11-12-2012, 02:35 PM
Winterizing Your Gear, and Keeping The Industry Alive
Posted on November 10, 2012
1
The big blow that brings things to an end came, and winter is upon us. After such a strange year we all now know to stay at the ready, just in case something changes and we get that call saying “it’s time to go.” There are mistakes that can be made at this juncture, and I was the king of these mistakes when I was younger. We also have a marine industry that is crumbling around us and we need to pitch in to keep things alive so come springtime, we still have those resources around when we need them.
Back when I had my 18′ skiff “NO FEAR,” I would fish hard all winter looking for a seabass. By the time the 1st good bite got started I’d be out of the funds necessary to put a tank of fuel on the boat, and the repair list had grown to the point where it needed to be addressed. Instead of following in my footsteps, take the time to go through that list and brings things back up to “ready” condition. Springtime is not the time to be working on your boat, and neither is summer. Do it now, and make sure to buy your parts and pieces locally and support those in the So. Cal. area that might not make it through the winter.
Wax your boat with FLEETWAX and it will last all year. Just like XtraTuff boots came from the farming industry, FLEETWAX comes from industrial roots. Its designed to last a year (or longer) and is what is used on City Vehicles, tractors, Gas Company and SC Edison vehicles. It goes on easy and just wipes off, and is much less expensive that most other brands. Just like XtraTuff Boots, FLEETWAX can now be found in your local marine store. Don’t forget the trailer and be sure to repack/replace axle bearings, maintain or change brakes, and bring your trailer lights up to speed. Then tackle that list of boat repairs and upgrades you have in your head. Just be sure to buy all these things locally, as we are all in the same boat every winter.
The first Sportboat of this winter has called it quits, literally. The “Big Game 90″ has been put up for sale. Most likely this will not be the only one to call it quits, and we need to work together to help stop this from happening. If you feel the need to fish, look around and ask what boat is struggling and book a trip with them. Get your family and buddies together to have enough to get out. New regulations are now being set, including the rock cod depth change from 360′ to 300′, and new bass regulations that have the minimum size going from 12″ to 14″, and a mixed bag limit of 5 (combined bass species). These new regulations will hurt the sportboats bad, and they need our support to stay in business.
Whether you maintain your own tackle, rods, and reels, or you have the local tackle store do it, now is the time. Turn your spectra around, and an easy way to do this is simply wind it from one reel to another of the same size. You’ll need an empty reel get started, so now is a good time to go get that new reel you’ve been eyeballing. Fix drags and change bearings on reels now, and get those loose guides re-wrapped on your favorite rods. Organize your terminal tackle, and fill the empty spots with new hooks, leadheads, irons and plastics. Again, bring all your tackle to “ready” condition, so if that call comes in that the coastal seabass are biting, you can just go and not be scrambling to get things prepared.
Winters have always been tough for the So. Cal marine undustry. Its more important now than ever that we support our local fishing/marine businesses. Not only is the economy bad enough that when local the local tackle store closes the owner and employees will have a hard time finding work, but we will lose their voices in our struggles to keep the whole fishery from being shut down. We need every available voice these days when fighting the environmental forces that are trying to make fishing a crime. Help wherever you can by not buying things from out of the area online, and not shopping at “going out of business” sales. Shop at small tackle stores, and not WalMart or other large chains that don’t help us in our plight. You may pay a little more, but I think its worth it, don’t you?
When you get your boat all fixed up and “ready”, and all your tackle is in order for that first big seabass bite on the coast, don’t forget that we live in California and there are still things to do with your boat. Cleaned up, your fishing rig can double as a Christmas lights cruising vessel. Lobster hoop netting continues, and you may need some new warm clothes or hoop net supplies. Parking your boat is the worst thing you can do to it, so use it whenever the opportunity arrises. Maybe once this season you can stop by and fill up at the local fuel dock instead of the cheapest Arco station around. When the fuel docks start going belly up, things will get really bad. Dig deep, we all have a little extra to give.
