Make the most of the Winter down time doing preventative maintenance on equipment.
Rods Check the line guides using old pantyhose run through the guides, if there is a nick, you'll know it before you break some line with a big fish on. Lubricate the roller tips with a silicone based lube. Use an old toothbrush with abrasive soap to scrub reel seats and rod grips.
Reels Remove old mono and replace at least 3/4 of the spool capacity. If using braid, take the old braid off by retrieving it onto spare spool, then you have new unused braid on top of spare. I have several spools of 50 lb braid that I use among several reels, I swap them around using this method and extend the life of the line. Replace the non-metal drags and buff the metal ones, lube the shaft hole and spring on the spool. Check the bail spring and roller, use silicone based lube on roller if needed. Remove side plate or handle, lubricate well with reel grease.
Artificial Lures Replace or sharpen hooks, consider replacing treble hooks with J-hooks especially on deep running plugs. Inspect hook split rings and add a ball bearing swivel to the nose split ring.
Boat Hand tighten screws and nuts, vibrations usually loosen some, consider using marine-tex if some don't tighten. Inspect the wiring panel for corrosion and loose connections, add colored shrink wrap to identify components. Remove battery's and clean all connections, add a grounding post to add multiple plug-in grounds to negative terminal. Use "rust away" or diluted muratic acid to spray hull below water line to remove stains, rinse well and spray wax.
Motor Remove prop, inspect shaft and hub, lube well and add new pin. Drain lower unit, inspect old oil for water or metal. Inspect gas filters, replace water/fuel separator and inspect gas bulb. Top off fuel tanks and add "sea foam" or "sta-bil".
