11TH-HOUR CHECKLIST.

You have changed the line, greased the reels and arranged all your gear for the big event. Do you have everything?

Here are some items you may not have thought of that should be carried along with your tackle box:

Stringer, creel or wire basket: Make sure all the hooks and snaps on the stringer are in good shape. We'd hate for you to get the blame for losing your partner's limit because your corroded metal stringer parted ways with the boat.

Filler spools: If the propeller nicks the only line you have, you're out of luck. Carry extra spools of 2-, 4- and/or 6-pound line.

Rod-building cement: Handy if the last guide - the tiptop - comes off (a common malady). Having an extra guide or two on hand isn't a bad idea, either.

Wader adhesive: It takes only one tear to forever remember bringing glue. We recently read that a plastic worm heated with a cigarette lighter will do the trick in a pinch.

Paraffin wax: You'll thank us if the ferrules - connector parts between sections - on your best rod become loose and the top half of the pole catches air on the cast. Apply residue to the ferrule to make it fit snugly again.

Rod holder: This underutilized shore-fishing accessory will put more fish on your stringer because it keeps the line off the water - making strikes easier to detect. It also keeps the reel out of the dirt. No need to purchase one; fashion it from a notched branch . . . before you find there are no trees or bushes at your lake of choice.