Going fishing for the first time can be nerve-wracking, and inexperienced anglers should consider these safety tips before venturing onto the water. From learning how to harness a reel properly to checking your boat thoroughly before getting on board, here are some easy tips to keep you safe while out on the lake. Every great outdoorsman needs to know how to operate a fishing reel properly. The rotation keeps the line taut as the bait is reeled in. If you are still getting familiar with how to use one, it could result in a fish jumping out of the water and running off with your bait.
1. Safety Comes First
Safety should always be your number one concern when navigating the waters of a lake or river. Knowing how to handle fish safely is paramount to ensuring that you do not catch a double-digit fish or, worse, someone else’s hand-me-down cast-off.
2. Review Your Personal Gear
An essential part of keeping yourself safe on the water is knowing how to use all the gear that you have at hand before stepping into the water for the first time. Always check all hooks, lures, and baits before loading into your boat.
3. Learn How To Harness A Reel Properly
Nothing is more frustrating than losing a great catch because you were unsure how to harness the reel on your fishing pole. Learning how to handle a spin properly will save you time and effort.
4. Look for Trouble Early
Pay attention in all directions while on the water, especially towards other boats and boaters. Even if another ship is not physically too close, its wake or movement could cause your boat to tip or list, which could cause trouble and frustration for everyone involved.
5. Always Check the Depth of Your Fishing Spot Before Getting into the Water
Making sure you are fishing where the fish are saves you the potential frustration of not catching anything and prevents those “double take” moments when your pole tip flies into the water, and you wonder where it has gone.
6. Be Aware of Swimmers and Boaters
Even if boats are limited to a certain speed on most lakes, there may still be swimmers and boaters out on the water. Like a shark chasing its prey, these people usually know what they are doing and can get to their desired locations much quicker than you could.
7. Always Have a Fully Stocked First Aid Kit
Even the best fishermen, who may have fished the same spot for years, fall victim to the occasional accident. Always be sure that you have a fully stocked first aid kit and know how to use it before hitting the water.
Anglers can take many safety measures to keep themselves and others out on the water safe. By ensuring you are familiar with how to safely handle your equipment, how to harness a reel properly, and knowing how to get your boat or yourself out of any potential trouble caused by other ships or swimmers, there is very little room for error when fishing in a lake or river.