If I had a dime for every time I paddled out and saw fish within casting distance before I was ready to start fishing, I could start taking baths in dimes. Once I decided to wait to paddle out until I was ready to fish, I was able to cast to those first signs of fish and start the day off right. These five steps will help make the most of your time on the water, starting with those first few paddle strokes.
5 Things To Always Do Before the Launch
1 Put On Your PFD!
Why you should be wearing your PFD needs no explanation, except: it’s the smart choice. If you fall in with your PFD on you’re more likely to be able to hop back on your boat and keep fishing. If you’re not wearing a PFD you could be in trouble.
Another reason to wear your PFD is because of all the tools you can have at your fingertips. Make sure all your essential tools like pliers, dive knife and VHF radio are attached securely, with the ability to be quickly released and used in a time of need. Using short gear lanyards will keep everything secure if you flip, but will still let you use the tool.
2 Tie One On
Rigging up the lures that you’re going to start fishing with will save the most time on the water, because you’ll already be ready to cast when you see signs of fish. If you’ve ever watch pro bass fishermen at the launch before a day of competition, you’ll see that they have ten rods all rigged up with fresh line and different baits. That way, throughout the day they rarely need to spend time changing lures, but instead can just pick up a different rod when they need to throw something else.
If you’re not sure what the fish will be biting on throughout the whole day, start general and then narrow your focus as the time passes and you gather more information. If you have a few rods, rig up lures that will fish many depths and cover large swaths of bait profiles. For example, if you’re fishing for largemouth bass with three rods, I’d rig up a weighted soft plastic, a spinnerbait and a topwater lure. That way you can fish multiple water columns, speeds and bait profiles without needing to change a single lure.
3 Clear the Deck
Before you push off from dry land, make sure to stow away anything you won’t need while fishing. Close all your tackle boxes and tuck them neatly out of the way. Close all your knives and pliers and secure them to your PFD or somewhere within easy reach. Make sure your hatches are closed and secured and your PFD is zipped up. Put your gaff or net behind you, but within easy reach.
With an empty deck you’ll have more room to fish, and if everything goes your way, more room to land the big ones. I have a friend who never flipped until the day he started fishing with his tackle box open in front of him. You don’t need to be a psychic to know those lures ended up at the bottom of the ocean. Don’t set yourself up for failure, but prepare for everything that you can.
4 Visualize and Prepare
Think about the entire process of landing the fish once you hook into something good. Where is your net or gaff? Will anything get in your way when landing the fish? What do you need to think about once you hook up?
If you can’t reach the net or gaff with one hand, move it. It’s useless otherwise. If you think your fish finder will tangle the line, move it or practice moving your rod high enough that it will stay clear. Check to make sure your rods clear the bow of the boat if a fish switches sides on you. If they don’t, know which ones can’t clear and plan to stretch accordingly, or switch rods.
5 Camera Check
You just landed a fish, removed the hook, and you lift the fish for a hero shot—but the camera is in your pocket. Don’t lose a chance at sweet bragging rights by forgetting to get your camera ready.
Make sure the camera is mounted in a safe position that won’t interfere with fishing. If it’s out of your reach, make sure you can control it with a remote or via Wi-Fi. Take a test shot before you launch to make sure your camera is working, the batteries are charged and there is enough space on your memory card. Then push off and go find yourself a photo-worthy trophy. You’re ready.
Being ready right away can give you a better chance at catching fish. | Feature photo: Courtesy Perception Kayaks
