Fishing Safety Tips for Beginners

Fishing is an exciting activity that is not without risks for both beginners as well as experienced anglers. Fishing safety tips for beginners are essential to follow to mitigate the risks of injury on a given day. You should carry with you the essential fishing equipment along with precautionary measures to avoid any mishap on an otherwise enjoyable fishing day and catch maximum fish.

    This article will cover fishing safety tips for beginners for all water conditions from all fishing locations like fishing from boats or shore. Similarly, as an angler, you must be aware of the expected fishing challenges like cuts, falls, and line issues.

Fishing Safety Tips for Beginners: Basics

     Here is the list of fishing safety tips for beginners that you need to ensure before heading for the fishing journey.

1. Fishing License

The first and foremost thing is to arrange a fishing license keeping in view the local fishing regulations according to the water bodies you have under consideration. If you don’t arrange one for yourself, you might have to kick the turf. 

2. Life Jacket

If you have boat fishing or fishing deep waters in your plan, your most important fishing equipment is the life jacket. Everyone around you must have one for him/herself.

3. Weather Awareness

  Checking weather conditions before moving out for fishing is very essential tip among fishing safety tips for beginners. If any thunderstorms or other ominous weather conditions are predicted, postpone the activity. The thing is you should respect such water conditions. But even if you have headed and a storm catches you, stay low in the center of your boat.

4. Wear sunglasses

   It is one of the important fishing safety tips for beginners. You must have protective eyewear, especially for your kids. If you want to avoid eye strain or want to spot fish, wear polarized sunglasses.

5. Extra Safety Items

       Keep some extra safety items with you. These items include:

• Water to keep dehydration away on hot days.
• Mobile phone or radio.
• Maps.
• Flashlights.

6. Proper Gear

       Once you have targeted a particular fish species to catch during fishing, use proper gear for that. And make sure that these gears are in commanding condition to fish smoothly and fearlessly. These gears include:

• Proper footgear
• Proper clothing to protect yourself from insects.
• Rain and wind gear.
• Sneakers or boat shoes to keep kids warm.

7. First Aid Box

As mentioned in the intro, injuries are the worst part of any fishing expedition. It is vital to keep it in mind while handling fishing safety tips for beginners because you never know where you are going to come across an injury or bitten by insects. Therefore, you must have a first aid kit as part of your fishing equipment. The first aid kit should possess the following items:

• Surgical tapes
• Antiseptic wound cleansers.
• Gauze pads.
• Antibiotic creams.
• Insect repellents.
• Band-aids.

8. Spot and Timing

   Avoid fishing in prohibited areas. Moreover, check weather conditions regularly besides collecting information about the tide timings. Make all necessary arrangements to deal with unprecedented weather conditions.

    Further on, the best timings for fishing are early and late hours because fish become active during these hours. If it is cloudy, then you can fish during mid-day hours. As far as summer fishing is concerned, fish under the shade. 

9. Avoid Fishing Alone

   It is pertinent to let our fishing friends know that they should not fish alone. Rather, they should take some friends with them. Likewise, your family should also be aware of all your departure and arrival plans.

10. Fishing Lures: Color, Shape and Sizes

    Color: The color of the lure should match to the color of the water.  Color preferences are given as under:

• Lime or chartreuse color is perfect in green water.
• Root beer is productive in tannic-stained water.
• Prefer white or pearl color for clear water.

     Shapes And Sizes: Follow the “match the hatch” rule as far as shapes and sizes of the lures are concerned. The fish will not like biting a heavier lure.

11. Fishing Line

         There are countless brands available of fishing lines. Therefore, it is wise to make a wise selection about the fishing line. However, it is better to go for braid lines while fishing with lures because braid lines have high sensitivity and good hook-setting power. For baits, a monofilament line is useful due to its lesser sensitivity.

12. Flotation Device

      If kids are going with you, keep them in canoes or boats. Additionally, make them wear personal flotation devices.

13. Hooks

      It is advisable to always use new hooks or to sharpen old hooks for catching maximum fish.

14. Do the Homework

     Pre-fishing homework is essential regarding fishing methods and targets. You should set your plan accordingly to stay comfortable.

Conclusion

        Fishing is an activity full of fun and excitement. But it does not come without risks, injuries, or challenges for all types of anglers. Therefore, following fishing safety tips for beginners is really key to coming out successful on a fishing day. The tips discussed in the article will certainly help you in this regard.

 FAQs

1. What should I do if I get hooked?

Ans. It is not a matter of panic. Just stay calm to remove the hook. If it still remains there, call for medical help. However, patience is key.

2. Should beginners fish alone?

Ans.    It is pertinent to let our fishing friends know that they should not fish alone. Rather, they should take some friends with them. Likewise, your family should also be aware of all your departure and arrival plans.

3. Are all water sources fish edible?

Ans. Not all water bodies of fish are edible. Seek guidance from locals in this regard.