Posted on November 10, 2012
1
The big blow that brings things to an end came, and winter is upon us. After such a strange year we all now know to stay at the ready, just in case something changes and we get that call saying “it’s time to go.” There are mistakes that can be made at this juncture, and I was the king of these mistakes when I was younger. We also have a marine industry that is crumbling around us and we need to pitch in to keep things alive so come springtime, we still have those resources around when we need them.
Back when I had my 18′ skiff “NO FEAR,” I would fish hard all winter looking for a seabass. By the time the 1st good bite got started I’d be out of the funds necessary to put a tank of fuel on the boat, and the repair list had grown to the point where it needed to be addressed. Instead of following in my footsteps, take the time to go through that list and brings things back up to “ready” condition. Springtime is not the time to be working on your boat, and neither is summer. Do it now, and make sure to buy your parts and pieces locally and support those in the So. Cal. area that might not make it through the winter.
Wax your boat with FLEETWAX and it will last all year. Just like XtraTuff boots came from the farming industry, FLEETWAX comes from industrial roots. Its designed to last a year (or longer) and is what is used on City Vehicles, tractors, Gas Company and SC Edison vehicles. It goes on easy and just wipes off, and is much less expensive that most other brands. Just like XtraTuff Boots, FLEETWAX can now be found in your local marine store. Don’t forget the trailer and be sure to repack/replace axle bearings, maintain or change brakes, and bring your trailer lights up to speed. Then tackle that list of boat repairs and upgrades you have in your head. Just be sure to buy all these things locally, as we are all in the same boat every winter.
The first Sportboat of this winter has called it quits, literally. The “Big Game 90″ has been put up for sale. Most likely this will not be the only one to call it quits, and we need to work together to help stop this from happening. If you feel the need to fish, look around and ask what boat is struggling and book a trip with them. Get your family and buddies together to have enough to get out. New regulations are now being set, including the rock cod depth change from 360′ to 300′, and new bass regulations that have the minimum size going from 12″ to 14″, and a mixed bag limit of 5 (combined bass species). These new regulations will hurt the sportboats bad, and they need our support to stay in business.
Whether you maintain your own tackle, rods, and reels, or you have the local tackle store do it, now is the time. Turn your spectra around, and an easy way to do this is simply wind it from one reel to another of the same size. You’ll need an empty reel get started, so now is a good time to go get that new reel you’ve been eyeballing. Fix drags and change bearings on reels now, and get those loose guides re-wrapped on your favorite rods. Organize your terminal tackle, and fill the empty spots with new hooks, leadheads, irons and plastics. Again, bring all your tackle to “ready” condition, so if that call comes in that the coastal seabass are biting, you can just go and not be scrambling to get things prepared.
Winters have always been tough for the So. Cal marine undustry. Its more important now than ever that we support our local fishing/marine businesses. Not only is the economy bad enough that when local the local tackle store closes the owner and employees will have a hard time finding work, but we will lose their voices in our struggles to keep the whole fishery from being shut down. We need every available voice these days when fighting the environmental forces that are trying to make fishing a crime. Help wherever you can by not buying things from out of the area online, and not shopping at “going out of business” sales. Shop at small tackle stores, and not WalMart or other large chains that don’t help us in our plight. You may pay a little more, but I think its worth it, don’t you?
When you get your boat all fixed up and “ready”, and all your tackle is in order for that first big seabass bite on the coast, don’t forget that we live in California and there are still things to do with your boat. Cleaned up, your fishing rig can double as a Christmas lights cruising vessel. Lobster hoop netting continues, and you may need some new warm clothes or hoop net supplies. Parking your boat is the worst thing you can do to it, so use it whenever the opportunity arrises. Maybe once this season you can stop by and fill up at the local fuel dock instead of the cheapest Arco station around. When the fuel docks start going belly up, things will get really bad. Dig deep, we all have a little extra to give.
