JACK WOLLITZ Fisherman's version of Murphy's Law

Murphy's Law applies in so many aspects of our lives that it stands to reason it also gets is fair share of blame for anglers' woes.
"If anything can go wrong, it will" is a postulate credited to an Air Force officer named Murphy. He was an engineer at Edwards Air Force Base in 1949 working on the development of aircraft to fly to the frontier of outer space.
While there is much less on the line in fishing compared to augering a jet into the desert, Murphy's Law nonetheless does bite anglers more often than necessary.
Anglers make too many mistakes that contribute to a sense that they are victims of bad luck. The truth is, however, that the vast majority of those mistakes can be avoided by good preparation and planning.
Recommendations
Think ahead to your next fishing trip to Mosquito, Berlin or Lake Erie. What can you do to avoid the errors that will cost you fish? Here are a few recommendations:
Spool up with fresh line. If you haven't changed your line since that Fourth of July outing at Lake Milton in 2001, buy some fresh spools and reel new line onto your outfits.
Limit your tackle. Take only what you need to the water and resist the temptation to haul everything you own. You can't catch fish while you're tying on baits. Focusing on a few lures and tactics will force you to learn how to make them produce rather than succumb to the temptation to experiment.
Fish where the fish are. Sounds easy and it is. But anglers who complain the fish aren't biting usually are fishing water that has little chance of producing. Learn why fish prefer certain areas and then how to work them effectively.
Pay attention to details. Even the liveliest bait or fanciest lure won't trick a fish if it is presented poorly.
Know the water. Many anglers bait up with a fresh nightcrawler, hang it two feet under a bobber and toss it out over 15 feet of water. Either they have no idea how deep the water is or no idea that most fish don't cruise the surface aimlessly looking for chow.
Invest in quality. Cheap rods and especially cheap reels will fizzle when you least can afford failure -- when a big fish is on the line. Inexpensive equipment will get the job done, and expensive stuff isn't a guarantee it'll perform, but a few extra bucks go a long way to ensuring you have a fighting chance when the fish of a lifetime is on your hook.
Check your hooks. Take no hook for granted. Make certain the tip is sharp enough to dig a little furrow in your thumbnail when you drag it lightly across the surface. Dull hooks probably account for more lost lunkers than broken lines.
Set the drag. Make sure your reel is set to slip at a medium pull pressure so you don't suffer the anguish of a big fish tearing free near the end of the battle. A reel set to light will minimize your chance of a good hook-up and too tight defeats the purpose of the drag system.
Pack your rainsuit. The surest way to tempt a rainstorm to brew on the horizon is to leave your foul weather gear high and dry back at home.
Protection
Apply sunscreen. You double your chances of suffering sunburn out on the water because the rays reflect off the water. Take SPF 15 or higher and apply it early in the day. And while you're at it, wear a hat. A little shade over your forehead can save you from a major headache later in the day.
Tune up the outboard. Fresh spark plugs and a de-gunked carburetor will pay big dividends. Many trips are ruined because the old Johnson won't fire at the launch ramp -- or worse, it sputters to an untimely demise five miles from the parking lot just as the sun dips in the west.
Take food. This applies especially with children on a fishing trip. Nothing ruins a trip faster than kids grumbling they are hungry just when the fish start biting. A bag of pretzels and a sandwich might just buy you an extra hour out on the water.
Leave the beer at home. Keep your wits sharp on the lake and you can celebrate once the boat is back in your driveway.
Make this your fishing trip checklist and you'll dramatically decrease the chances that old Murphy will get the chance to say, "I told you so!"
jwwollitz@aol.com