Though despite that fact, I have discovered a number of things one can do in their down time, depending on how long it is, that will make your time fishing come the long awaited spring that much more productive. Here are a few of the things I do during winter, to my tackle and other fishing accouterments, that keep me occupied and make for better fishing in the spring. We all own one. It's the reel that no matter what you do to it, it will continue to squeak. Now is the time to get to those trouble reels, oil, clean, and respool them in time for spring.
Reel oil is available from a number of sources and manufactures, all of which are very effective.
Its much less stress inducing to find malfunctioning ones now, rather than letting a five pound smallie find one in May. In the event that you do find malfunctioning parts, taking care of it now allows plenty of time to ship in new parts so they are ready come game time. If you are as bored as I am right now clipping excess bits of knots and line from split rings and eyelet's can provide hours of entertainment that would otherwise be spent thinking about fishing. I like to change hooks, making sure to upgrade all my stock, out of the package hooks, to far more durable and more effective after-market brands. Also, I make any adjustments to the baits that I need to, replacing split rings, and any other terminal component.