Boat:

• Wash down boat and put a nice coat of wax. I do this monthly during spring and summer.
• Check status of batteries / battery charger works
• Validate that post of batteries are covered on starting battery and trolling motor batteries. If not, could get ticket from DNR or Coast Guard.
• Are batteries affixed to boat? If not could get ticket from DNR or Coast Guard
• Main motor and kicker turn over
• Validate that you have main motor kill tether
• Have transom saver for main motor
• Validate fire extinguisher is charged with needle in green of gauge
• Validate plug in boat
• Validate live-well and bait-well pump works
• Validate that you have all plugs for live-well, bait-well and cooler if you have one
• Validate bilge works
• Validate trolling motor works along with remotes
• Validate trolling motor remote batteries
• Is trolling motor tightly secured to boat? The bolts/screws will loosen over time.
• Validate that all graphs powerup, read bottom and GPS position is acquired
• Do you have needed navigation chips (mapping)
• Validate all gauges on driver console are working.
• If you have a windshield make sure it is tightened to boat and that screws in windshield are not loose
• Validate all boat compartment lift pistons can hold up compartment door. If not, you should be able to order or buy in store.  Model should be on side of piston.
• If boat has a keel guard validate that keep is completely glued to boat
• Validate that you have a set of jump cables that could reach from your trolling motor batteries to the starting battery.
• Validate how many life jackets on board and the number of passengers when going out
• Validate you have a throwable on board
• If on federal waters such as Lake Michigan or Lake Winnebago, that you have a flare kit (not expired) and horn or whistle. Good to have this for any waterway
• Tighten all screws on boat which include the following; Pedestal bases, seats, cleats, rails, gauges, rod holders, windshield, graph mounts and graphs, transducers, and screws under console
• First aid kit in boat
• Are navigation light for front and back in boat and work
• Boat bumpers and bow lines
• Have a set of screwdrivers, pliers and crescent wrench and other needed tools on board
• Have electrical and duct tape on board
• Spare rope
• Do you have an anchor on board?
• Is weight distributed throughout boat? Could help with boat lean
• Know the rules of the water such as boat driving at you, no wake buoy and so forth

Trailer:

• When was last time wheel bears were packed with grease / or do it? Drive around and see if bears heat up.
• Check trailer light plug along with vehicle plug in as may be corroded
• All trailer lights work
• Bow strap is in good shape
• Trailer tongue is working properly
• Tires / rims look good and filled properly with air
• Spare tire along with the proper lug nut wrench
• Have jack that can lift up boat to change wheel. Big boats require a heavy duty jack!!
• If bunk trailer are bunks screwed securely?

On Saturday, January 23rd, Learn 2 Fish With Us volunteers and board members had a great time on the ice with Captain Greg!!  They were fishing Partridge Crop which is close to New London, Wisconsin.  The day may have started out cold with the starting temp being a cold -1.  Thanks to the wind being calm it was not long at the temp was in the twenties.  The panfish bite was slow, but thanks to northerns the and flags were flying.  Over twenty northern were caught with the largest being thirty inches!!  Both keeper northern were caught with hot dogs!!  Snacks and brats were served along with beverages and so much conversations!!  A fun time was had and we so look forward to next years event!!

Below are the additional items need when fishing from a boat: (Please also refer to the shore fishing checklist)

• Life jacket for each person in boat along with one throwable
• Great lakes safety kit requirement– Flares, flare gun, whistle
• Anchor and rope
• Boat fenders
• Throw rope along with tie downs
• Front and back navigation light if fishing during dawn or dusk
• Electronics / GPS to help you while fishing and returning back
• Map of lake
• Fire extinguisher
• Boat cover
• Spare oil
• Spare plug
• Paddle
• Great lakes kit – Flares, flare gun, whistle
• Bucket in case boat takes on water
• If battery on board must be affixed to boat and battery connections must me covered up
• Know the rules of the water such as boat driving at you, no wake buoy and so forth
• Duct tape
• Vehicle and boat insurance information
• Weather radio
• Launch pass

Trailer needs:

• Spare tire and jack – Make sure the jack can lift the boat up to change tire
• All trailer lights work
• Bow strap is in good shape

Here is a video that takes you through all the steps of creating fish chowder!!

