With April upon us, warming trends across the state of Texas will become the norm rather than the exception, so make sure you are ready to take full advantage of the coastal situation. Spring has sprung, and you may just find yourself wanting to spring into the fishing action with little notice the moment an opportunity arises. So, if you have not already done so, now is the time to get your fishing rig to your nearest authorized service dealer so they can address any of those necessary annual checkup items you may have been postponing all winter long. Generally speaking, outboard engine technicians are quite experienced at knowing what to look for during an annual inspection of your boat and its engine, but I’ve learned the hard way to never assume that they are going to check everything that I consider to be on my “important list”. That’s why I make it a point to spend a little extra time with them when I deliver my boat to them. I specifically ask them to replace the engine’s water pump impeller, any other water pump parts that may appear defective due to wear-and-tear, to drain the lower-unit of all its old lube oil and replace it with new oil, and to check and verify proper fluid levels for the hydraulic tilt-and-trim system.

I also request to have the engine’s spark plugs and plug wires replaced, regardless of whether they appear to need to be replaced, and I also ask to have a compression test performed following the installation of the new plugs and wires. And with the type of fuel we’re required to use these days, it’s extremely important to me to also have the guys at the shop check all the fuel lines and hoses, fuel filters, and fuel pump very closely.

Now, some of you may find that many of the items (if not all) I’ve mentioned are already included on a standard checklist that’s used by most outboard engine mechanics, but it never hurts to ask just to make sure. Certain other things, like some of the electrical items that are important to the proper functionality of your boat and its accessories, may not be included in your mechanic’s basic checklist. For this reason, I always ask that all electrical connections be inspected for the presence of corrosion, and that they be repaired or replaced if needed. I also like to have the solenoids for the hydraulic jack-plate checked, and if necessary, replaced. And, as usual, I also like to have the guys take a look at the bank of electrical fuses (mounted beneath the center console in my boat), and to make certain that the electrical lines and connections supporting all the running lights are in good shape and are ready for another hard year of fishing.

All of these items are things I consider to be of major importance to me when having my boat serviced, and can probably serve as a good starting point for you next time you take your boat to the shop. However, you should not consider my list to be all-inclusive of the things that you may wish to have your mechanic inspect on your boat, as circumstances surrounding every boat are different, and each person has their own preferences.

Once you’ve made sure that your boat and engine are both now ready to provide you with proper operation, there’s still one other major item that will often require some level of your time and attention as you attempt to prepare for the assurance of another uninterrupted and fun-filled season of fishing, and that’s the boat trailer. The total number of items making-up the trailer checklist is not great, so if you have the time, and you consider yourself to be somewhat mechanically-inclined, and you aren’t afraid of getting a little dirty, you can probably perform your own trailer inspection and do many (if not all) of any required repairs or replacements yourself – actions that can save you money. Check the wheel bearings for the proper amount of grease. Most all newer models of boat trailers now have “Bearing Buddies” which make the task of injecting grease into the wheel bearing hub quite simple and fast for the trailer owner.

Next, check the tires for the correct air pressure as specified by the tire manufacturer, as improper air inflation can cause your tires to wear incorrectly and possibly shorten the overall life of the tires.Inspect the tire tread using a penny by placing the penny between two of the treads with Lincoln’s head pointing downward. If you can still see the top of Lincoln’s head, it’s probably time for you to replace the tire.

Another, possibly more obvious, thing to inspect on the trailer is the trailer lights, making sure that they all illuminate as intended and that the brake lights and the turn signals are all functioning properly. If you happen to plug your trailer lights into your tow vehicle and absolutely none of the lights appear to be working, don’t panic just yet. This often occurs due to a simple “grounding” issue, so before running out to purchase a new set of trailer lights, check to see that the ground wire (usually white) on the trailer’s wiring system is making a good and secure “ground”connection to a metal portion of the trailer. A few last things for you to quickly check on the trailer are the trailer hitch, the tow chains, and the winch strap. Like I said, the trailer checklist is short, but it is a list that’s of equal importance when trying to ensure safe transport and worry-free travel as you drive to and from your fishing destinations throughout the upcoming year.

Keep in mind that you can always stay informed as to the latest that Bay Flats Lodge has to offer by simply signing-up on the website to receive your daily newsletter. Remember to practice CPR, “Catch, Photo, and Release”, whenever possible on trophy Trout and Reds…

Guide Chris Martin, Port O’Connor/Seadrift region. www.BayFlatsLodge.com 1-888-677-4868