so your buddy calls and says "we are going to lake XYZ tomorrow, wanna go?" you say "yes", of course...so what do you do the night before to prepare for your outing? do you prerig all your rods? or do you wait untill you are on the water? check the weather? if you havent fished the lake before do you research it? pray to the fish god? do you have a secret ritual you perform?

i got this call last night, so today i rigged 3 rods...one for weightless senko, one with a small shallow crank, and one with a zara spook jr. i checked my box to make sure i had all the stuff i need, baits, camera, pliers, scale...and today i will look for topics on here that may relate to the type/technique i plan to use this evening(i dont have any "niagra" so i will try deadsticking tonight) ;D

so i was just curious how you guys/gals prep for a trip, if you have a boat i am sure there is much more involved

Cliff

Typically, I do everything you did. I also make sure to check my lines for abrasions, lube up my baitcast reel if I haven't used it in a while and make sure I have all the stuff I want to bring in the truck/car the day before! There's nothing like driving out to the lake and having forgotten your tackle box or bucket or SUNSCREEN One time i was so $hi# outta luck that I forgot the sunscreen and of course I stayed out in the sun all day fishing which resulted in several sleepless nights afterwards and looking like a steamed lobster for weeks.

GOOD LUCK ON YOUR TRIP

I get in the truck an leave. I'm already, ready!

It usually takes me about a week worth of nights after work to get all 18 rigs set up line sprayed, re-tied, put up everything from the last outing....etc... Senko, shakey head, dropshot, popper, frog, vibe, deep crank, are my bare minimums- thats to say at least 7 rigs ready to go.

Im allways ready, Lets Go.

I'm always ready. I have all my rigging stashed in my car. I have my 5 poles and 4 bags of gear ready at a moments notice. It's great having all your gear ready to ge because I always drive past lakes and spots, gleaming "Fish Me, Fish Me!"

Since he called, we will be in his boat.  I like to travel as light as possible and still have the essentials. I always ask "Where will we be launching? What do you have in mind for the early part of the trip?   What baits do you plan to throw for starters?  Will I need to have my XYZ baits or do you not plan to do that type of fishing?"

Once I have a little knowledge, I know how to rig a few rods.  For example, if he plans to start out with buzzbaits, I'd be hard pressed to use heavy jigs or trigs.  On the other hand, if he plans to fish bluffs in 30+ fow I don't want a bunch of spinnerbaits or buzz baits tied on.

I get in the truck an leave. I'm already, ready!

Cocked, Locked, & Ready to Rock