The 5 P’s

Barra season is upon us and if you are a barra tragic like the Top Dog and I, then is likely your gear would have been forgotten about or neglected during the closed season. Because if you can’t chase barra, then there is nothing else worth chasing, right?
It’s funny that an angler will place so much emphasis on tackle prep and maintenance, but rarely pay the same attention to their boat or trailer, their number one tool. So that said, instead of running you through the same run of the mill barra season opening spiel focusing on ‘what lure to run’ or ‘rod and real to use’, I'm going to gives you a heads up on things you need to check on your tub to prevent disaster prior to casting a lure or soaking a bait come 1p.m. February 1^st .

Trailer

I'll begin with the trailer.  Considering this thing spends a considerable amount of time in the drink, you'd think that it’d be the most cared for.  Unfortunately not!  It’s essential that you poke your head underneath and have a good look for cancerous rust. When I say cancerous, I mean rust that has set in and began to eat away at the steel in your trailer. 

The best thing to do is inspect all of your battery terminals for green corrosion.  If it’s evident, remove the terminals and take to them with a wire brush cleaning them up back to bare metal.  Poor earth is the number one cause of electronics problems, so its important to have a good, clean earth and that starts at the battery terminal.

Electronics are a necessary evil. They hate salt,  but we'd be lost without them.  Make sure prior to seeing of your battery terminals are clean of corrosion and you maintain a good earth.

Sounder Plugs

With the fast paced advances in sonar technology, we have become very dependant on sounders and most would struggle to throw or troll an Old Dog through a likely area without one.  So being part of the boat electronics, corrosion is the leading killer of sounders.

So prior to setting off to bang you first barra for the season, check all of your sounder plugs.  Give them a spray and make sure a good connection is going to be made when plugged in! 
After all its opening of barra season, it’s life’s or death...

These cables give life to your depth sounder, without them its lifeless.  Sounders have become a fundamental part of fishing these days and without it most are lost.

Electric Motor

I have seen it and experienced it more times than I'd like to admit.  You get on the water, into position and hit the tit to start the electric motor and it doesn't work.  All of a sudden you feel like you're back in the Jurassic age of luring and the world has fallen down on you, fishing seems impossible. 

Again we have become so reliant on them that they have become an essential, so there are few things you should check prior to leaving the carport.

1. Batteries are charged.  Who hasn't done it?  In the week building up, put a good quality smart charger on the batteries or battery and charge them, you'll thank me later.
2. The remote battery is not flat?  I always advise a spare battery in a dry storage box of the boat, but check the one that is in the remote too.  It’s simple, but overlooked by ‘everyone’.
3. Test the remote and electric while on Terra Firma.  It’s works on land, she'll work when it matters. On the water!

We have all done it,  got on the water dropped the electric motor and NOTHING....  Check your batteries are charged and your remote battery had plenty of juice!!

Outboard

There is nothing more embarrassing than reversing the boat down into the water, turning the key and nothing. You try again not accepting that it’s not turning over and it doesn't start again.   Then you look around to see if you know anyone on the ramp to avoid the embarrassment.
It’s not rocket science! Put the muffs on and start the outboard at home. First this will confirm the battery is charged, but let it run for 5 minutes, ensure that its pumping water out of the tell tail and it goes into forward and reverse. 
Cover all of your bases and save yourself the embarrassment.

Nothing more embarrassing than having to drive back up the ramp and remove the cowling. 

This shouldn't happen at the ramp. Ensuring your crank/starter battery is charged is a simple yet overlooked practice. 

It starts!  Such a simple thing to do, start your outboard prior to hitting the drink.  1. It's saves engagement and 2. If it doesn't you can fault find in advance to hitting your local for a barra.

Maintenance is simple, but for some reasons as humans most of us tend to overlook it.  Saying we'll get to it prior to the next trip or it plays second fiddle to tackle and gear maintenance. Your boat is the taxi to fruitful barra pastures, look after it and it will look after you.
Enjoy the opening and take your Old Dogs for a swim. Just do me a favour and make sure the quest for your first barra of the season isn't hindered by the "1 preventers."
Tight lines
Westo aka #1 Dog Handler