Fishing season is about to start up, but a lot of fishermen aren’t physically conditioned to go at it all day like they need to. This is the time of year when I get to the gym on a regular basis and try to lose some of the extra weight I picked up over the holidays. I’ll do plenty of sit-ups and anything else that will strengthen my back, shoulders and neck. Spinal aches and pains are common among fishermen, who tend to stand up all day. As far as I’m concerned, if I’ve got an ache or pain somewhere, I can’t focus on fishing. So I want to be as physically fit as possible when I get out there on the water.

Another thing I think a lot of fishermen ignore this time of year is their raingear and sunscreen. Spring weather will be warm one day and cold the next; sunshine one day and rain the next. A good rainsuit will help keep you warm and dry as well as less likely to catch bad colds. Also, you need to throw out that old sunscreen and get a new bottle. This is the season when you definitely want to be wearing good sunscreen with a high SPF (sun protection factor) when you go fishing. Most of us have been indoors for a while and gotten pale, so it doesn’t take much to get sunburned.

If you’re going to be serious about fishing, you’ve got to get yourself in shape and do the things you need to do so you can concentrate on catching fish.

— Evinrude pro Andy Morgan of Dayton, Tenn.