Night Fishing Boat Preparation 2
8. Some sort of bailing device should be on board. Pumps are useless
when the battery goes dead.
9. A radio with weather band capability is not only recommended
for day operation but is an essential piece of equipment at night.
Those clouds that look harmless that you see floating over can be
hiding a serious storm. The whole world could know about it but
if you have no means of hearing the warnings you can be caught by
nature’s worst.
10. Navigation tools, which are helpful in the daylight, become
absolutely essential for safety at night. Obviously your best choice
for nighttime operation would be a GPS. However, a compass would
be a considerable assistant in the dark. Not only is everything
different out there at night, but also things such as fog can move
in with no apparent warning and without a means of determining direction
you are dead in the water.
11. Personal floatation devices (properly fitted) for each person
on board are at the top of the list and should be worn by everyone
when fishing at night. Finding someone that has fallen overboard
in the daytime is generally easy, but in the dark can be quite difficult.
A throw able flotation device is also required equipment and should
be in a convenient location.
12. Make sure that your boat batteries have a full charge before
leaving home. In most states your boat lights have to remain on
throughout the night. Running a black light, electric trolling motor,
fish finders, and other gadgets can take a toll on the battery through
the course of a night trip. It may be wise to carry an extra battery
aboard just in case.
13. Insect repellent is a must. You should never leave the boat
ramp without a good bottle for those trips when the bugs are biting
more than the bass.
14. Evening tests. Make sure you are anchored securely and not
drifting. This is critical if you are fishing close to headlands
or structure where there is turbulent water. When you are settled,
get a radio check and try all lights on board before it gets dark,
so if there is a problem, it can be fixed before nightfall.
15. First aid kit, basic tools, manuals etc. are all recommended.
