Boating and Water Sports

Before you even think about carrying a boat there are several boat trailer accessories you should have simply to assure that your boat is properly secured to the trailer. These include tie downs, such as ratcheting hook and latch tie downs that stretch across and behind your boat to make sure it stays on the trailer should any of your other security devices break.

You'll also want some kind of winch to hoist your boat up onto the trailer out of the water. This will also lock into place to be the first form of security against the loss of your boat while traveling, which is backed up with the tie downs.


Other boat trailer accessories that are necessary are a hitch that will secure the trailer to the towing vehicle (make sure that all hitch parts are compatible so that you have easy hookup and connection), a lock for the hitch so that nothing can be stolen, and rollers onto which the boat can easily slide onto the trailer bed with no damage to the hull.

Basic freshwater fishing equipment includes a fishing rod and reel, fishing line between 4 and 10 pound-test, a variety of sinkers, a variety of hooks (sizes 6 to 10), floats, bait and in most locations, a fishing permit or license. There are a wide variety of both live and artificial baits that work well for fresh water fishing.

Live bait works well for fresh water fishing. Freshwater fish feed on a variety of prey, including earthworms, insects, insect larvae, frogs, minnows, chub, shad, crayfish and small fish species such as smelt. Freshwater fishing bait such as earthworms, crayfish, frogs, minnows, chubs and shads can be caught in its natural habitat. Look around piers and in shallow water. Freshwater bait can also be purchased from your local bait and tackle shop.

Artificial bait is manmade bait that attracts fish to bite or strike. It includes plastic worms, insects, flies, small jigs, lures, spoons, streamers, flies, spinners and more. Artificial bait can be purchased at fishing tackle and bait shops or online. Some anglers prefer to buy the supplies for these types of baits and make their own.

There are a wide variety of prepared baits that you can use for freshwater fishing. These include kernel corn, bread balls, cheese balls, egg bags, liver, cereal balls, chicken entrails. Here is just a short list of some freshwater fish and the bait that attracts them.