Inside Out Outdoors

The unusually warm temperatures (yes, even down here in the South it is way above normal!) this winter have me itching to get out on the water while I am home next week and catch some of those largemouths I hear are biting as if it isn't February 2nd.  Before doing so however, I have got to go through my fishing equipment and, most importantly,  give my boat a look over.  That being said, I just wanted to share some tips for preparation this year, just in case you haven't been lucky enough to have already been out on your favorite lake.

• Strip your reels, give them a good cleaning, re-oil and lube moving parts and re-spool with fresh line.
  
• Check your rods for cracks and broken eyes.
• Give your lures a look over to see which ones need new hooks, split rings or a touch-up with a paint pen or brush.
• Sharpen any dull hooks you may find (or just create some sort of excuse to buy new ones like I always seem to do)
• Organize all your tackle.  Yes, no matter how much you think you can keep it organized while out fishing, something gets misplaced somewhere it shouldn't be.
• Give your boat hull a good look over to make sure there is nothing structurally wrong with it.
• Charge all your batteries and make sure they work!
• Check all boat wiring to make sure nothing is loose.
• Top off the oil in your boat motor and check spark plugs to make sure none are fouled.
• Lube boat motor where it calls for it i.e. pinon shaft, prop shaft, etc.
• Check and replace propeller and blade on trolling motor if needed.
• Make sure all electronics, as well as you trolling motor, are working properly.
• Hook your motor up to the water hose to make sure she fires right up without any issues. (Believe me, sitting at the dock trying to get your boat to start after launching it is no fun)
• Lastly, give your boat a much needed cleaning, top her off with gas and some Stabil ethanol treatment then head out to your favorite lake for some pre-spawn action.

-C.B.

Well, I've been saying that there would be video blogs ever since the first blog post.  We have finally reached that point in time now, as the video below gives you a look at what I carry in my turkey vest every Spring. 

-C.B.

I am going to deviate a little with this post and focus on something we all need reminding about:  Doing things to stay healthy and take care of ourselves.  It may not be something you care to think about, but keeping ourselves in shape and protected against the elements is a key component to making sure we can enjoy our love of the outdoors for years to come.

"Let me guess, you're going to tell me I need to eat better and be more active?"  Well, yes, that is very important to maintaining health and our active lifestyles.  Don't believe me?  Sit around on the couch for a month in your free time, eat all junk food and strap a 50 pound pack on your back.  Now go for just a mile-walk up a moderately sloped trail.  Not as easy as it was a month ago was it?  But that is not what this "soap box" is about, it's about the other things we often don't think about.  Take for example carrying bug spray with you on summer camping trip.  Sure it may not be life or death, but dealing with horse flies and mosquitoes most likely will a) leave you covered in bug bites, b) itch and c) make you cut your trip short.

"But I eat healthy, workout 5 times a week and am always prepared!"  While that may be true, I bet I can think of one thing that 90% of the people reading this forget to do or don't think about doing until it is too late.  Can you guess what that is?  No, it's not carry a jacket, though that will help keep you dry and fight off a "summer" cold when ever a thunderstorm pops up while out in the middle of the woods or on the lake.  One word:  Sunscreen.  I am as guilty as the next person about not putting any on while out fishing or waiting until I am already getting sun burnt to put it on.  Skin cancer is a growing concern in the world and something that can easily be prevented with the simple use of one product.  You can also use clothes to protect you from the sun and as long as they are not dark colored, you won't overheat (which is another point - be sure to take frequent breaks to cool off when the summer heat arrives).  And be sure to apply that sunscreen on your ears, face and back of the hands too, as these are all places most of us overlook when applying it.

A few other quick hitting tips are: 

1. If you are going to be heading up high into the mountains for any type of activity, be sure to acclimate to the altitude before hitting the trail or chasing after big game.
2. Successful hunting in the mountains often comes down to how prepared the hunter is.  Often times endurance is the root of bad experiences for this type of hunting and being in shape is a key component to enjoying hunting in this type of terrain.  Preparing for your trip weeks/months in advance by doing daily hikes up any type of hill, especially with a heavy pack, will help you with your endurance as well as strengthen your legs, knees and core - plus you'll lose some weight, get in shape and have the women (or men if you are a woman) turning their heads.
3. Drink plenty of water, even if you aren't thirsty and especially in hot weather.  It's better to have to use the bathroom a lot than being dehydrated.

Hopefully the things I have spoke of above will pop into your head prior to or during your next adventure in the outdoors.  Remember, the only way we can continue to enjoy what we do is to make sure that we still have a body capable of doing it.

-C.B.