Packing for Success
Being organized, and prepared will help you land the "big one"
"Reprinted with permission from PIKE & MUSKIE Magazine, copyright 1999"

When you go fishing, do you know exactly what you are going to bring? Maybe you already have everything in your boat, or maybe you have a list, or an area of your house where all of your "gear" is stowed? Well if you do not, you’re setting yourself up to miss a big one. We have all forgotten the net once, or some other crucial piece of equipment. Don’t do it again!

The guide, the professional, and the successful fisherman know their equipment inside and out and knows where it is. At 4am in the morning, or 9pm at night in the dark you should be able to pack your boat, truck or trailer practically without thinking, and practically without a flashlight.

And when you are on the water, you should be able to grab your net, your camera, or cut your motor without even looking. Keep your camera in a memorized location as well. You do not want to delay the release any more than possible.

Packing in an organized manner will allow you to pack quickly and spend more time out on the water. It will also allow you to unpack quickly, so you spend more time watching sports, yard work or whatever else you do in your spare time.

More than once I have been packing for a fishing trip, and realized immediately that someone had moved my soft-sided cooler, or my boots. Because my packing routine was broken (I remembered my wife had borrowed my cooler) I tracked it down, and did not forget it.

In your boat you should be just as organized. Guides and professionals are - because they need to be. Their success, and livelihood depends on it. Being organized helps them boat more fish. And boating more fish means winning tournaments. For a guide it means happy customers, and customers that return or refer their service to others. 

To a weekend fisherman it means enjoying the time on the lake, and getting the big one in the boat. Overall it means a pleasant, successful fishing trip.

I would suggest if you do not already have a plan for packing your boat, and organizing your equipment on board, do so soon before you lose your trophy fish of a lifetime. What is it the boyscouts say "...be prepared..."!

Either keep everything in your boat, which is easy if it’s in a dry safe location, or pick a spot in your garage or basement to keep your valuable equipment. 

Your boat should be laid out logically. It will probably vary depending on if you’re fishing by yourself, or with a bud. But regardless, the essentials should all be within easy reach. 

Practice catching the big one (really), close your eyes and try it - or sit in your boat and try it - it will ensure you actually do. 

" Originally printed in PIKE & MUSKIE Magazine at www.pikeandmuskie.com "