Well, I'm a big fan of the Promar net that Rob turned me onto. I think its a halibut net. Just a good way to insure you boat your fish, and aren't messing around trying to lip a giant at the side of your boat. I always have my big net with me.

Hook sharpeners...I have a couple of hook sharpeners I find myself using almost every trip to touch up hooks that get dull or the point gets bent due to smacking rocks or docks or wood or even in fishes mouthes. I change hooks often but also sharpen some hooks too.

Hand Towel: I try to always have a fresh and clean hand towel in my glove box. I use it to dry my hands after messing with a fish, and also comes in handy to clean your hands after applying sunscreen. I hate slippery hands when trying to grip a rod. As well, I clean my sunglasses often, its amazing how a quick cleaning can help you see clearer again...everytime you run the big motor, chances are your glasses get a mist or spray on them.

Thermos: I drink coffee at 3pm somedays...just like to be alert, awake and have a nice warm drink in the cold winter.

Hand warmers: those chemically activated hand warmers are a god send. I put them in my gloves on the really cold days, and they make a huge difference to get your fingertips warm, on the days when your fingers hurt. I think you can get two of them for a buck, so I stock up and use them a lot in the winter. I put them flat in the palm of my glove and they don't impair my fishing too badly.

Beanie/Boliclava(sp?): Having something warm for your face and head in the cold is key. Especially when running the big motor. Just makes you more comfortable to focus on catching the big one, vs. being cold and uncomfortable.

Belt: Don't let your pants or hard weather gear sag on you and cause you to trip on yourself or otherwise be a nuisance. Wear a belt.

Bluegrass: I highly recommend Bill Monroe while getting your boat and gear ready to launch in the cold winter mornings. Do a little buck dancing in the parking lot while your getting ready...gets the blood flowing. Wheel Horse, Roanoke and Kentucky Waltz should do it.

Maps: Have multiple maps of the same lake. Have google earth print outs. Have your maps and pen in arms reach. I love studying my maps, reviewing and comparing the different map makers of a same lake. You will find HUGE differences in map makers.

Clothes: bring some gear you want to take pictures in. Its no accident I have my tacklewarehouse.com gear in my boat...or Bassaholics gear in my boat. These companies support me and I do my best to get some air time for them. Good pictures with big fish are priceless. They are shared amongst us all and serve as good marketing media. You never know when you're gonna get that big fish or lake record or whatever, so its best to, as my man Rob once told me his baseball coach told him, "Look Good, in case you are Good!"
And its a must to have a change of clothes, towel, shorts, etc in your boat, in case the weather changes...OR....you fall in the lake. I've done it...3 times over the years. Once in 48 degree water. Have a change of clothes and towel to dry off. It could save your life.

Spare keys: spare truck keys and spare boat keys.....in your boat.



OK, maybe went a little overboard here, but preparation and committment is key to fishing, and HUGELY important to success in throwing the bigbaits.

MP