Here is a video we shot during the January 16th cub scout Ice Fishing Clinic.  Let us know if your group or organization is looking for a Ice Fishing Clinic.

Captain Greg’s Fishing Checklist:

• First item is to have a valid fishing license if required. Based on your fishing you may need additional stamps.  In Wisconsin, people 16 or older require a fishing license.
• Fishing Regulations – can pull up on phone and download to phone
• Have a fun attitude so you can have a great day
• Fishing combos with a spare or two in case you encounter issues
• Tackle box with spare tackle, extra line, bobbers, hooks and sinkers of all sizes
• Bait – For minnows it is nice to have an aerator. If warm, make sure to keep bait in a cooler
• Pliers, line clippers / shears, hemostat or multi-tool pliers as it has almost any tool needed
• Ruler to be able to measure fish that have size restrictions
• Camera or phone to take great pictures from the day
• Map for body of water fishing. Navionics has a great app to show you roads, landings and so much more
• Sun protection and sun screen lip balm to protect your lips
• Insect repellant
• Sun glasses – protect eyes from sun and hooks along with if polarized to see fish.
• Cooler with ice to keep beverages cool. Use to transport fish and keep fish fresh
• Bottled water so you can stay hydrated
• Snacks
• Hat / fishing gloves / bandana
• Life jacket or throwable if fishing from shore. If in a boat a life jacket is needed for each person on boat.  Youth 13 and under are required to wear life jacket.  Each boat must also have a throwable that is easily reachable.
• Net
• Comfortable chair
• Fillet knife
• First Aid Kit
• Couple towels to keep hand clean and dry
• Biodegradable soap
• Small bottle of hand sanitizer
• Small poncho
• Toilet paper
• If fishing northern or muskie a jaw spreader
• Compass
• Flashlight

Head2Head’s Pro Walleye Series Partners With Learn 2 Fish With Us For Their Inaugural Season in 2021 Appleton, WI, Release Date: February 4, 2021 Head2Head Fishing’s Pro Walleye Series is happy to announce a new partnership with Learn 2 Fish With Us. Greg Karch, a certified angler educator and instructor with the Wisconsin DNR and BSA, started this non profit organization in 2006 with a mission “to grow the sport of fishing by educating and inspiring both beginner and experienced anglers.” Having this as their main focus and mission statement has helped them host over 268 fishing clinics across the Midwest which in total educated 50,000 youth and adults on the skills and equipment needed to both open water and ice fish. With support from the Future Angler Foundation, Greg Karch with Learn 2 Fish With Us will be hosting clinics during each PWS event in 2021 with special appearances from PWS anglers.  Greg will be covering all the basics on how to start fishing followed by PWS anglers taking the kids to the shoreline to try out everything they learned. These seminars will be hosted on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights of each event in each event location from 4-6pm. Future Angler Foundation president, Pat Neu said, “Greg Karch and his  Learn to Fish With Us team do an amazing job of educating young anglers  about the sport of fishing. Our foundation continues to support Greg’s efforts  with our donations of rods/reels that he can give to the attendees at his events  to assure these new young anglers have the equipment they need to get  started as anglers. Greg’s efforts in conjunction with the new PWS and it’s  engaging education format makes this partnership a perfect fit for the FAF to  achieve its mission to “Create New Anglers.” The whole team here at Head2Head has really gotten behind Learn 2 Fish With Us and their mission and we can’t wait to see where this partnership takes us. To learn more about Learn 2 Fish With Us, click here. More information about Head2Head fishing and upcoming events can be found on our website: https://h2hfishing.com/