Spring Tackle Re-Organization Rituals 2025

Jmrichardson2011 reply :

Just curious as to what everyone's ritual for spring re-organization of tackle is. Here in the North, it seems that every February about this time I start slowly going through my tack before breaking down and covering my living room floor in lures and terminal tackle to try and determine what is worthy enough to go in this year's box.

Usually, I just go through and thow away used plastics, torn/bent skirts and spinners and hide the hard baits that I never find myself pulling out of the tackle box. Then I repack everything into my bag (or try too...doesn't always fit), realize what I am missing or want, then try not to get bit by the rabid bait monkey telling me I need more.

What do you guys do?

LgMouthGambler reply :

I keep my stuff organized all year long, since we fish all year on down here. I have a app on my phone called AK Notepad. I made a list of every bait brand/color/style that I have. As I use a bag, or lose a bait, or need to replace a broken bait, I just put a * next to it, and how many to get. Next trip to BPS or anywhere that has bait, I can check to see what I need, and then knock it off the list. You could say I'm OCD, most just call me nucking futs.

Darren. reply :

Not sure I have a ritual. I do make sure things are organized, but actually do so all thru the year.

That said, I have been respooling a couple reels with new Power Pro, making sure my leaders are good-to-go, etc.

tnbassfisher reply :

Nothing major. Get a few things that I have run out of plus a few new things that I want to try. Clean and respool my reels.

Siebert Outdoors reply :

I dont do much. Typically go through and check what terminal tackle I need and reorganize everything box by box. I also clip all the line ends off the lures.

Fishes in trees reply :

I take ALL gear out of the boat. When I take the boat to the mechanic in late Feb/early March I like to have the boat empty. When I get the boat back, I take an afternoon to re-load the boat and drink a few beers. Spring gear gets loaded into the boat & truck. Summer gear & fall gear gets put into storage bins where it is easy to get to (and the bins get labeled)

Somewhere in my shop there is a check off list I made a few years ago and I go through it to see that all important stuff is where it should be.

Jig Meister reply :

clip off all the line ends, soak my plastics with scent to keep them moist, figure out what I need to buy

SudburyBasser reply :

Spring? The day bass closes I begin a five month process of organizing and reorganizing everything. It ultimately ends with respooling and getting back out there.

Takes the edge off from having to wait so long :-)

ww2farmer reply :

I usually start in the late fall about as soon as I put my boat away. To start with, I make a detailed list of every thing I have, and restock stuff that I am low on all winter long, so by spring , most everything I have is restocked well enough to last all season. Toss out anything that is rusty, or broken. Sell off stuff that I don't use. Then I clean my reels, and rod handles. Last thing I do is put fresh line on reels that need it, i use braid as mainline on all my reels, so the only time I change it is when I am running low, or it's been in use for a few years and is looking ratty. I can be ready to hit the water in about 2 hours notice from mid March on.

nwmike reply :

tear off all my old jig trailers and put new ones on.re spool all my reels after cleaning and sharpen hooks.

Quitlimpin reply :

Throw all hardbaits in the plano's, taking care to ensure that ALL the trebles get tangled. If I can get my deep cranks mixed with my spooks, that's just a bonus.

A-Jay reply :

This year I'm starting a new spring ritual -

First, I take 2 MH and 2 H casting outfits along with 2 big Cranking rigs and I check all guides to ensure they are in perfect working order. Then the reels get a little TLC after which they are re-spooled with fresh 40 - 65lb braid as appropriate.

Next, I go through my baits and I put aside a few of the following baits - Big Spinner Baits, Big Crank Baits, Big Rattle Baits, Big Swimbaits & Big Topwaters. Then, if not already installed, I change out split rings and treble hooks and replace them with a bigger beefier set.

The next chore is to compile a modest assortment to over-sized plastic; to include 9 - 12inch jelly worms, 7inch Flukes, Rage Lobsters, 10inch Lizards & plenty of 10.5inch Yum F2 Mightee Worms.

