Planning a fishing trip is super exciting. You and your family or friends will probably talk every day leading up to the trip. But, that trip can be ruined in a heartbeat if you are underprepared. Now I am going to assume that your fishing trip involves a boat and trolling motor. Down Below we are going to explain in detail everything you need to have ready to make your fishing trip a success.
Reliable Transportation for Your Road Trip
So having a reliable vehicle to drive from one state to another is a must. Make sure you get your oil changed and overall service was done before you head to your fishing destination. Windshield wiper blades and some Rain X additive is great in case you encounter storms on your voyage.
Make sure all your lights work properly as well before you leave. I even like to have the replacements with me just in case. I would also include a bag in the car with all the possible tools you may need if you need to fix something.
As well as a tire jack if you have a better one then the one that comes standard in most vehicles. You especially would want one if you had a flat tire on your boat trailer.
Speaking of a boat trailer that is something you will want to inspect also on the way down. You will want to check your spare tire on the trailer and make sure it has an adequate amount of air in it. I always like to have a Tire Repair Kit with me just in case I run into problems with one of my vehicles.
Also, have extra spare tires for your trailer. I was once on a fishing trip and headed to Venice, Louisiana and the trailer tires that we had were faulty and had a recall on them. We had 3 Flat tires on that trip. We even came ready with spares but we ran out and had to stop at Walmart to get another. Make sure you have good tires on your trailers and also have extra spares in the truck or boat in case something goes wrong.
Make Sure Boat is Running Smoothly
Before I go on a fishing trip especially if it is far away I like to have my boat engine serviced and checked over. If you have any intermittent problems make sure those are addressed before you haul your boat five states away. Have your batteries tested and if they are nearing the end then go ahead and replaced them before your fishing trip. Once you replace them go out on the water and test everything to make sure everything is running correctly.
Spare Prop and Prop Wrench
This is an absolute must. Obviously you have to be careful out on the water but, accidents do happen. You should definitely have a prop wrench which looks like this for most boats. Make sure to check and get the right kind for your prop. Also, make an investment in a spare prop. If you don’t want to spend as much you can buy them used or buy an aluminum prop.
Trolling Motor
Let’s face it!! The trolling motor is everything on a fishing trip. If that thing breaks down then your fishing trip is not going to be a good one. One of my fishing trips was on Lake Chickamauga. We had a fantastic day and caught a ton of fish. As I was approaching the dock to drop my buddy off to get the trailer he lost his balance and stepped on the trolling motor peddle.
The next day we put the boat in the water and I deployed the trolling motor the peddle was loose and not steering. Come to find out when my uncoordinated 🙂 friend with the balance of a 3-year-old stepped on the pedal he broke the steel cables inside the minnkota. So needless to say I always have spare trolling motor cables on the boat with me. Fortunately for us, we were able to salvage some fishing by going to the ranger dealership down the road and purchasing the exact cables that we needed.
The prop pins pictured here have been known to break also. Find out what size you need and have those on the boat with you. If something breaks it is good to have the tools and the replacements on the boat.
Pro tip: If you are working on the trolling motor then drive it to the shore. That way if you drop something it will fall on land and not in the water.
Also, make sure you have a spare trolling motor prop in case that breaks. Just the other day I went to lift my trolling motor up and snap the cable broke. There is a way to prepare that on the boat if the other part does not fall in the water. But now I carry a replacement just in case something like that happens again.
Now if you do not have a replacement there is a back-breaking way to deploy your trolling motor if you don’t want to stop fishing for the day. So just look up a youtube video and it will usually explain it there.
Fishing Equipment
Now that we have everything running smoothly on our boat and vehicle it is time to address our fishing equipment. I like to always put oil inside all my bait casters. If you need help with how to do that watch this little tutorial right here.
Also, make sure that you bring spare rods in case one of your rods break. Also, have a spare line in case something happens and you lose a bunch of line.
Whenever I go on a fishing trip I assume I won’t be able to buy anything where I am going. The last thing I want is to drive to Michigan from Georgia and run out of a color of tubes or ned rigs that the bass are loving.
Pro TIP: Do your research on what the best lures and colors are to use and stock up on those before you go. Make sure if you have to order something online you do it with plenty of time before your departure.
