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Bow and stern lights are required and essential equipment on your boat and they must be lit when visibility is reduced. Striking unseen objects at night is
most often reported nighttime accident and unlit boats lead as those unseen objects. The temptation to venture forth without proper lighting is not only illegal, but also extremely foolish.
A proper and fully functional warning device (horn) becomes a vital piece of equipment in darkness. It can be used to warn approaching craft as to your presence and also can be used to draw attention in event of problems arising. Although not required unless off shore, visual distress signals (flares) should be on board.
An approved type fire extinguisher that is currently dated should be onboard and in a convenient and ready location. During a fire is no time to find out that extinguisher will not function because it is out of date.
A paddle is required (for smallish boats), not optional equipment, and again should be in a convenient and accessible location.
An anchoring device with adequate line in both size and length for your boat. Deployment of anchor should occur at first sign of trouble to keep your boat in its present safe location. Too often then anchor is last thing thought of and boats end up drifting into dangerous situations.
Some sort of bailing device should be on board. Pumps are useless when battery goes dead.
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 warnings you can be caught by nature’s worst.
Navigation tools, which are helpful in 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 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 water.
Personal floatation devices (properly fitted) for each person on board are at top of list and should be worn by everyone when fishing at night. Finding someone that has fallen overboard in daytime is generally easy, but in dark can be quite difficult. A throw able flotation device is also required equipment and should be in a convenient location.
Make sure that your boat batteries have a full charge before leaving home. In most states your boat lights have to remain on throughout night. Running a black light, electric trolling motor, fish finders, and other gadgets can take a toll on battery through course of a night trip. It may be wise to carry an extra battery aboard just in case.
Insect repellent is a must. You should never leave boat ramp without a good bottle for those trips when bugs are biting more than bass.
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.
First aid kit, basic tools, manuals etc. are all recommended.
Check The Weather
As obvious as this one is, too many people forget to do a simple check of forecast. Try to pick a night where weather forecast is good. It is tough enough to move around in dark as it is. Bad weather makes it even harder. This can really “make or break” your fishing trip.
Copyright 2005 EveningSecretFishing.com Fishing
Long-Time Fisherman and friend of EveningSecretFishing ( http://www.eveningsecretfishing.com/specialsecret/Night_Fishing_Preparation.php)
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