Prep Your Boat for Northern Spring Fishing

The nation's northern anglers usually spend late winter anticipating “ice out,” when the water on their favorite lakes thins out and opens enough to launch boats. If you're one, you know waiting for ice to melt is kind of like watching water boil. It’s a real test of patience, and this one will have you crying out for the spring in the north.

The bonus of living in the upper states is a multi-species smorgasbord of smallmouth, largemouth, walleye, muskie and other game fish. Those can be caught using a variety of methods, from live bait to lures, and from trolling to casting. Taking inventory, upgrading and replacing tackle while waiting for ice to thaw is part of the fun. The annual ritual also means preparing boats, gear, and trailers for the fishing seasons to come.

Routine and preventative maintenance of the boat, motor, trailer and even tow vehicle are other tasks needing attention. Most are DIY projects, while others are best handled by the experts, like those you find at a Bass Pro Shops/Cabela’s Power Pros Centers.

Matt Ness, market general manager of the Shakopee TRACKER Boating Center, is an avid angler and boater like his colleagues at the location near Minneapolis. Here are some of his recommendations for preparing a boat, motor and trailer for the spring season and beyond. We’ve added a few fun lure and tackle prep tips as a bonus.

“Ideally, we recommend scheduled and preventive maintenance in the fall,” said Ness. “The benefits are the boat is ready to use the following spring, without worry of a mechanical issue spoiling your first trip to the lake.”

If you missed that opportunity, then here are tasks that should be considered to prevent problems later on, or sooner.

Today’s fuel efficient, performance designed four stroke outboards require extra care with the oil and filter. The combustion process creates contaminants that are removed by the oil filter. Moisture buildup can cause excessive wear, which can lead to loss of power, poor fuel economy and possible engine failure. Use an oil and filter change kit recommended by the manufacturer. Everything you need for the job is inside the box: oil, the oil filter, drain seal plug and complete instructions.

Ness says to change the fuel filter after every boating season, especially when using 10% ethanol fuel most common throughout the nation. Ideally, filters should be replaced every fifty hours of engine operation.  Removing the filter, dumping the fuel and reinstalling it is ill advised. Captured debris and water could enter the “clean” side of the filter, and be released into your fuel system.

Inspect the batteries, remove any corrosion, and charge them before reinstalling in the boat. Take this tip from Ness seriously if your boat has a high-thrust trolling motor and more than one electronic graph.

“Multispecies boats and bass rigs draw a lot more amps from deep cycle batteries because of the electronics,” Ness said. “Multiple graphs at the bow and console need consistent amps throughout a long day, so maintaining load is a must.”

The charger light indicator might glow green, but the amperage might not be adequate for the job. Loading maps, dropping waypoints and other tasks might slow without enough juice. Ness suggests bringing the boat to the boating center for a load test, which can reveal any hidden issues with batteries.

What is more, Ness suggests replacing battery post wing nuts with bolts, which provide a more tight, secure fit for wiring.

“The new fuel injection motors are very susceptible to poor operation in low voltage, and oftentimes the engine won’t start due to a loose connection,” he said. “It’s easy to blame the motor, when it’s something so easy as that.”

If you've never changed your outboard's gearcase lube before, no worries. It only takes some basic tools and around 10 minutes of your time to change the lower unit oil of a Mercury outboard. Follow the manufacturer’s step-by-step instructions, with these suggestions added by Ness.

“When draining the oil, watch for signs of water or milky gear lube,” he said. “if you find it, there might be a leaking seal.”

Long-term that can cause significant damage, and Ness recommends bringing the boat in for service at the boating center should you discover evidence of water in the oil.

Inspect the prop for any damage to the blades. Remove the prop and inspect for any debris that collected around the shaft, such as fishing line. Apply a small amount of marine bearing grease on the shaft before remounting and tightening.

Inspect the trailer for any wear and tear, and especially the tires. Trailer tires can develop a flat spot when parked for extended periods during winter. Flat spotting occurs where the tire’s footprint is pressed against the ground. Normal driving under warm conditions usually smooths out the spot, but consult the dealer if the problem persists. Also inspect the bearings for adequate grease. Check the winch strap for excessive wear. Inspect wiring for frayed or broken connections, and test the brake and turn signal lights for proper operation.

Updates might be available for your electronic graphs, so check the manufacturer’s website for status. Check any external transducers for damage, and make sure bolts are firmly tightened to mounting brackets.

Here’s a fun task that can put more and bigger fish on your line. Go through your lures and remove any that are unfit for duty. That can be a cracked lip on a crankbait, a twisted spinnerbait arm, dull treble hooks or other imperfections that prevent the lure from running properly. The empty spaces in your tackle storage boxes can be filled with upgraded, newer baits from Bass Pro Shops or Cabela’s.

Here’s a fun task that can put more and bigger fish on your line. Go through your lures and remove any that are unfit for duty. That can be a cracked lip on a crankbait, a twisted spinnerbait arm, dull treble hooks or other imperfections that prevent the lure from running properly. The empty spaces in your tackle storage boxes can be filled with upgraded, newer baits from Bass Pro Shops or Cabela’s.

Grime and sunscreen can accumulate on reel cases during the season. Spray them lightly with WD-40 and wipe clean with a microfiber cloth. Then, follow the instructions inside the user’s manual for parts needing lubrication. Apply reel oil and grease according to directions and then reassemble. Reels are expensive and need maintaining, just like any moving part on your boat.

Winter is nearing an end! How many times during the cold season did you think of warm sunshine on the water? What about prepping your boat for coming season? Luckily we have useful tips for jumping right into spring boating prep!

When waves and wind roughen the surface on wide-open lakes, it’s hard to beat a Deep V aluminum boat. These lightweight rigs are equally at home in shallow water, too, making Deep Vs the ideal choice for anglers seeking versatility and value in a boat.