Checklist for Opener

May 17 is almost upon us. Are you ready for opener? With the cold weather, a few lakes are still iced over. My favorite lake for May opener as of today has too much ice.

But I've got my checklist and I'm ready to fish the swollen river anyway.

• Jigs. Lots of them in various sizes. Especially Hair Jigs.
• Plastics. Dark colors and natural colors. I can't yet fool them with bright pinks and oranges and yellows.
• The river has a lot of snags in it this time of year. Eagle Claw Dual Lock Snaps, Size 1 are a must.
• New line. I like braided but it's truly a matter of preference. Check out the pros and cons of Monofilament, Flurocarbon and Braided line.
• Warm clothing. It's not the air temperatures that matter. It's the water temperatures this time of year. It will feel a lot colder on the water than on land.
• Check your boating safety kit. Is it dry with good batteries or has it been sitting in standing water at the bottom of the boat all winter? 
• Oh, and where's that thermos!? Come join me. I've got a hot cup of coffee waiting for you.