5/0 - 8/0 Lazar Trokar EWG hooks and necessary terminal tackle complete this package.

A small duffel of miscellaneous gear must be assembled which includes but is not limited to camera, sunscreen, bug spray, Boga grip, hook sharpener, pliers, fishing hat and sunglasses.

Finally, all of this is packed up in accordance with FAA regulations and will accompany me this March for a week, of what will hopefully be Unforgettable Fishing on Mexico's Lake Baccarac ~

A-Jay

LgMouthGambler reply :

On 2/6/2013 at 6:40 AM, A-Jay said:

This year I'm starting a new spring ritual -

First, I take 2 MH and 2 H casting outfits along with 2 big Cranking rigs and I check all guides to ensure they are in perfect working order. Then the reels get a little TLC after which they are re-spooled with fresh 40 - 65lb braid as appropriate.

Next, I go through my baits and I put aside a few of the following baits - Big Spinner Baits, Big Crank Baits, Big Rattle Baits, Big Swimbaits & Big Topwaters. Then, if not already installed, I change out split rings and treble hooks and replace them with a bigger beefier set.

The next chore is to compile a modest assortment to over-sized plastic; to include 9 - 12inch jelly worms, 7inch Flukes, Rage Lobsters, 10inch Lizards & plenty of 10.5inch Yum F2 Mightee Worms.

5/0 - 8/0 Lazar Trokar EWG hooks and necessary terminal tackle complete this package.

A small duffel of miscellaneous gear must be assembled which includes but is not limited to camera, sunscreen, bug spray, Boga grip, hook sharpener, pliers, fishing hat and sunglasses.

Finally, all of this is packed up in accordance with FAA regulations and will accompany me this March for a week, of what will hopefully be Unforgettable Fishing on Mexico's Lake Baccarac ~

A-Jay

Good luck. Hope you catch some monsters and stay out of trouble. (dont forget to pack heat). Take pics

Bass Junkie reply :

My process starts in early winter, with me leaving rods strung up with jerkbaits/jigs/drop shot rigs tied on, just in case. After around a month of this I finally give up hope and unrig them. The reels get lubed, drags backed off, and line stripped when necessary. Then I wipe any debris off and put them back into their boxes, or wrap them in foam Coozies, all of which goes into a larger box. The roda get wiped down and the cork cleaned, and go on a rod rack. I sort through my boxes countless times thought the off season, replacing trebles, tieing jig skirts, etc. And sometimes just to look at the lures and ponder soft water... I also buy lures like a mad man, trying to satisfy that stupid bait monkey in some way. A lost cause, but a noble one...

(It gets bad around here...)

kickerfish1 reply :

- sell any unneeded tackle, rods reels, baits, etc...

-clean all rods... including blanks, guides, cork, foam, handle etc...

-have all reels serviced

-put new line on all reels

-purchase anything that I need that I may be low on

-regroup the tackle for early spring conditions

-wait for the lakes to be fishable and the ice to melt

BassinB reply :

My process seems to start every year in January. I disassemble all my reels and thoroughly clean and relube them, and inevitably decide they all need different line for this next season. So after respooling with an assortment of braid, flourocarbon, and copolymer they are mated to their respectful rods and set onto the rack. I then take stock of all of my baits and terminal tackle, resupplying with an order that is seemingly impossible to get below $500 from TW.-Wait impatiently for a week- Receive order...then organize and relabel all of my tackle as well as clean the hard baits and replace their hooks if needed. 2 weeks pass and repeat. Usually 2 or 3 times until the season opens.

Bankbeater reply :

Clean reels.

Take inventory of all plastics by going through each bag and getting rid of the baits that I have used before that have become torn or damaged.

Clean out tackle bags and boxes.

Sharpen hooks on hard baits.

Check skirts on jigs, and spinnerbaits.

Put new batteries in scale and headlamp.

Put new line on reels.

