Safety First...

[cchobot]

Last year was unfortunately not without tragedy in the surf. With the new year upon us there are probably many getting ready to make their first trips to the surf. What tips would you pass along to help them stay safe and avoid injury?

I'll go first, two days ago I tried out my new waders but neglected to bring my korkers from home. Although these are felt-sole you probably can guess where I ended up. Thankfully nobody was around to see me end up on my backside. Next day I went w/ the korkers and could fish the area totally differently.

My tip: wear appropriate footware.

Anybody else have a tip?

[scottw]

yup, started wearing protective eyewear plugging at night, it's a little traumatic getting hung up, giving a tug and hearing something whistle by your head in the dark, the one time that I didn't have them on last fall I had a sluggo whack me in the cheek and it was a good reminder not to forget them, all of the hardware stores stock a pretty good line...

[merch]

If wading out on a dynamic sandbar and it starts to feel soft and "flowy" under your feet. Don't go any further.

Bring a compass in your pocket at night in case the fog decides to roll in. It is New England after all.

Tell someone where you are going to be. Even if it is your secret spot.

Always wear a belt on the OUTSIDE of your waders and jacket.

[mag minnow]

A couple...

buddy system: If at all possible have someone there with you. big difference if you have a problem. lucky to have someone to fish with who is obsessed as I am...

lip grip/boga grip: keeps you away from hooks and teeth. good for you and the fish.

backup light: extra light source in ziplock bag. can be handheld but must work no matter what.

spare car key and ID/CC: also in a ziplock bag. It will float.

good cigars: if you're not catching, at least you have a good smoke and a possible light source. if you are catching celebrate.

[scottw]

I always found that the short "stubby" cigars were a good idea if you were fishing with a conventional set up...

[kevin]

from lessons I have learned:

1. Medical tape or waterproof bandaid... DuckTape will work if you have nothing else. The last thing you want to do is end your night early after chopping up your hand on a hook, teeth, barnacles, etc...

2. DOUBLE CHECK your korkers... For some reason I always end up losing a spike or two when out on my rocks... but after losing a couple on each side, they basically don't work any more... so just double check.

3. to piggy back MERCH... ALWAYS let someone know where your spots are, I always tell my girl since I know she would never tell a soul where my spots are... but if you go down and hurt yourself... it can be a lonely night on a rock alone.

4. not really a safety tip... but try to always make sure you have somewhat of an idea of weather... Last season my buddy and I headed to a spot in Middletown SUNNY blue bird sky... Well a mile walk and a look over our shoulder to the north west and the blue sky turned GREY TO BLACK... long story short, we ended up cuddling each other under a rock while a VICIOUS thunder storm roled by. With metal spikes on our feet one strike of GOD and WE would have been FUBAR!!!

just my two cents.

safe fishing everyone

[Kevin J]

Good thread. One thing on eyewear comment. You can purchase the yellow tinted ones and they actually help you see better in low light and fog. I won't wear the yellow ones at night though. If they fall of or you remove them, your eyes take a minute to adjust and your night vision is really bad. couple more thoughts..

- Hook Snippers
- keep your cell phone in a zip lock and be sure the 911 GPS tracker is activated. Kind of morbid but if something happens, they can find you by "pinging" your phone. Most newer phones have this free technology.
- fish during the daytime on a bayside beach with no wave. You'll be safe and catch more fish becase they are lazy and don't like current, waves, rocks, night. They also don't like RI waters.

[scottw]

Kevin J, yes, apparently the yellow and red are helpful, I was looking through a diving catalogue and there were lenses in these colors for scuba diving that provided better vision and depth perception, also, the glasses help keep your eyes from watering when there's a strong wind in your face, didn't know about the cell phone thing...excellent point...

[scottw]

PS, Kevin J, I am however, disregarding your third bit of advice ...LOL

[basswipe]

At the first rumble of thunder walk away.Lightning can travel vast distances.

Saturday was a perfect example.