Mother Nature played havoc with this weekend charters, winds gusting to 44 mph made for unsafe boating conditions. Safe boating is not to be taken lightly, regular inspections of all onboard safety equipment is a good habit. Often overlooked is the first aid kit, shore and boat anglers' alike need to have a good kit. Inventory used items and ensure all ointments are not expired. The USCG website has a wealth of information on safety, regulations and boating in general www.uscg.mil .
Downtime while never fun is another time to catch up on basic maintenance. Cleaning and lubing reels is so very simple yet often overlooked, how will you feel when you drag fails to perform smoothly causing you to lose a prize fish. Boaters use the time to do basic maintenance such as changing the oil, fuel water filters, spark plugs etc. Count of our Florida weather to be excellent for many months to come meaning lots of days on the water and less time for simple maintenance, don't miss a great day of fishing because you didn't do the work now.
How often do you take time to sharpen hooks? How many hooks are in your tackle bag with rust on them? Remember the oyster beds you fished last time well I promise your hooks were dulled snagging oysters. If you take an occasional fish home for the dinner table are your knives super sharp to ensure you get that perfect filet.
Clean and inventory your tackle bag, don't get out on the water and find out you are out of your favorite MirrOlure's or DOA lures. Tampa Bay will be thick with Mackerel and Bonita, imagine running into a school blistering baits on the surface and you find you have no Clark spoons! You get the message, do your homework and maximize your fish catching.
For those of you who prefer to charter vs. doing all the work need to book now as to not get shut out for prime spring dates. While it may be easy to book during the winter springtime is another story. Captain Steven has had 7 requests for May 30 alone.
Captain Steven
