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Experience has taught me that hooking “the big one” is only half the battle. Landing the fish of our dreams is a whole other story, and undoubtedly we’ve all got tales to relate of the big one that got away. Often the variables are beyond our control, or simply bad luck that conspire to shatter our dreams of grandeur. One thing we do have control of, however, is the condition of our equipment. Pay it no heed and it will surely let you down at the worst possible moment. A little care and attention goes a long way to allowing you to focus on fighting your fish without fear of equipment failure. You’ve heard it before, but its importance can’t be overstated:
- Replace your line regularly, checking often for nicks and cuts that could weaken your only connection to a fish;
- Be fastidious about tying, and checking, your knots;
- Sharpen your hooks regularly, a quick touch up now and then provides confidence throughout the fishing day;
- Set your drag before you start the days fishing – playing with it after you’ve got a fish on can be a recipe for disaster;
- Clean your rods and reels after each day on the water, with an eye to ensuring that everything is functioning as designed. Watch for, and repair, nicks to your rod guides. As with most mechanical devices, reels work best when they’re properly maintained. Follow the instructions provided when you purchased your reel and you should seldom have a problem.
