Prepare now to fish next spring -- and this winter

It's less than two weeks before the clocks fall backward. For many anglers, that is a sure sign that it's time to get the gear ready for winter storage.

While some fishermen will brave the conditions to hit the water one last time, I am getting ready to pack it away and make sure everything is in order for next season.

So for those anglers ready to put things away, here are some tips to remember to ensure your gear is stored in tip-top shape.

Rods
The first thing to mention about rods might seem pretty obvious, but it's always important to remember. Make sure you have space. The last thing anyone wants is to shuffle fishing rods around all winter every time you need to get the shovels or snowblower out. Put your rods in a dry, out-of-the-way position.

Moving beyond the basics, it's always important to store your rods horizontally when you are putting them away for a long time. Stacking them this way can help reduce the amount of tension on the rods and help you make them last longer.

But there's no need to rush out and buy a fancy rod rack. A couple nails and an open wall will do the trick for a fraction of the cost.

Also, take some time to check the eyelets throughout each rod. Replace any that need to be taken care of and if any rods are looking drab and in need of a new handle, that might make a nice winter project to help fight cabin fever.

Reels
Reels are probably the most important element of winter storage. Now is the time to get them all in their best shape so when the excitement of next season comes around, you're ready to fish and not spending time lubricating everything.

To get your reels ready, start by cleaning them. Some water and a rag will do the trick with some very mild cleaning solutions if need be. A nice shine on your reels will help keep them looking sharp.

When you start greasing the reel, apply lubricant to all moving parts. I prefer to use store-bought reel lubrication, but I know many anglers who will simply use a household lubricant like WD-40.

After you've taken the reels apart, lubed them up and put them back together, store them in a warm, dry place. I also like to stick them in old clean socks to for the winter to protect them from dust and other contaminants. Generally, keeping your reels inside is your best bet. Rods are OK outside, but I prefer to keep the reels indoors in the bottom of a drawer.

Tackle

There's not too much to say about tackle except to suggest that you take time now to organize. During a regular fishing season, my tackle gets so dismantled I can't find anything. As with the other gear, take time to get it in order now so you don't need to spend time next spring.

Always store your tackle in a dry spot to avoid any rusting problems on hooks and lures.

Other preparations

Those three categories will put your gear away well for the winter. However, the same weekend I put fishing gear away I always get my ice fishing tackle in order.

Line up any reels and tip-ups, make sure your tackle is working, get the shanty out of storage and just freshen everything up as needed.

The most important part of ice gear prep is your auger. Give your power auger a run, after freshening up the oil and fuel to make sure everything is running well. Whether you have a power auger or not, check the blades. Any ice angler who has spent 20 minutes drilling through one and a half feet of ice will tell you how crucial it is to have sharp blades.

Following these quick tips will make your transition from open water to hard water and back again go a lot smoother.