Now that the ice season is basically over, the transition from winter gear to summer gear is in full swing! So here are a bunch of “summerizing” tips related to ice gear storage. These are not organized – kinda like most of us! LOL. Disclaimer: I am not a mechanic, just a fishing guide on a budget that has to maintain a ton of stuff – so I’ve learned a few things over the years that have worked for me. So on that note, use these tips at your own risk! LOL.
Portable Fish Houses: Clean thoroughly to get any debris and smells out of the house that may attract mice throughout the summer months. Place dryer sheets or moth balls to keep rodents away. Refresh the items in July.
Wheel houses/skid houses: Clean thoroughly to get any food crumbs, smells, or anything that will attract rodents. Store in a dry hard floored shed. Outside somewhere in the back grove equals mice – and they have all summer to get in and eat wires, cushions, etc. Grease the heck out of the wheel/axle pivot systems (or they may seize up from rust), power wash the frame bottom (10 trips down the highway means a ton of road salt on a frame). Charge and disconnect all batteries (unless you have a security system). Plug all vents to keep mice out. Do not let anything dangle from the house to the ground — it’s a ladder for rodents! Stuff the place with dryer sheets or moth balls. Crack the roof vent or windows to prevent mold behind all of that nice pine interior. Spray all exterior or interior wire connectors with a corrosion protectant. Lube the door locks and hitch lock. Fill propane tanks. Cover regulator (gas line) vents so spiders or moisture can’t get into regulators. Double check your insurance coverage. Finally, hang some Rosary beads from the doorknob and cross your fingers.
Electronics Batteries: Disconnect from the unit and charge full using a 2 amp charger (a fast charge will cook batteries). Spray battery connections with a protectant along with the connectors on the unit itself. Recharge every couple of months until next ice season. The same holds true for four wheeler or snowmobile batteries. It’s not uncommon to get 4-5 years out of a battery if maintained. Now go get a high speed transducer and mount the Vexilar or Humminbird to the boat and use it all summer long.
Ice rods/reels: Clean the handles of the rods/reels – rodents and pets love to chew on foam and cork handles that smell tasty! Pop open the reels and lightly oil. Loosen the drags to minimal tension to save tension washers etc. Store in a dry place, out of the reach of pets. Try to avoid hot storage places like the garage attic – the summer heat will destroy line, rod varnishes, glues, etc. If you have young kids or grandkids (2-4 yrs. old) maybe keep a couple ice rods ready to go for them to use in the boat or off the dock. Five year olds are ready for the big show—a 4-5ft set up. OK, now I’m side tracked.
Ice tackle: Put in the boat or tackle box, use it all summer. Who said tungsten ice jigs aren’t a deadly summer option for huge “pannies”? SSHHH!
Gas Augers/equipment: You still have one? Never use ethanol gas in small gas tools/equipment first of all, but even if you do, or don’t, add Sea Foam to the gas (I’m a big fan). Run the auger for five minutes to get through the system. Empty gas into your car or boat tank, then run auger empty until it quits. Remove gas tank lid and let the tank dry. Feel free to spray a lube into spark plug hole and pull a few times to “coat” piston area to prevent corrosion. These simple steps will also keep your wheelers and “sleds” happy – at least all of mine like it!
Sharpen all auger blades (beat the fall rush) and spray with a lube to prevent any potential rust. Check the lube levels in the auger crankcase.
Electric augers: Hmmm, not much for maintenance. Simply charge batteries and maintain the battery charge throughout summer. Do not store in a hot place. Heat kills more batteries than cold. Spray blades with a lube to prevent rust etc.
Bait Stuff: Use the bait pucks all spring and summer for waxies and spikes. When the bait shops are out of waxies or spikes for the summer, then go to www.SpeedyWorm.com and get spikes and waxies all summer. Why wait for ice? I like to use the bigger bait pucks for leeches, drill a couple holes in them and let them float in the live well – forget the Styrofoam disaster cups! I also let the kids (myself as well just in case the plastics bite is off) use the bait pucks for taking small amounts of crawlers/leeches to wherever. Any unused bait pucks can be run through the dishwasher when nobody is home.
Portable Aerators: remove all batteries and spray the electric pump motor shaft with lube.
Coordinates: Don’t forget to save all of those “honey holes” onto another unit or “chip.” Some of the spots may be great summer haunts as well. And ya never know when the unit might fail in storage causing you to lose your coordinates.
Well I hope that helps a little, I’m sure I’ve forgotten something that I normally take for granted and do myself. Happy equipment equals happy fishing! Lotsa Fish! Losta Fun!
Minnesota Fishing Guide Service, www.MinnesotaGuideService.com Capt Josh Hagemeister 320-291-0708, 218-732-9919
