Spring is close. Real close.
If you’ve been counting down the days since you pulled your boat out of the water last fall, you’re not alone. But before you hitch up the trailer and head to the landing, there are a few things worth checking over. Taking an hour or two now will save you a whole lot of headache on opener.
Here’s what to look at before your first trip of the year.
Start With the Hull
Give your boat a good look from bow to stern. You’re looking for anything that doesn’t belong. Cracks, chips, or stress marks in the gel coat are worth addressing before they become bigger problems. Check around the drain plug area and any hardware mounting points.
If you’ve got a fiberglass deep-V like a Warrior, you’ve got a big advantage here. No wood in the hull means no rot, no swelling, and no surprises after a long winter in storage. But a visual inspection is always a good habit no matter what you’re running.
Don’t forget to locate your drain plug before you go anywhere. It sounds obvious. It happens to everyone eventually.
Check Your Battery
Nothing kills a first day out faster than a dead battery. Batteries that sit in cold storage for months lose charge, and older batteries may not hold a full charge anymore.
Put a charger on it and see how it responds. If it’s not reaching a full charge or it drains faster than it should, replace it before the season starts. Batteries are cheap compared to missing the early bite because your electronics won’t fire up.
Check your battery terminals too. Corrosion builds up over winter. A little baking soda and water goes a long way. Clean connections mean reliable power all season.
Run the Livewell System
This one matters a lot if you’re tournament fishing or if keeping your catch alive is a priority.
Fill the livewell and run both the pump and the aerator. Make sure water is circulating, the overflow is draining properly, and there are no leaks around the fittings. Replace any filters or screens that look worn or clogged.
If anything seems off, track it down now. Livewell issues are a lot easier to fix in your driveway than at the boat ramp at 5 a.m.
Check Your Trolling Motor
Extend the trolling motor and give it a full inspection. Look at the prop for nicks, dings, or weeds still wrapped around the shaft from last season. Spin it by hand and make sure it moves freely.
Run it through all the speeds. If you’ve got a foot pedal, test the cable tension and make sure it’s responding cleanly. Check the mount hardware and tighten anything that’s worked itself loose over the winter.
Your trolling motor does a lot of work during a day of walleye fishing. Make sure it’s ready to go before you need it.
Dial In Your Electronics
This one takes a little more time, but it’s worth it.
Power everything up at home and check for software updates on your fish finder and GPS units. Manufacturers push updates through the winter and you don’t want to be sitting in a boat at first light trying to figure out why your unit is asking you to update.
If you’re running a Livescope or other live sonar setup, check your transducer mounting. Make sure it’s tight, the cable is secure, and nothing shifted in storage. Re-run your settings if you changed anything during the fall.
Having your electronics dialed in before opener means more time fishing and less time messing with gear on the water.
Inspect Your Trailer
The boat gets all the attention, but your trailer matters just as much.
Start with the wheel bearings. If you hauled through a lot of boat launches last year, inspect the buddies or bearing protectors and repack if it’s been a while. Wheel bearings that fail on the highway can ruin a whole lot more than just your fishing trip.
Check all the lights. Trailer lights take a beating and bulbs burn out. Plug in and walk around. Running lights, brake lights, and turn signals all need to be working before you hit the road.
Look at the bunks or rollers. After a season of use, bunks can shift or wear unevenly. A boat that’s sitting off-center on a trailer doesn’t load or launch as cleanly as it should.
Finally, check your straps and safety chains. Replace anything that looks frayed or worn. It’s a five-dollar fix with a lot of upside.
Get Your License Sorted
Check your state’s fishing regulations before opener. License requirements, season dates, and slot limits can change year to year. Most states allow you to buy your license online and have it on your phone the same day.
If you’re heading to a new body of water this spring, spend a few minutes reviewing the local rules. It’s a small step that keeps you fishing legally and protects the resource for everyone.
Think About an Upgrade?
If this offseason has had you thinking about stepping into a new rig, show season is still going. There are a few stops left on the Warrior schedule this month where you can get hands-on with the 2026 lineup and talk to a dealer face to face.
Nothing replaces sitting in a boat and seeing how it’s laid out. Visit WarriorBoatsInc.com to find a dealer near you or check out the remaining show dates.
Spring is coming. Get ready.