I've Got A Problem

[Djman72]

So, I live in the Chicagoland area and I won't be wetting a line for bass until April.

 

I just did a tackle inventory to see what I need for next season/what needs to be replaced. I must have went a little crazy on terminal tackle/lures this season because I only need a few soft plastic replacements and a few spinners.

 

It's a long hard winter, and the bait monkey will find me... I'm afraid I'll be buying a bunch of random lures just to get my fishing itch scratched.

 

I also don't need any more rods/reels so I can't even hold out for that.

 

What's a man to do????              

[whitwolf]

Simply buy...... I would suspect the majority of the folks on here have more than they need. It's all part of this passion we call fishing.

[Angry John]

Trick out your reels and do a deep cleaning. New bearings and upgraded drags cheap overall gets your gear ready for the new season and scratches the itch for a bit

[F14A-B]

The Bait Monkey does not like being put on a diet, or starved.. Feed the bait monkey for a happy co- existence.

[Crappiebasser]

What's a man to do????

The best solution is to live somewhere that doesn't suck. Down here the water stays soft year round.

[Bruce424]

Just hold out til early spring man. That's when all the sales are going on.and then make a list on what you need. It seems when I make a list I usually stick to it. As for the long winter. I tinker with tackle, clean my reels and clean my rods and tackle bags.

[geo g]

Fuel up the car and when the snow starts getting deep, head for Florida, stop at Disney, and hire a guide on Toho. You'll scratch the itch!!!!

[HoosierHawgs]

Play a fishing video game on the Wii lol

[everythingthatswims]

Get out on the ice to catch a few fish, find a warmwater discharge to fish, and find some flowing water with trout. 

[Catch 22]

I too have reached an impass. I went to Gander Mt  & Dicks recently and spent only $15.

I lost two LC`s today so I now have a mission, whoopee===I think

C22

[wnybassman]

Sounds to me you need another expensive hobby.    lol

[5fishlimit]

If you buy more lures you can then spend time reorganizing. When you reorganize you find out there is something else you need/wanted.

Just happened to me with some Jackall Binskys and every color of Boze Sumo frogs when they went on sale at that warehouse place.

[Sam]

Read fishing books and magazines, watch all of the bassresource series on YouTube, check out various YouTube videos about different baits and presentations, scour the web for info on rods and reels, read, study your maps, rearrange your gear a few times, read, file away interesting articles in folders so you can find them and reread them in the future, plan your fishing outings, go back in your memory and think of your successful fishing adventures and write down all you can remember about them for use this spring, go to the big museum and get cultured (Commerce and Industry or something like that), read, get in the car and drive to Notre Dame and insult some nuns, enter as many contests you can each day, watch the Bears continue their downfall, watch some hockey on TV or go to a game, watch the college football bowl games and watch the great LSU Fighting Tigers take those Notre Dame low life's apart, continue to follow this Forum and read what the guys post and their replies, read some more books and magazine articles and just sit back and let your wife or girlfriend shovel the snow.

 

After all, you got to get in shape for the spring fishing season.

[gardnerjigman]

Watch for sales on your "go to" baits. I have enough zoom baby brush hogs in watermelon red to last 4+ seasons. I still buy them when I find a deal.

Scratch the monkey man...

[cyclops2]

Rod & reel over hauls.......Rod Check the guides with a magnifying glass. LOOK for grooves. Some braided can cut grooves in 2 months By me. RETIRED.

Also check that none are twisting around.

 

Reel ..........DO NOT PULL IT APART,...........You will probably screw it up on reassembly. 

 

I wipe dirt off the spinning shaft  with  little Baby oil put on the shaft and then run it in & out about 3 times.............

Bail pickup spring seems different / free play now.  Buy a new one. 

Bail line roller. Remove.  Oil soaked small Cloth.  Clean surfaces with a oil wetted cloth. 1/2 drop of oil on the screw shaft.

 

Done for me

[SirSnookalot]

Fuel up the car and when the snow starts getting deep, head for Florida, stop at Disney, and hire a guide on Toho. You'll scratch the itch!!!!

Yeh..........but I'd be headed for the keys.

I catch the majority of my fish on 2 or 3 lures, I'm all set.

[Master Bait'r]

1). Go skiing

Or

2). Move south

[Jolly Green]

Idle hands are what the Monkey uses to reach for your wallet.  Practice pitching, start tying your own jigs or bending your own spinnerbaits, deep clean and/or tune your reels, etc. Because nobody can hold off the Monkey indefinitely you're still going to buy stuff, but at least you can look back and know that that's not all you did all winter.

[The Wilkin]

When I can't fish I watch YouTube videos or read through BR forums and articles.

[bassguytom]

Get on the honey do list son! My plan is always to get that stuff done before ice out. Happy wife happy life = more time on the water. Lol.