Fishing Safety and Preparedness

Although fishing is known for relaxation and can be a very therapeutic activity, portions of it can also be dangerous. Knowing how to be prepared and stay safe while reeling in the big ones can make for a much happier fishing trip.

Bring the right tools.

Anyone can catch a fish and reel it in! That part of fishing isn't so much the challenge. However, what do you do when that sucker is in the boat or on the shore, kicking around like mad and very hard to get a hold of? For this reason, I recommend wearing a fillet glove and always having needle-nosed pliers handy. The fillet glove is designed in a way that will let your hand breathe, so it won't sweat all day while you wait for a catch. Also, bring plastic bags or a sack of some sort to place the caught fish into. Bringing them home in your pockets gets messy quick!

Be careful when casting!

Whenever you cast out bait or a lure, look around keenly each and every time. If someone is walking behind you, they could catch a fishing hook and get hurt bad - I have seen it happen. Also, be aware of where trees and bushes are, so that the cast is smooth and does not get permanently lodged somewhere! Do not cast where people are swimming under any circumstances.

Wear proper footwear.

Whether you are fishing from a boat, from a dock, or from the shore, it is very important to wear proper footwear. If possible, sandals or open toed shoes should be avoided. Tennis shoes are a bit better, but a heavy hiking or walking boot is always best. They will have much better resistance to slipping and protect the feet from just about everything one could encounter while fishing.

Be careful when dislodging hooks from fish.

This is where the pliers and glove can come into play. Fish are not happy about being caught, and will fight hard not to be. It takes a lot of practice and patience to successfully remove a fishing hook from the mouth of an upset fish. Also, some fish bite and have nasty teeth, so it is best to protect yourself, and go by the book at all times. Use the glove, use the pliers, and if you are a novice at fishing, always fish with someone experienced.

Wear sunscreen, sunglasses, and an effective hat.

The water reflects sunlight and UV rays, which means it's extremely easy to get burnt while fishing. It is much better to go heavy on the sunscreen and overprotect than to live through three days of pain from not using it. Sunglasses are important, and the models with Polarized lenses are superb for fishing, because they take most or all the glare off of the water. Also, wearing hats or caps with large brims is a very smart idea, even on overcast days. UV rays do not stop just because you cannot see the sun!