Compiled by Dave Hurley and edited by Roger George, a central San Joaquin Valley native and local fishing expert.

ROGER'S REMARKS

Taking a fishing trip can be a very simple -- or extremely involved and intense! Recently when I tried to put a general list together of items I should take on a trip, it became obvious I do a lot of things unconsciously. In my brain, here's the way it seems to go from the time I decide I'm going until the moment I park at the launch ramp and get in the boat:

Maybe your boat is at your home, but I have mine stored a few miles away, so the first thing I need to do is remember to make sure the batteries are juiced up and good to go. Taking this for granted has ruined many trips, so I usually check their charge at least a half-day before I leave so I have time to charge them if needed. I've got five batteries, so staying on top of them is key. At the same time, I check the oil reserve for the gas mixture for my outboard, and many times I individually check the grease bearings on each hub on the dual axle trailer. Trailer failures are no fun, and I've gotten a little paranoid about making sure the whole trailer unit is good to go.

I try to bring the whole unit home 2-3 hours before I leave so I can first make sure I get some quality gas. Not just any gas either, because I've been told by my boat mechanics that there is lots of contaminated gas out there. I try to make sure I use a well-known brand, and I stick with it, going to the same place every time.

Back home again, my routine continues. Make sure the spare tire is good and that I have a jack and tools. Are the life jackets still in the boat? Then a double-check of the hitch ball, hitch lock, safety chain, ground cable and trailer lights. Blown trailer light fuses are cheap to replace, but it's heck when you find out you've got a short in the whole trailer system as you load up your boat in the dark!

Do I need to put the Bimini top on the boat or leave it home? Do I need to put the downriggers on the boat and check to make sure the plug-ins have juice? Are the downrigger balls with me, and will the cable hold up for this trip, or do I need some spare parts just in case? Is the big spotlight still in the boat?

Next is the food. Is there enough water, soft drinks, energy drinks, protein bars or sandwiches to make it through the day? It takes time to get good food, and it's tough on the fly to get something that's not all fat and fried, but usually worth it. Antacids and ibuprofen are key items, too.

Collecting all the coats, rain suits, towels, suntan lotion, dark glasses and hats you may need for the elements is another necessity, especially if you're taking someone who assures you that all they ever need is the T-shirt on their back. They usually are the first to hit the stash of warm clothes!

Lastly, I get to my poles, tackle boxes, net and any special fishing equipment I may need, and I throw it all in the boat.

I finally get in the car, check all the mirrors, while doing a final-final mental checklist, then drive away. At this point, it hits me: I've got this nagging suspicion I'm forgetting something. I wonder why this could possibly be?

Roger George can be reached at rogergeorge8000@sbcglobal.net

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