BULLET-PROOF YOUR FISHING

I am always looking for ways too improve not only how I fish, but also to improve my systems so that nothing impedes my ability to fish. In my youth I survived many an ill planned adventure with minor inconveniences really, with complete disaster being closer than I would have liked. These minor inconveniences include sinking my Hilux in the river (but we still managed to get the boat in and go fishing) and worrying about how to get it out later. Losing a wheel off the trailer at 100km/h, and waking one freezing morning to find my boat barely afloat in the middle of Blowering Dam after the dam had risen due to the pouring rain and we had left the bungs out. But in spite of all these problems I have never been completely stuck.

When my Hilux was in the river, I jogged 8km in workboots to find the most hung-over farmer in the world who dragged my ute out with his tractor. When I lost the wheel, we merely unpacked the boat and tied it on the roof racks and then secured what was left of the trailer on top of the boat. The sinking boat in Blowering was solved by driving into the nearest town and hiring a canoe to paddle out and rescue the stricken vessel. In each instance I lost a couple of hours fishing at most and continued on my way somewhat wiser.

In my guiding business a breakdown, a bogging, or some other issue would spell disaster. People expect an easy day and I have taken steps to make sure that no matter what happens I have a ‘get out of jail free card’ so that each trip goes without a hitch. I will list a few of the things that I have done to make sure that my fishing isn’t stopped by unforeseen circumstances.

Car Preparation

• Get your vehicle serviced at regular intervals
• Make sure your tyres are good quality and that your spare is at the correct pressure
• If you don’t have a second battery system fitted, then carry a ‘jump starter’ pack in case of a flat battery
• Carry a way to inflate a tyre (either small compressor or pressure pack)
• Carry a wheel brace
• Make sure your jack will lift your car and you know where the lifting points are on your vehicle
• Ensure your towbar & towball aren’t worn or damaged
• Carry a tool kit, including a big shifter.
• Have a torch in the vehicle
• Cable ties and electrical or duct tape

Trailer

• Fit light truck tyres – end of story.
• Fit bearing buddies (also carry a spare in case one falls off)
• Fit LED lights
• Check winch post for cracks and strengthen if necessary
• Ensure rollers roll and that skids have no protruding rivets or screws.
• Repack wheel bearings annually and change at the first sign of noise (jack up trailer and spin wheel – should be almost silent)
• Carry spare bearings and wheel studs/nuts
• Fit your spare wheel to the draw bar so you can retrieve your boat in wet conditions (this also gives you a spare hub, bearings, studs and nuts).
• Check winch strap/cable and also wear in the winch itself. Replace either or both at the first sign of wear as it hard to get a boat on a trailer if the winch self destructs.
• Check axle to see if it’s bent (put straight edge on top). Replace with a heavier axle if necessary as a bent or flexing axle will ruin your tyres.
• Check nuts on U bolts. Add an extra nut on each as a lock.
• Don’t overload your boat on trips. Add light items such as swags.

Boat

• If you have an electric start engine only, make sure you have tools to remove the fly wheel cover and a rope to be able to pull start the engine.
• Spare pull start rope.
• Tool kit, again including a big shifter and also a spark plug remover.
• Torch
• If your boat has two batteries, make sure you have them wired so that either battery can start the engine (or carry jumper leads).
• Fit isolation switches so that at the end of the day your batteries are turned off.
• Eliminate clutter by storing items correctly.
• Check fuel line for signs of cracking. Fuel lines and bulbs split so replace when they become ‘stiff’.
• Carry spare fuses for all fused accessories in your boat
• Use fresh fuel on each trip
• Have your boat serviced regularly
• Change your impellor annually – regardless of hours of use
• Check battery terminals for signs of corrosion (major reason for engine not starting).

Recovery Gear

• Snatch strap for pulling vehicles from bogs
• 20m tow strap – to remote launch and retrieve your boat
• Winch – either hand or bull bar mount
• Winch cable – at least 20m
• Tree trunk protector
• Gloves
• D Shackles
• Ropes
• Shovel

As fisherman we end up in some very remote areas and help can be a long way away. It’s best to be prepared for the worst. Other things to consider when you are fishing are the weather, launch and retrieve conditions, tides (if you’re into the salt water thing!), and also to leave enough light to travel back to the ramp so you can see. A spotlight only shows so much and travelling in the dark is hazardous.

Above all – take it easy and don’t stress. Things will go wrong, but if you have taken a few precautions you will be able to get out with a minimum of fuss and either continue fishing or get home to the family. If all else fails, ring a couple of mates as most people get a great sense of satisfaction by helping someone out of a sticky situation.

© Jamin Forbes October 2008