• Protecting Fishing, Today and Tomorrow
• Ambassador Spotlight
• A Handy Checklist for Spring Boat Preparation
• Fishing the Gulf States

Conservation

Protecting Fishing, Today and Tomorrow

There are lots of ways to give back to the sport you love. Did you know that part of the money you spend on boating and fishing gear goes back to the resource? Take a closer look at how that money is being put to work.

The first way you contribute is by purchasing your fishing license. Proceeds from license sales help fund state efforts to protect fishing waterways, stock hatchery fish, provide aquatic resource education studies, construct boat ramps and many other programs to preserve the sport of fishing and boating.

The second way you contribute is by purchasing fishing tackle (and who doesn’t love that?). Excise taxes and import duties are collected on sport fishing equipment, as well as motorboat and small engine fuels. These funds go to a federal program (Sport Fish Restoration Fund), and are redistributed to each state based on a formula of license sales and land/water area. With 25 percent additional money matched separately from each state, these dollars are used to fund fishing education (aquatic information and fishing skills); fish habitat protection; fish restoration; scientific studies; and fishing and boating access of docks, piers, reefs and boat ramps.

A third way that your money helps preserve the sport of fishing is through the National Fish Habitat Action Plan. This 2008 consortium of federal, state and private groups works to help regional areas preserve fisheries and fish habitats. Perhaps you belong to a club or group that can get involved with this program of long-term fish protection.

And if that’s not enough, you can get even more involved locally by calling your state fish and wildlife agency. They have a variety of volunteer programs by which anglers and outdoor enthusiasts can lend a hand. You can help by stocking fish, participating in angler surveys, teaching fishing skills, surveying fish habitats, and maintaining and helping improve waterways.

As you can see, there are lots of ways to give back to the sport that has given you so much. Learn more about opportunities in your state.

Ambassador Spotlight

Steve Shook from the Take Me Fishing Center at the New Orleans Boat Show (2008)

Kathy Magers from the Take Me Fishing Center at the San Diego Boat Show (2008)

Tommy and Eric Pellegrin from the Take Me Fishing Center at the New Orleans Boat Show (2008)

Tips & Tidbits

A Handy Checklist for Spring Boat Preparation

“A bad day fishing is better than a good day at work.” To avid anglers, no statement rings more true. That is, unless your boat won’t fire up at the public launch on opening day, or stalls out in the middle of the lake as a storm approaches. Then you just might wish you were back at work.

Whether you own a john boat, deep-V, fish-n-ski, or high-performance pro tournament boat, spring is the time to make sure it will start fast, run smooth and perform at peak “e-fish-ency.”

To help get you started, here is a checklist to prepare your boat for the upcoming fishing season. Because there are so many different types of fishing boats, be sure to also refer to the owner’s manuals for your boat, engine and trailer regarding additional maintenance tips and proper service intervals.

Safety First!

• Ropes: untangle, check condition, replace if necessary.
• Fire extinguisher: make sure it's the right class, fully charged and easily accessible.
• Life jackets and throwable devices: double-check to make sure you have the right type, size and number of wearable and throwable personal flotation devices on board (check your state’s boating regulations).
• First-aid kit: replace used items, store for easy access.
• Documents: be sure your boat and trailer licenses and registrations are up to date.

Exterior

• Hull: clean and inspect; check aluminum for pitting, cracks, crevice corrosion and missing rivets; check fiberglass for blisters; inspect transducers and through-hull fittings. Make repairs as needed. Put a fresh coat of wax on gel coat.
• Propeller: inspect for loose shaft, broken cotter pin, cracks and dings.
• Zincs (sacrificial anodes): check and replace if worn out to prevent galvanic corrosion.
• Hardware: check and tighten cleats, chocks, eyes, anchor, ladder, etc.
• Drain plugs: check rubber seals for cracks.

Interior

• Vinyl: Check for mildew, clean with marine cleaner or small amount of ammonia.
• Carpet: Clean with vacuum or power sprayer and wet/dry vacuum.
• Bilge: Clean out scum and oil with marine bilge cleaner and wet/dry vacuum.
• Livewells: clean with nontoxic, biodegradable bilge cleaner, rinse thoroughly.
• Chrome: remove any tarnish and polish all chrome trim.

