Equipment storage
If, during the season, you get used to it and know where (more or less) this or that lure is, this is often less true after 6 months without handling your boxes... If you're like me, you probably have lures anywhere in any box... Soft lures rub shoulders with undulators, spinners and swimming fish in small, cramped boxes, and you can't really find your way around anymore... We take everything out, sort it and see if it's all in good condition for a new season. We then sort out the "correct" lures and those in need of refurbishment.
You can also quickly draw up a list of your needs: the small tackle of course (hooks, swivels, pliers, magnets, boxes) that make life easier at the water's edge, lures, rods and reels, landing net...
News
Many will also indulge themselves by buying the latest pearl or treating themselves to a few lures that apparently worked well last year. Brand and distributor catalogs are full of new products.
Social networks and the Internet make it easy to find these coveted products. Of course, it's also a good idea to sell any equipment you no longer need during this period, when not all enthusiasts are at the water's edge.
Maintenance
Once the equipment is more or less sorted, I proceed to a refurbishment. I change treble hooks almost systematically for assist hooks.
I clean the boxes, rods and reels. I check that they turn well. I clean the outside and apply a light coat of grease and oil. You can also send them to be serviced in a store or by one of the few "artisans" who are flourishing in reel maintenance and customization.
Reel wire should be checked carefully and changed if necessary. You can also change the direction of the line to reuse the bottom of the reel, which is not used very much. This is a very important point for the coming season.
I completely empty and clean my saddlebags. I vacuum them to remove dust and leaves, and beforehand, I remove the balls of thread and other small scraps that I have accumulated during my fishing and that I have obviously not thrown away in nature! I put everything in the washing machine on cold or 40°C. I first remove the magnets, snap hooks, service buttons... And that's it.
Lures too, especially metal lures, often need a facelift. When it comes to cleaning spoons (spinners, micro spinnerbaits, wobbling spoons), there are many, many ways to go about it. For tarnished and pitted spoons, you can use a soft cloth, a toothbrush to scrub and various products: white vinegar, lemon, Coca-Cola, methylated spirits, or Mirror for pots and pans... Anything goes. The white vinegar and the cloth work very well for me, and it's environmentally friendly!
For traces of rust in the boxes, which can appear especially when the hooks are stored still damp or when water has entered your box following rain or a fall into the water, I've already used warm lemon water mixed with salt. I scrubbed and let it sit in the box for an hour. Then rinse with soapy water or washing-up liquid. 90% of even encrusted rust is gone. Leave to dry thoroughly before putting lures back in...
Rods also need washing. A cloth and hot water are all you need. Cork handles may need a little refurbishing. As cork is a natural material, the application of an oil can strengthen the material. Rings and ligatures are cleaned of any dust, stringy algae or pollen lodged between the ring and the blank. The varnish, blank and rings are also checked to ensure they are in good condition.
Preparing for the big day
Once all the equipment is ready for a new season of adventure, it's time to prepare more specifically for opening day. You'll need to check the weather, Vigicrue, and gather information. You'll need to select your fishing spot wisely, and adapt your equipment according to its physiognomy and the fish present.
As for me, I make myself a checklist so as to forget as little as possible. Lures, rod and reel, spotting scope, pliers, line, lead heads, landing nets, warm clothing and a change of clothes, picnic, water bottle, cap or visor, measuring cup... There's a lot to think about... And if you forget the slightest thing, the fun can easily be spoiled.
Don't forget your fishing license, and don't take it out at the last minute...
