The adage “getting there is half the fun,” has philosophical meaning in regards to many of life’s situations.

It also applies to preparing for a fishing trip.

That thought occurs to me as I pack for a multiday trip to Pymatuning Lake. A well-organized blueprint ensures you’ll have what you need when you’re miles from home, and in the process stimulates anticipation of adventures soon to unfold.

Using this upcoming trip as an example, pre-trip tasks included timely research on the fishery, doing routine maintenance of the boat trailer, and formulating a game plan applicable to the species I hope to target.

Much information can be gleaned from the comfort of home and can increase your odds of successful fishing.

In the case of Pymatuning, Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission biologists typically survey the lake soon after ice out to determine the health of the walleye population. A quick check with the fisheries biologist David Fray informed me adult walleye numbers are still good, but baitfish are numerous, as well. Pymatuning features a robust forage base that includes Gizzard shad. When shad numbers are high, the well-fed walleyes can be difficult to catch.

Armed with the information the walleye bite could be tough, as it was last year, inspired me to consider other options such as crappies.

Fray reported that despite intense fishing pressure, the lake’s crappie population appeared strong. My web research revealed Ohio Division of Wildlife’s interactive map showing the location of well over a dozen crib clusters in various depths. These spots were entered into the data base of my chartplotter for possible exploration.

As a prolific body of water, Pymatuning features an abundance of fish life. Besides walleyes and crappies, there are both largemouth and smallmouth bass, yellow perch, white bass, muskies and channel cats. Even during a weeklong trip, it would not be practical — time-wise or equipment-wise — to target too many species.

As I plan to focus on walleyes and crappies, the next step is packing the appropriate tackle. Walleyes can be (potentially) caught using a variety of casting and trolling tactics, so my rod, reel and lure choices will reflect this. Crappies will be easier as a small tackle bag loaded with light jigs and finesse plastics along with a couple light action spinning rods will fill things out.

The general pre-trip game plan gets you there. Once actual fishing begins to take place, it’s wise to have a more refined game plan.

With an assortment of fishing options, one can feel like the classic kid in a candy store. I have a bad habit of not always sticking with something as long as I should. I call it getting happy feet, jumping around from spot to spot or tactic to tactic.

Formulating a plan for a day’s fishing helps me stay disciplined enough to give things an honest chance to produce.

Though not as inspiring as perusing fisheries reports or sorting through tackle, giving the boat trailer a good going over reduces the chances of failure, something that would really put the kibosh to a good time.

The main items, in my humble opinion, are the wheel bearings and tires. I make sure the hubs are backed with fresh grease and the tires, spare included, are pumped up to at least 50 psi.

Boat trailers tend to take on the added task of being a utility trailer, as well, during longer outings, adding to the stress they experience — another reason to be sure all is right before pulling out of the drive.

Jeff Knapp is an outdoors columnist for the Butler Eagle.