I'm a small hobby operator as well, and here's my take on it. If you're using new taps there's no particular disadvantage to tapping early. With used taps, you'll probably be costing yourself at the end of the season. According to research that I've seen (tips hat to Dr. Perkins) season-old or older taps contain bacteria which will start to shut down the tap hole as soon as the temperatures rise to around 50 degrees ambient temperature. It can cost you as much as 25% of your season. This year I'm switching to the clear seasonal taps with checkvalves. I run tubing, not buckets; your mileage may vary. That being said, I'm at 800 feet elevation with a North-facing bush with mostly reds, so I'm not going all-in until the weekend of the 23rd. Good luck.