The beginning of a new year is a great time to reflect on the fishing year past, what worked and what did not, and to anticipate the upcoming season. But for those that do not ice fish, or spend much time bearing the cold of winter for a trip to a local river or warm-water discharge, winter can make spring's fishing seem years away.

Preparation now is the key for a great season, so to beat the wintertime blues try a few of these suggestions.

Tackle Preparation

Take an inventory of your equipment. If you are like me, your equipment takes a beating. So ask yourself the following questions. Do reels need to be repaired, or has your favorite rod been broken? Do rod tips need to be replaced? Look at your line supply, what will be needed for next season? How about lures? Often lure supplies dwindle as the season ends and will need to be replaced. Is your tackle box cracked or are all the baits in disarray? Make a list of the types of rods, reels, line, lures, terminal tackle, and electronics that need to be repaired or purchased.

While watching your favorite sporting event or television program, take a couple of baits and sharpen the hooks, or remove the paint from jig eyes, maybe organize that tackle box. Take the time to clean and grease reels and inspect rod guides for nicks. Do a little at a time, this can be tedious and boring. Set your goals so that by spring all the equipment will be ready.

Plan for the Big Trip

Every angler usually takes at least one big fishing trip. Now is the time to decide where to go. Most resorts are not booked at this time and it is best to get friends to commit to a trip early so that everyone can prepare properly. Narrow the possible destinations to a few places and do your final investigations at the sport shows.

At the sport show take the time to talk to all the resort owners in the area or areas that you are thinking of visiting. Look closely at accommodations and everything that comes in the resort's package. If the price and accommodations seems about right, look for pictures of the previous years catch. Make sure the photos are recent. Every resort claims to have great fishing, but pictures are the real proof. Sometimes it is worth paying a little more for better fishing.

Also get the names of references of past visitors of the resort. A quick call to them usually can confirm the resorts expectations. Ask the resort owner about the best time to visit. Again look for pictures for support. The weeks when the resorts are usually most full are the best, so try to plan the trip in and around that time.

Winter is also the time to talk to local guides and tackle shops in the area you are planning to visit. It is no problem finding out what lakes are the best, at a given time. Usually the guides are looking to book new customers and will clue you in on hot lakes and times, and tackle shops will be free with the information hoping you will patronize their shop when you arrive.

If you wait until you arrive for your trip to obtain information on hot lakes and lures, expect guides to be tight-lipped with this information. By then guides are heavily involved with their customers, and tackle shops are busy and less willing to spend the time giving out information. So take the time in winter to be an investigator and ask the right questions.

Maximize the Sport Shows

The winter sport shows are a great opportunity to get fired up for the upcoming season. It is a great time to gather trip information, see new products, learn from seminars, and make wise purchases on needed equipment.

Having taken an inventory of your equipment and discussed possible areas for a fishing trip, you can go to the sport show with an agenda. Take a look at the new equipment and see if it can help you and if it is really what you need. It is usually better to not get caught up in gimmick items, but stick to quality, proven equipment.

There is no question that the best buys are usually available at these shows. Retailers are in a very competitive market at this time, and inventories are large. Therefore, it is not uncommon to see special deals that will not be available at any other time. This includes everything from tackle to boats and motors. Without a doubt, this is the time to make your purchases.

Develop a Knowledge Base

Take the time to attend seminars or purchase a book or video. Knowledge is the key to fishing success, and usually the sport shows have numerous top-notch professionals giving free information that can help everyone. Also a book or video will help the winter pass more quickly and may spark some new ideas or approaches on fishing your favorite area.

Also purchase lake maps or gather as much information as possible on an area of interest. Fishing magazines are filled with information. Begin to read or re-read articles to increase your knowledge of a particular subject.

Winter does not have to mean the end of the fishing season, but the beginning of the "off-the-water" season. Taking inventory, preparing tackle, planning trips, attending sport shows, and learning about fishing are really what make this sport so great.