Six essential trailerboat tips

Nothing makes me happier than getting home from work on Friday, knowing full well, that the next morning’s forecast is a light offshore with warm sunny skies, the tides are in my favour, and I’m heading out in my boat and going fishing!

Even after all my years of fishing I still get excited the night before hitting the big blue. With all the excitement and the thoughts of what the next day might entail, running through your head, it’s easy to forget that the smallest and most simple things can ruin your day's fishing.

Here’s a few very helpful hints, that if you practice religiously, should ensure that every day out in the boat will be smooth sailing and great fishing.

THE BIG SIX TIPS
>> Are you carrying the correct safety equipment? Safety is paramount when you are fishing by boat. Safety always comes first. Check your local water safety guides to make sure you are carrying the correct level of safety equipment and that everything is registered and in date. This may not only save you from copping a hefty fine from marine safety, but could also save your life!

>> Put your bungs in first! Don’t laugh, even I have forgotten to put the bungs in. Before you leave your home check your bung is secure and tightened, by rule of thumb I always keep a spare bung in my flare box and you should too.

>> How much fuel should you have on board? It is vital that you understand your engine and its fuel consumption. If not, work it out! Knowing how much fuel your engine uses on average allows you to work out how much you’ll need depending on the distance you are travelling. My best advice is to have a full tank every time you launch your boat.

>> Do my batteries have the power? The day before I’m due to take the boat out I’ll always give the motor a quick turn over just to make sure the batteries have enough juice.  I recommend having a trickle feed charger hooked up to your boat batteries whenever not in use and (if possible) run dual batteries! After all, two is always better than one.

>> Anchor maintenance. Because your anchor is probably the most durable and strong piece of equipment on your boat, it is often overlooked for simple wear and tear. By regularly checking your rope for fray and the D-shackles for looseness, you can save you a lot of time and money. Because as you know, there is nothing worse than not being able to sit right on top of your favourite fishing lump when the tide is running.

>> Trailer maintenance for dummies. Keep an eye out for severe rust, feel for excessively heated bearings and listen for squeaking/scratching wheels. Or, if you’re a bit like me, make sure you keep your trailer regularly serviced by a licenced mechanic. A few dollars in the short run can save you a lot of money in the long run. Remember, your trailer is the only thing that separates your pride and joy from the bitumen, so look after it!

If you value every second on the water as much as me then I recommend leaving your comfy chair, getting outside and running through these helpful hints right now. It won’t take long. Remember “a stitch in time, saves nine”.