By Capt. Raymond Griffin


By Capt. Raymond Griffin I don't know how everyone else feels about this cold weather, but me and my guides are tired of it! We have hunted duck, deer, moose and elk, now we are READY to get SET up for some spring time Reds and Specks and GO "catchin". somewhere down on the gulf coast! I want to offer you some tips about getting ready for those spring fishing trips that are just a short time away.

All of those rods and reels that have been sitting in your closet for the last few months need to be taken out now and and given a good once over. That new line you put on your reel for your last fishing trip, take it off and throw it away! Yep, even though you used it only once or twice it will have a lot of memory from being rolled up on that spool. It may have even started to dry rot a little. You don't want to get that 10 pound red on the line and hear that awful "ping" as your line snaps and you have another great story of the one that got away! Re-spool all of your gear now!

Your reels will also need a tune-up. For salt water fishermen, we all know much damage the salt can do. Open it up, rinse it out with some fresh water. and apply a generous portion of reel oil. If you're not sure how to do it or what to use go by and see our friends at Marks Outdoors, they have everything that you need. If you have some high dollar equipment and want to be sure that it's done right, just bring it in and let the experts take care of it for you.

Last, but not least, take the time to check out your rods. "What's to check?" you say. How about the line guides, you know those little holes on your rod that the line goes through, well they can get chipped or cracked from laying them in the boat or the back of your truck. Just take a piece of cotton and pass it through one of the eyes. If there is any crack or chip it will grab that piece of cotton. Imagine what it will do to your line! Then check the rod itself for hair line cracks or fractures. Over time even the best rods can break!

Now that you've got your rods, reels, and line ready, lets take a look at that tackle box. Take a look at each one of your salt water lures. Does the paint and color still look good or has it faded or gotten chipped up from all those fish you caught? Are the hooks starting to get a little bent or dull? Or is it time to just toss them and start over? Personally, if I spend the time and money to go chase those big fish, I want the best, brightest and sharpest lures in my box!
v I know what some of you are thinking. this guy is really picky. I have to tell you, I have seen it happen over and over again. People come down to our fishing lodge and bring their own gear and the first time they get a BIG fish on it breaks the line, the reel fails, the hook breaks or the rod snaps!

Take the time to get READY and you won't be sorry!

Well, now that you're READY, lets get "SET" to GO. When I say get SET, what I mean is planning your trip. If you're going down to the Gulf coast and fishing on your own, have you checked the latest tide and moon phases? salt water fish, more than any other fish are affected by those two things. Know before you GO! Have you called ahead to the area and gotten a recent fishing report? Do you have the latest charts for that area? Have the limits changed since last year, size or numbers? That's what I'm talking about when I say get SET to go!

If you're using a guide service like myself, it's time to book to get the best dates. If you have never used a guide, but are planning to use one this year, have you gotten references, do you know what is included in the trip and what you must bring yourself?

Once that you have covered these bases, you are SET! Now all you have to do is "GO" have a great time, catch plenty of fish, release what you're not going to eat and enjoy the great summer weather just around the corner. Next month I'll be giving you fishing reports from all along the Gulf coast, what's hot and what's not! Till next time, this is Capt. Raymond Griffin, down in the bayou country.

Griffin Fishing Charters www.neworleansfishintours.com 1-800-741-1340