By Bob Jensen

It’s here: Another season of open water fishing is here. Although a few lucky anglers have already hit the water, there are a good number of us looking forward to the first trip of the year. Here are some things you should do before you leave on that first fishing trip.

If you’re going to be fishing from a boat, the first thing you should do is check to make sure the plug is in place. In place means in the hole where it belongs in the back of the boat. It’s amazing how many anglers forget to put the plug in and don’t notice until the floor of the boat is covered with water. I’ve only forgotten a few times to put the plug in.

Make sure the line on your reels is fresh. It’s amazing again how many anglers worry about having the right lures, sharp hooks, fish location, and a host of other things, then go fishing with line that’s three years old. Your line is the only thing between you and the fish, make sure the line is good, also make sure your knot is good. If you’re going to be spooling up with a super-line, try the new FireLine Crystal. It’s got all the great FireLine characteristics, and it’s nearly invisible underwater.

If you’re going to be fishing near shore and wearing waders, make sure you’ve got that leak patched that you noticed the last time you wore your waders. A leaky pair of waders isn’t so bad in the summer, but they are no fun in the cold water of spring.

Make sure you bought a new fishing license!

Make sure you’re aware of any new fishing rules! New rules can be a hard one: It’s just plain tough to stay on top of all the new rules, but they are necessary if we want to continue to have top-notch fishing. For instance, the Iowa Great Lakes in the northwest corner of the state have a new slot limit for walleyes. It’s a great rule, but it’s going to goof some folks up.

If you’re fishing a lake with a slot limit, don’t push it. The rule in my boat is, a half inch is too close to keep. If the bottom end of the slot is seventeen inches and the walleye we just caught is anything over sixteen and a half, it’s going back.

Early in the year, the walleyes will often be shallow, and in very definite locations. It works best to anchor and cast to those fish. Don’t forget the anchor!

In other bodies of water, the fish will be shallow but spread out. It works well to cover water for these fish, but you’ll want to stay away from them to prevent spooking. Don’t forget the planer boards! The Off Shore planer boards with night-lights will put walleyes in the boat when they move shallow after the sun goes down.

That about covers all the things that I can remember not to forget on the first fishing trip of the year. Now I just hope that first trip comes along pretty soon.