Fall is a great time of year to go fishing. In fact, some might even argue that it is the best time of year to go fishing. We want you to continue enjoying the sport. When it comes to fishing, safety is what either makes a great fishing trip or the lack of safety procedures could end the trip with someone getting hurt. Use these safety rules your next time on the water to you keep you and your crew safe. Fishing safety starts before you even leave home. You first need to prepare for your fishing trip. Preparing starts with checking the forecast. Just because the weather looks good right now doesn't mean that it will be like that all day. Keep an eye on the sky and the weather app on your phone. Being prepared also means dressing appropriately for the day. Dressing in layers and ending with a water/wind protection layer. Appropriate foot gear is required for safety. No sandals or bare feet allowed. Your goal is to stay dry and warm.
Another way to prepare yourself before departure is to pack the extra item that you will need on board including water, flashlights, maps, insect repellent and cellphone or radio. Keeping these extra safety items in the boat are helpful in emergency situations. Another important safety tip to remember is to always keep your fillet knives sharp. You wouldn't want to be out on an unstable boat trying to sharpen a knife or worse trying to hack away at a fish with a dull one.
When you are on the water, make sure to wear your life vest at all times. Having it within reach does not count as wearing it. during an emergency you will not think or be able to grab it before hitting the water. Put it on before leaving shore. Once out on the water, use caution when you bait or remove hooks. They are sharp and the boat is constantly moving so make sure to handle the fish carefully. Because of those reasons, you should always use safety glasses when you are casting.
One of the most important tips to remember is do not fish in areas where it is not permitted. They are off limits for a reason, usually to protect wildlife, vegetation, or for your safety. When you choose your fishing spot, always consider safety factors.
With these tips you can help to ensure the safety of you and those around you while fishing on the water. From your experiences on the water, would you have any other fishing safety tips to add? Let us know.
