of the lures with a soapy water solution to remove any dirt or debris. Dry them thoroughly with a rag before storing again. Examine the hooks of these lures looking for signs of rust, corrosion and damage. In many cases hooks can be replaced by removing them from the split ring and attaching a new one.
- 4). Sort through and organize your terminal tackle. Terminal tackle includes hooks, floats, swivels, beads, weights and other items that would be attached as part of a rig to the end of your line. It is common for used or worn terminal tackle to be tossed back in a tackle box. This is the time to sort it all out and throw away what is worn out or damaged.
- 5). Examine the line on your fishing reels. Old line that is damaged, worn or permanently coiled from storage should be replaced. Pull the line from the reel and dispose of it properly in a line recycling container. Attach new line with an arbor knot and fill the spool as recommended by the manufacturer.
- 6). Tie the arbor knot by feeding several inches of line around the spool. Form an over hand knot with the free end of the line so that the loop passes around the main line. Form a second over hand knot, using only the free end of the line, below the first knot. Pull the knot tight against the spool and trim excess line from the free end with scissors.