Step 1 kill the flopping fish. Could probably even use those fancy cutters to denoggonize it 

9 hours ago, txchaser said:

I have only my non-dominant hand free, and the other hand is hooked. Maybe even a flopping fish on the other treble. I'm alone. Now what? 

 

1. Regret not crushing the barbs on your hooks.

 

2. Regret trying to save some loot when you purchased a cheap small bolt cutter.

 

 

All of us veterns of fishing alone and getting ... BARBED HOOKS.. buried in our hands ?

 

CRUSH down all barbs.  It is really that simple.  I can still see the look in the eyes of the E R staff as I described how I ripped 5 barbed holes in the right palm. They all agreed I could have severed nerves and lost control of fingers.  

 

No one taught me about the dangers of barbs.

Cold Water Shock

 

Cold Shock And Swimming Failure

 

 

With all the cold water talk, I highly recommend doing a controlled swim when water is below 40. I also duck hunt and i'm on the water as much as during the warmer months. You do not want your first time in cold water to be at 5am in the dark wading, paddling, boating in. Having the exposure in a controlled environment and being able to tread, breathe and react will add minutes. 

 

Check your local charities, lots of polar plunges going on now. 

 

I'd also recommend keeping a dry bag handy. Sweat pants, sweat shirt, water bottle/protein bar, fire starter/matches, survival blanket and paracord. 

^Excellent advice. Experience never hurts 

35 minutes ago, osummerer23 said:

I highly recommend doing a controlled swim when water is below 40.

 

On 2/11/2024 at 6:36 AM, TnRiver46 said:

Step 1 kill the flopping fish. Could probably even use those fancy cutters to denoggonize it 

Funny thing, they are heavy enough that they get used for that more than cutting hooks. Quick knock and they are done.

Always baffles me the number of deaths on the water that are 95% preventable if you wear a PFD.  I would be lying if i said i wear mine 100% of the time but on flatwater I am always wearing my inflatable and on the river I am 99% of the time as well.  I have not worn it before when fishing super shallow water and basically my kayak is acting more like stilts to wade.  I do know that not much different than when I don't put my seatbelt on right away, it feels off when I do not have it on.  Inflatables are so much better and I only wear my traditional style when air temperatures warrant it.

On 2/9/2024 at 1:54 PM, padlin said:

When I retired at 56 I bought my Mustang inflatable and a pair of studded wading boots for solo night striper fishing off the breakwaters in RI, a lot can go wrong on a rainy windy night. Secondary use was for the canoe although it’s now flip flopped.

 

I had a friend who went in while fishing a jetty in North Jersey in November. He had cleats but no PFD because no one used them in those days. He was eventually able to get out. I remember him telling me that the rock he was clinging to had his fingerprints embedded in it. 

 

Here is a funny clip from YouTube. A reporter in Norway was wearing his PFD while doing a story and it went off.

 

 

8 hours ago, Dogface said:

 

I had a friend who went in while fishing a jetty in North Jersey in November. He had cleats but no PFD because no one used them in those days. He was eventually able to get out. I remember him telling me that the rock he was clinging to had his fingerprints embedded in it. 

 

Here is a funny clip from YouTube. A reporter in Norway was wearing his PFD while doing a story and it went off.

 

 

Thank you for posting this!  I had such a great laugh!!!!!!!

This video goes beyond wearing a life jacket.  Really it should be viewed by anyone that floats on the water.

 

 

Good video. Another item that is often overlooked is a blunt tip dive knife. It needs to be readily accessible and can be used to cut oneself free of anchor lines or fishing line in an emergency. This is more of a kayak  scenario. I have mine lashed to the shoulder strap of my PFD.