Be prepared before taking season’s first fishing trip

Now that fishing season is here, there are many things that you need to get ready for your first fishing trip.
Not only that, I thought I would list a thing or two week to week for the next several weeks that might be good to have alongside you in your boat to help make your day more successful while out on the water.
It is hard to keep up with technology nowadays with everyone trying to get the edge and produce something that might just be the new trick. Having the right equipment and products in your possession at the right time may make the difference on having a good day or no day at all.
Some of these are simple things and you don’t have to spend tons of money to have the best, just have what works for you and fits in your budget. If I can ever help with answering questions on any products concerning the outdoors and fishing especially, please give me a call.
Most everyone today uses a trolling motor. For those of you who do not know what a trolling motor is, these are motors that are electric and are used to get around once you arrive at your favorite fishing sport. Minn Kota Trolling Motor is a name that has been around for a long time when it comes to fishing. They are also one of my fine sponsors in fishing.
Since its founding, Minn Kota has led the way in product innovation and cutting-edge technology.
The can be purchased just about anywhere that sells sporting goods products or fishing products. You can also purchase them online at many retailers or visit their website at www.minnkotamotors.com.
Back last year, I signed on with a new sponsor of mine, EGO S 2 Slider Net systems.  
This is a net system like no other. The great thing about EGO nets is that they have something that will fit all of your pleasure and tournament fishing needs.
For more information on the EGO S 2 Slider Net Systems, log onto www.egos2slider.com or you can contact me.
The Obion County Central High School High School Bass Club will be hosting a bass fishing class with BassMaster Elite Series professional bass angler Mark Menendez as the class instructor.
Mark currently hosts a three-week course in his hometown of Paducah. This will be held March 9th and will be at the high school. More information to come and if you have any questions, you can call Johnnie Garrett at 885-2903. There will be silent auction fishing items at this event.
Reelfoot Lake Adult Bass Club’s 20th Annual Reelfoot Lake Bass Club Open Buddy Bass Tournament on Reelfoot Lake will be held March 30th. Registration forms will be available soon.
For more information, you can call Gordon Fox at 885-5541. This tournament is the longest running bass tournament held on Reelfoot Lake and known throughout Western Tennessee. Stay tuned.
Youth Villages of Paris Tennessee will be hosting their 2nd annual bass fishing tournament on April 6 at Paris Landing State Park in Paris on beautiful Kentucky Lake.
The web page for the fishing tournament is www.reelYV.org or you can call Rachel Hanson at 731-641-4159 or Vicki Long at 731-641-4152. The tournament last year brought in 22 boats and they are hoping to expand this year. This will be a great event to help support. Entry fee for the tournament is $120 per 2 man boat with a $10 big bass pot that will be paid back 100 percent to the anglers.
The first Bass Pro Shops Crappie Masters Crappie Tournament will be held in a few weeks on March 2nd on Reelfoot Lake. This will be an open event as long as you are a member of their Crappie Masters organization. For more info, go to www.crappiemasters.net.
Second Baptist Church in Union City will be hosting Sportsman’s Night Out on March 14th starting at 5:30 with a meal and having well known bass fisherman and TV Show host Hank Parker as their guest speaker. Tickets are $10 with limited tickets available. For more information, contact the church at 885-5223.
Fulton Kentucky First Baptist Church will be hosting a Wild Game Dinner March 23 at 6 p.m.  This will be held at the First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall, which is located on the church grounds at 115 Second Street at the corner of Eddings and Second Street  
Guest speaker is Johnny Wood, brother of retired South Fulton High School football coach Gwyn Wood. You can contact the church by calling 270-472-1663 or visit them on their website at www.fbcfulton.org
The Reelfoot Longbeards Chapter of the National Wildlife Turkey Foundation will be holding their annual banquet March 8 at 6 p.m. at the Union City National Guard Armory. This is located on East Reelfoot Ave. If you have any questions or for more information, you can contact Jason Craig at 731-697-6017.
The TWRA Hunters Education Course will be offered in Union City starting March 11 and will be held at the First Assembly Of God Church, 1810 Pleasant Valley Ave., Union City.
You must sign up online at www.tnwildlife.org. The class is 5 different nights from 6:30 until 9 p.m. and the live shoot day which is from 9 until 10 a.m. Dates are as follows: March 11, 12, 14, 19, 21 and the shoot day is the 23rd.
The course is offered free of charge to anyone interested regardless of age; however, you must be 9 or older in order to become a certified hunter education graduate.
If you would like to pass your tournament information along to our readers or anything else that concerns the outdoors, please do so by calling me at 446-3678 or emailing me at brentcallicott@gmail.com.
Til next week’s column,
Catch ya on the water folks.                   
                        — Brent

Published in The Messenger 2.15.13

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