Fishing Apparel
I used to just put clothes on and go fishing. Short sleeves and no hats. Now as I have aged I have gotten a little wiser. If you get burned on day 1 then days 2,3,4 and 5 are going to be awful. I love the HUK gear long sleeves shirt hey are breathable and have SPF built in them so I dont get burned.
I also don’t leave home with out a hat, Costa Sunglasses , Neck Gaiter, and last but not least RAIN GEAR. Good Foul Weather gear like what I have pictured in good not only in the rain but also when it is cold. I will always have this in the boat with me.
Snacks
Make sure you stay hydrated on the water, Nothing works better than good old fashioned water. Have some healthy snacks to keep your energy level up. I remember one time I ate a bunch of Oreo’s out on the boat on a hot summer day and it made me feel awful.
License and Registration
Make sure you get the correct license for your situation. If you are out of state you have to choose Non-Resident which is usually a little more expensive. Also, make sure you put the correct date range in as well.
Do Your Research
When going to a new body of water is vital to do your research. Every year I go to Lake St. Clair on a fishing trip because I know I will have success and it is one of the best fisheries in the world in my opinion. The first year I went I did tons and tons of research. I watched Youtube videos that highlighted the species I was targeting and the time of the year as well. I read blogs and also looked at tournaments that were around the same time also so I could identify which baits to use. Get on Facebook groups and ask questions. I always like to ask about water levels and places to stay clear so I don’t run aground. Your Fishfinders won’t always update if there is a low water situation and that can get you in trouble quickly.
Know the Rules
If I am fishing in Lake Lanier, Lake Guntersville or Lake Chickamauga I can put a fish in the live well and take a group picture at the end of the day. However, if I go to lake St. Clair in early June I am not allowed to put any smallmouth bass in the well. Know the rules. Those Game wardens will see that you are from a different state and come check on you. I have had it happen several times. Know the size limit as well because it changes from lake to lake. Get in some facebook forums and ask questions and verify it online. Nothing will make a fishing trip turn sour like a big fat ticket.
Accommodations
Accommodations on a fishing trip can make things so much more convenient. If staying at a hotel I like to look at it on google earth and see if there is room for a boat and trailer. I also call to make sure they have outlets so I can charge my batteries at the end of the day. Or you can call your local marinas and see if you can rent a slip for the duration of the trip that has electric also.
In Venice, Louisiana we found out that we could rent a house on the water and pull our boat right up to the house at the end of the day. It makes the trip 10 times easier. This place comes equipped with an ice machine (which saves us about $60 a day) just by itself. We realized we had better accommodations and we were saving money.
You want to make sure that you have a short commute to the fishery that you are targeting so you can spend more time on the water and less time in the car.
Alright, guys and gals with all that being said here is a FISHING TRIP CHECKLIST:
BEFORE THE TRIP
Engine service on the boat
Vehicle service
Windshield wipers
Check lights on the boat trailer and vehicle
Have spare tires for trailer and check the air in tires
Check Batteries
Get spare prop and prop wrench
Get trolling motor prop pin
Trolling motor steering cables (there is 2 of them)
Spare trolling motor prop
Trolling motor cable for stowing and deploying
All fishing lures and extras need for the trip (assume you won’t find anything at destination)
Double-check accommodations
Do Lake research
FOR THE TRIP
Fishing rods and reels
Spare fishing rod
Cash
Boat cover (if you have one) Gives you better gas mileage and protects the stuff inside the boat
Spare credit card
Fishing license
Extension chord
A good jack for changing tires
Pliers
Scissors
Wire cutters
Net
Garlic Spray
Extra fishing line and leader line
Clothes
Hat
Sunglasses
Extra hat
Neck Gaiter
Sun Screen
Boat Keys
Extra boat keys
Shoes
Rain Gear
Phone Charger on Boat
Go Pro
Yolotek Power Stick
Snacks
Water
Insect repellant
Boat Registration
Good knife
Bags and Ice if you are keeping fish
Cooler
Toilet Paper or Baby Wipes
5-hour energy for Road trip or coffee
Travel on fishing trips with a friend
I hope this helps everyone guys and gals. Use this checklist on your next fishing trip and stay safe.
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