Check your trailer wheel bearings and avoid fishing delays

Area anglers are preparing their tackle and rods and reels for the productive fishing days ahead. Unfortunately, too often they neglect some of the most critical items that need attention in the spring, according to Mark Schmidt, vice president of Anglers Services for AnglersChannel.com.

“Most anglers have their rods and reels ready when they drop the boat in the water for the first spring fishing trip,” says Schmidt. “Then, they try to crank the boat and find their battery is dead, or they have a fuel leak. Fish are waiting and you can only bob around at the ramp. Not too good.”

Schmidt has a checklist of nine items he recommends every angler check before they leave home for that first fishing trip of the season.

- Electrical System. Make sure the battery is charged and that all connections are tight and corrosion-free

- Fuel System. Check fuel lines, hoses and pump primer bulb for wear and leakage, and make sure you have plenty of clean fuel

- Safety Equipment. Make sure you have required safety equipment for your boat, including flotation devices to fire extinguishers

- Cables. Check steering and throttle cables for wear and proper lubrication

- Oil and filters. Change oil and filters in four-stroke engines

- Impeller. Check impeller blade for wear

- Lights. Check all bulbs to ensure they are operational

- Plugs. Replace spark plugs and check your rubber drain plugs for rot and wear

- Trailer. Check all wheel bearings for wear and proper lubrication. If the grease is milky, repack the bearings. Check the trailer tongue, ball and receiver for wear

“Take a little time to run through this checklist before you launch and you’ll be out catching a sack of bass while other, less serious anglers have to fish from the dock.”

Located in Rock Hill, SC, Anglerschannel.com is the only membership-based website focused on freshwater fishing in the Carolinas and Georgia. Its mission is to provide the information that helps members catch more fish, and plan their trips more effectively.

About The Author:

Mark Harris is a successful author and regular contributor to http://www.bearing-n-bearings.com. Keep things running smoothly with ball bearings, roller bearings, ball thrust bearings and tapered bearings.