Saltwater Fishing Safety Tips
Saltwater fishing has its own set of challenges and rewards. Understanding the nuances of saltwater fishing as well as some basic saltwater fishing tips will help ensure that you have a successful and safe trip. Planning a trip with experienced fishermen or hiring a fishing guide who will walk you through each step of the process is a great place to start. You are more likely to avoid fishing accidents if you understand what to do when a fish bites and how to clean it. Also, familiarize yourself with the equipment and know how to set up your bait, line and reel correctly.
If you or a loved one has experienced an accident while saltwater fishing, call a personal injury lawyer right away.
Saltwater Fishing Safety Tips
- Always wear a life jacket and make sure each passenger wears one too. The coast guard requires that there is a life jacket for every person on board.
- Only fish in permitted areas. If an area is “off limits” assume it is for your safety or to protect vegetation or wildlife.
- Always purchase the appropriate fishing license and follow the rules on number of fish.
- Choose your site and time of day carefully after looking at sun, moon, wind, tide, and weather reports.
- Pack safety items such as water, flashlights, maps, and a cell phone or radio.
- Always wear close toed shoes with good rubber grips.
- Come prepared for an array of weather conditions. Dress in layers with cool clothes first, covered with warmer layers and then a water and wind protection outer layer.
- Wear bug repellant and sunscreen. Bring a sun hat and sunglasses and keep your shoulders covered. Sunlight reflected off the water can intensify the chance of a sunburn.
- The tools used to catch and prepare fish are sharp and should be handled carefully.
- Be cautious when baiting or removing hooks
- Keep fishing knives sharp and covered in a case when not in use.
- Have someone teach you how to clean a fish safely.
- Pack a first-aid kit.
- Invest in a GPS tracking device. Their signal can help others find you even in the fog and keep you connected to people in the boats around you.
- Become familiar with the waterways in the areas you plan to fish. Studying navigation charts can help to give you an idea of the best place to catch fish as well as areas to avoid for safety reasons.
- Watch out for seaweed and kelp floating on the top of the water. Try to avoid driving your boat through it if possible but if your trolling motor or fishing poles gets tangled up in it the best thing to do is stop and pull out the strings until you are free.
If you or a loved one were injured in an accident, you have enough to deal with. Let an experienced accident attorney fight for the full compensation that you deserve. It is not uncommon to receive a settlement from the insurance company that is five to ten times bigger with the help of a lawyer. Call the caring accident attorneys at Tario & Associates, P.S. in Bellingham, WA today for a FREE consultation! We have been representing residents of Whatcom County, Skagit County, Island County and Snohomish County since 1979. You will pay nothing up front and no attorney fees at all unless we recover damages for you!
