Reel N Hampton: Jim Baugh Reporting from the Flybridge
Get on That Boat

April is probably the most time I spend on my boat, because this is maintenance month for boat owners. Every little thing that has busted or gone wrong, we try to fix now in preparation for the fishing season yet to come. Cobia and spadefish will be at the top of our list come May, and we want our boats to be ready.

Here are some good tips that may help you with your boat preparation. These are a lot of basic things that can apply whether you keep your boat in the water or trailer it.

Hull inspection is rather important. If you own an IO, you’d better check those gaskets attached to the engine and stern of the boat. A loose or bad gasket can sink you for sure, no matter what size your boat is. For inboards, check all your stuffing boxes and haul your boat at least once a year. Clean and or paint the bottom if necessary. Another great thing to check is ANY through hull fittings. Especially if you have plastic through hulls, replace with brass or stainless if you can. A cracked plastic below waterline through hull fitting will cause you big problems once your boat hits the water.

A clean bilge is more important that you think. A lot of boats do use float switches to turn on the bilge pumps. You want your hull free of debris. Anything that can clog or affect the pump could be a big hazard. The Jim Baugh Outdoors show boat has three pumps, two with float switches for service, and a high elevated pump for any emergency situation. This one has never gone off, but we do check it regularly to make sure it works just in case.

All that banging around offshore and in the Chesapeake can knock just about any screw loose. Plan on inspecting anything on your boat that is attached with a screw, especially seats. I had to learn that lesson the hard way.

Flushing your outboard engine is always a good idea, and change out your impellers once a year. And for us four stroke owners, don’t forget to change your oil!

For some reason it seems that I have been plagued with in line fuse connectors for my entire boating life! So as a part of our April boat inspection, I check all fuse holders to make sure they are in good shape. A shot of WD is usually applied as well.

I also recommend a good life jacket check. Make sure that all are in good shape and ready for another year of boating fun, and as always, get your vessel Coast Guard Inspected! They will make sure your boat is up to snuff and ready for the season.

Jim Baugh Outdoors is also proud to announce our new waterfront home here in Hampton Virginia. We have loved the area so much, that we went ahead and moved our operation here permanently. The JBO Studio is also being set up here as I write this column.

I like to congratulate Suzuki Marine on their safety award presented to them at the Miami International Boat Show by the United States Coast Guard. It was quite an honor, and shows just how much Suzuki promotes boating safety in their advertising. Congrats again!

Tight Lines, and we will see you on the water in Hampton! For more info on charter captains in our area, just log on to www.jimbaughoutdoors.com and check out our charter pages and order your free Hampton Roads Fishing Guide!