Put together shopping list so I can remember what I need.

jhoffman reply :

I dont reuse plastics so all used ones go in the garbage at the end of every trip on the water

I never leave a trailer on a bait over night if it saw the water

Relube all reels/clean

new line, clean grips, inspect eyes

replace any feathered trebles which are beat

replace any hook that has rust at all

restock tackle all winter(cant afford it all in one shot, could if I saved but to me it stings less)

nothing stays in the boat, not even fish finders, wires yes, units no

when the boat is uncovered run seafoam and change the plugs, this spring its also getting the aluminum cleaned and polished

nwmike reply :

I decided to go through a tote I keep all my various plastics in after reading this thread in an attempt to get everything organized.by the time I was done all I could think was how did I end up with 30 unused packs of havok baits.then I remember buy one get two free.also found some yum fat money minnows in trout pattern.feeling good about getting organized.

tugsandpulls reply :

watch fishing shows on tv or online drool over there fish while cleaning out my tackle bag an cleaning my rods respoolin my reels cryin to the wife i wish i was fishing going to dicks stocking up on clearence items

Jaiden reply :

Get enough lures for more than a season.

Put lures in appropriate box.

Check treble hooks and replace as needed.

Clean reels

Put fresh line on

Practice casting in the yard until fishing season

L a r r y reply :

Everyone up there ^^^^^ goes through a spring cleaning and puts things away and pulls things back out? WOWWWW I've not had a rod/reel in my hand for no longer than two weeks and on the water

OHHHHHHHHH I'm in HOT TEXAS where they don't have a fall/winter season........CARRY ON

BradGuenette reply :

I did some of mine today... Joy :/

"The pile"

Felix77 reply :

1) Strip all the rods of old line

2) Clean the reels (oil, lube etc.)

3) Inventory the tacklebox. Make a list of things I need.

4) Set fishing goals (new technique 2013 is the Drop Shot) - Add to the list I need

5) Visit sportsman shows or similar events. - Buy some stuff.

6) Place orders online or visit BPS, Cabelas, Gander Mountain to hit their sales

7) Order my stuff

8) Respool my reels (march ish)

9) wait for the lakes to thaw. I am out on the banks on ice out and striper fishing in early April.

flyfisher reply :

I try and stay organized throughout the year since I fish from a kayak and space is not a luxury I have. I usually fish all winter long as long as there is no ice. Usually I shift to more trout fishing though and hit up a few of the spring creeks that don't freeze.

This year I do plan on going through my tackle here soon and get everything squared away since I have realized there are certain techniques I favor and others I want to learn.

I do also make a rivers box that has the majority if my smallie baits that I generally don't use for largemouth.

papajoe222 reply :

I start out cleaning and relubing all my reels. This year that included adding carbon fiber drag washers to three of them after polishing the washers and gear. Then it's the rods. Check all guides, clean and seal cork grips, and mark application on similar rods. On to baits starting with spinnerbaits. I'll check hooks for sharpness, replace skirts, polish or replace blades. Next is hard baits. After organizing and marking boxes as to content I'll start with top-waters replacing hooks and split rings where necessary and sharpening hooks on hollow body frogs and spoons. I'll do the same with cranks and when done, I'll replace any baits that were lost or are no longer worth the time and effort to get into fishing condition. Plastics are next, mostly just organizing and replenishing. The same goes for hooks, weights, terminal tackle, blades, skirts, etc.

This whole process takes me about five weeks. At this point, I start driving the wife nuts as I'm already finished and other than getting the boat and trailer ready. Seeing as I've completed all but the boat and trailer and opening day at the power plant lakes is over four weeks away, it's time to start antagonizing the cat and momma so I have no problem getting out for at least the first couple of week-ends before either one figures out my strategy.

Will Wetline reply :

This photo was taken while inventorying and organizing for the 2011 season.

papajoe222 reply :

Hey W.W. The first thing I notice in your pic was the marker bouy. Only one?? LOL I keep six on the boat and always have one on deck to throw out after hooking a fish on open water structure. Old school, old fart here.

8968

Spring Tackle Re-Organization Rituals 2025

related Fishing Tackle topic

previous topic

next topic

most viewed Fishing Tackle topic