Electrical System and Components

• Battery: check water level, clean and lubricate terminals, charge, connect and check under load. Do same for trolling motor battery.
• Wiring: Inspect all boat wiring, including lights, repair frays and breaks.
• Lights and gauges: check for proper operation, have spare bulbs onboard.
• Fish finder, GPS, other electronics: reinstall if necessary, clean connections, check for proper operation, update mapping as needed.

Outboards and Stern Drives

• Oil and oil filter: change if not done during winterization.
• Spark plugs and plug wires: check and replace as needed.
• Gear lube: check for proper level, make sure it has no water in it.
• Fuel filters: check and change as needed.
• Hoses and clamps: check and replace as needed.
• Fuel: check fuel tank, fuel lines and fuel level; replace primer bulb if cracked; add quality fuel stabilizer.
• Fluids: check levels for engine oil, power steering, power trim.
• Water intake strainer: check, remove any obstruction.
• Bilge pump: check for proper operation.

Inboard Engines

• Cooling system: check and change coolant as needed, store extra onboard.
• Belts: check for tension and condition.
• Transmission: check fluid level, see owner's manual for replacement schedule.
• Backfire flame arrestor: check and clean.
• Engine shaft and rudder stuffing boxes: check for looseness.

Trailer

• Tires: inflate to proper pressure, replace if low tread or cracked sidewalls.
• Rollers and pads: check, repair as needed.
• Brakes: pull wheels, inspect/repair.
• Bearings: repack bearings and hubs.
• Tongue jack and winch: clean, inspect and lubricate.
• Lights: inspect brakes, turn signals; repair as needed.

And finally, the single most important tip for your pre launch boat preparation: remember to put the drain plug in. You don’t want to get that sinking feeling at the public launch...it happens!

Once you’ve got the boat ready, you can move on to the next item on your pre season checklist: cleaning, repairing and organizing your rods, reels and tackle. But that’s another story.

Hot Spots

Fishing the Gulf States

You can fish a lifetime and not exhaust freshwater and saltwater possibilities in the five Gulf states. And best of all, the upcoming spring season is one of the greatest times to fish the region. Here’s a brief rundown of which fish are biting, where to find them and how to catch them.

Freshwater fishing in the Gulf States breaks down to the big four: largemouth bass, catfish, crappie and sunfish (bream). Big impoundments are best for largemouth. Live, free-swimming shiners or shiners fished on a bobber will bring in the biggest bass. As for lures, try spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, shallow crankbaits and soft plastics. Check out these lakes: Sam Rayburn (Texas), Toledo Bend (Texas/Louisiana), Ross Barnett (Mississippi), Guntersville (Alabama) and Lake Tohopekaliga (Florida).

If catfish is your thing (blues, flathead, channel cats and bullheads), they’re popular in many impoundments and most large river systems throughout the Gulf. Large minnows or cut bait are the favorite offering.

Crappie are ideal for spring spawn fishing, and are found in both lakes and rivers. They will hit on anything from light jigs to small minnows fished under a bobber. Try using these lures near brush piles for best results. To catch bream, fish structure or weeds and use meal worms, wigglers, tiny jigs and poppers (you won’t be disappointed).

If you are going to leave freshwater behind, there are plenty of saltwater options. Saltwater spring fishing often peaks around this time with sea trout taken on live or dead shrimp. A popping or rattling cork with jigs is a good lure alternative. The best areas are all along the coast, with Texas, Florida and Louisiana the most highly rated.

Redfish (red drum) are also biting throughout these areas, with the best fishing for both reds and sea trout in the saltier areas of bays and marshes…where they spawn. Try hitting grassy marshes on a low tide; they hold the most, and often the biggest redfish.

So, now you know more about what’s biting in the Gulf States and where to catch them. The only question is: when and where are you going to head out on the water? Find hot spots in your area.