SPRING FOR TERMINAL TACKLE TUNE UP
After flies are sorted it's time to inventory. I keep standard stock boxes sorted by size and by species for trout, bass, panfish, pike, steelhead, salmon and big and little saltwater fish. Over the years I've determined how many flies I need in each category. I mark these on the stock box lid. So after the fly census I know what I have to tie, buy or trade to fill my stock boxes before they're put away with a few mothballs until flies are needed.
LURES R' US
With lures the same system obtains, although you need to check more items. A couple of emery boards, some clear finish, steel wool, a wire bender, a pair of needle nose pliers and a fly or other small vice handles the tool side. You'll need extra split rings, extra treble, or my preference, nice long barb singles such as Siwash and a few swivels and other odds and ends.
Spoons are easy to fix and, incidentally, cheap to buy as kits. Polish any that need it, check the split rings and hooks with replacements as needed. Sharpen the hooks. That's it.
Spinners take a bit more fiddling. The clevis that holds most blades on the spinner may need a bit of judicious bending. I also like to make my spinners spin in opposite directions so that, by changing lures, I can reduce line twist. A pinch with pliers of the left or right side of the blade away from the clevis insures this.
Jigs are easy. Check the tails and replace any that need it. If heads are down to bare lead you can simply dip the head into paint. If you want eyes use square cut nails to put on a larger white or contrasting color circle. Then add a smaller dab of a second color after the first dries. Do pay close attention to hooks and sharpen as needed.
Plastic bodies, aside from a unfortunate habit of sticking together, are simple sorts. I keep odd worms and such to make my own lures. You can slit worms to make jig tails, "glue" worms together by melting - small soldering iron on low works - or make big worms into little jigs as you like.
Plugs require the most attention, and get it because of their cost. Hook hangers bend. Finishes crack. Hooks get broken or rusted. I like to replace trebles with large size singles. A bit of
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