Preventative maintenance helps make fishing safer and a lot less headaches. After a busy season it was time to catch up and check out the boat and tow vehicle. I had a week with out trips so I took the boat in to go over the engine and change filters, oil, zincs, spark plugs, then lube everything up to keep it safe and working properly. It's expensive but saves money and problems down the road. Efficient engines burn less gas! My tow vehicle needed new tires and service so I got it caught up last week, too. I do still keep up on fishing by talking with several other captains. Everyone has slowed down on trips but they all agreed the fishing is fine. One captain reported plenty of tarpon around Boca Grande Pass and I expect some good action with the big tides of the New Moon Friday. Other captains reported reds, trout, and snook still improving and good already. Snapper are abundant and some Spanish are available. A few nice permit and lots of cuda were reported on the wrecks. Sounds like it's time to go fishing. I don't go a full week off the water very often and I'm looking forward to my next trip Monday morning. Let's Go fishin' soon. Captain Van Hubbard.