Boat ahoy! So you’ve finally found the perfect fishing boat. Congratulations! Now the real fun begins—it’s time to prepare your boat for your first adventure together. See below for 3 essential items to take with you.
Source: Flickr1. GPS
During the Middle Ages, mariners navigated the seven seas using astrolabes, which determined the latitude of a ship at sea by measuring the altitude of the sun at noon or the meridian altitude of a star. The astrolabe, used in conjunction with the compass, contributed to Christopher Columbus’ stumbling upon the Americas.
But don’t worry—you won’t need to use an astrolabe. Navigation technology has improved exponentially since then. Analog tools have been replaced by advanced digital GPS/fishfinder combo devices, allowing you to plot your course and find your next catch all at once. While it does help to know how to navigate without technology as a safety precaution, a GPS simplifies and automates the process. No need for advanced boating knowledge. As long as you can read a manual, you can use a marine GPS to navigate your boat.
2. Fishing gear
You can’t fish without the right gear, and the basic equipment set should include:
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Fishing rod
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Line
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Bait
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A tackle box
Sounds simple, but the world’s oceans are filled with a multitude of different fish species, and there are almost just as many techniques to catch them. Some experts focus on fishing techniques, like fly fishing, while others focus on the species of a region.
That boils down to the fact that gear is specialized, so let the fishing conditions and the type of fish dictate what kind of gear you use. The line you use to catch freshwater salmon won’t really come into use when you’re trying to catch tuna. Where do you want to take your boat? Research what kind of fish are common in the area, and then go from there.
3. Safety equipment
Take a line out of the Boy Scout book: “always be prepared.” You never know when things may take a turn for the worst, so make sure you stock your boat with all the necessary pieces of safety equipment. The most essential is one life jacket per person. Remember that adult life jackets belong on adults. They are too loose and insecure for kids. If your boat has an inboard engine, you are required to have a fire extinguisher on board. Boats that are 16 feet or longer must carry visual distress signals—flares or smoke signals.
In the event of any minor accidents, make sure you have a basic first aid kit on hand. Make sure you have plenty of fresh water, non-perishable food, and a desalinator.
Fishing is a lot of fun as long as you have all the right equipment. Good luck!