Gear for fishing..

[Chris Nordling]

What gear other than the obvious (rods/reels, tackle, life jackets, etc...) do you take along driftboating? What type of safety gear ? I was just tyring to fine tune this list :
1. Extra rope ( length yet tbd )
2. Fold up mini-saw (sometimes a limb just has to go.....)
3. Small first aid kit
4. Change of socks (multi purpose)
Can you help add to my list? I try to go with as little gear/weight as possible. Some of my fellow fishing friends need to bring the kitchen sink almost to be fishing. Even if it stays in the truck during the trip, either bank or boat, it's too much for me if we don't need it. What does everyone else think? I like an extra change of clothes and some snacks waiting for me when I'm done, just to dry out and feel refreshed for the drive home. What do you allow your guests of the day to bring? Just curios...

Chris

~ Team U.S.A.~

[rcl187]

You should think about splicing loops in the ends of a rope (75' or so) and having it coiled up in a spot that is easily accessable. On each end attach a quick snap (carabeaner for climbing). This comes in handy should you ever happen to swamp or run into someone who has. You just hook one end to the swamped boat and run the other end to shore, wrap the rope around a tree and hook it on to itself. The current will then push the swamped boat to shore so it won't be lost. We always do this when canoeing or kayaking and its helped alot. I don't know why it wouldn't work on a drift boat.

[Vinny]

Get one of those fancy little underwater camera systems with the remote lens so you can see what you're not catching.

I don't know where they're sold or how much they cost, but I've heard that they're pretty cool.

[Chris Nordling]

Thanks rcl187 for the reply. I was thinking 100' with the attachments you mentioned. Anyone else ? Guides, what else goes with you ? David, Marty, anyone ...?

Thanks,
Chris

~ Team U.S.A.~

[Bubzilla]

You might want to ad a throw bag to your list of safety gear. I carry one hooked to my seat. It's out of the way, but easily accessible in an emergency. After all, you never know when one of those fools you take fishing is going to go overboard on you!

Of course an extra oar is a must too--I'm always shocked how many boats I see drifting without one.

[Chris Nordling]

Vinny,
How about going half ? I only carry a camera to take photos of the fish I catch, not the ones left for everyone else ! :grin: Usually low on film.... BTW how have those shrimpies treatin' ya ? You never answered my e-mail back about the fresh ones.
Bubzilla, what's a throw bag ? I have a cushion, but no bag. Sounds more compact. I'm also working the extra oar thing out right now. Definite must have for winter time.
Thanks guys, keep'em coming :smile:

Chris

~Team U.S.A.~

[SSPey]

salty snacks to go with the cold ones!!

really, a lifeguard type whistle is important, carries much better than the human voice, cheap, small.

A strong flashlight for who knows what.

and that extra oar isn't much use without an extra oarlock!

[FM2]

I keep an extra set of plugs

A hand pump to pump out the water in those downpours, almost anything will work but I'm kinda partial to my pump.

TP paper in ziplock bag

extra bungee cords

whistle

throw cushion

extra rain gear (ya never know when your buddy will forget his)

can of WD-40

I try to travel pretty light and keep this stuff in my dry box.

My $.02

[Chris Nordling]

FM2-
Have you been peeking in my boat? :grin: All of those items are found in my boat too . Floatnfish good call on the oarlock, I suppose one should throw in an extra pin or two.
Since we're on the subject of ropes etc. does anyone have a good plan on keeping anchor rope from curling into circles in the bucket ? I have this problem with my anchor pulling system, everytime I pull it out from the previous trip it's really hard to send thru the pulley and ball set up. Any ideas on this subject as well? Thanks again.

Chris


~ Team U.S.A.~

[Bubzilla]

A throw bag is a bag filled with rope--usually 3/8--designed for river rescue. They're available at vitually all river supply stores, and are standard equipment on most whitewater craft, e.g., rafts. They are really simple to use: you open the bag, put your arm through the loop in the end of the rope, toss the bag to your suddenly drift-boatless buddy, and pull him in. They're sometimes referred to as rescue bags as well. Much more effective than a cushion--although I keep one of those under the fly deck for slow water mishaps.

As mentioned above, extra oar locks and plugs are must have too. I must admit having learned the last one the hard way once on a John Day drift. A whistle is a good idea as well.

[fish_on]

Instead of a bailing bucket I use a big sponge. I stores better and is quicker than a bucket or pump. The ones I use are 4x6x4 they sure hold lots of water.

[Gizmo Man]

I also have a small heater (Mr. Heater Jr.) with a couple of small propane bottles, extra knife, lighter and matches, candle, extra rope to hook onto the anchor in case the anchor is stuck and you can row to side and walk back up and try to pull it free.


For Chris on the extra oar, try a carlie al. oar. Buy a short shaft then 1' extenders and the blade. It all breakes down for easy storage.

I also have a golf umbrella for those heavy downpours and some heavy rubber gloves for rowing in the rain.

Giz..

[Chris Nordling]

Thanks fellow fishers and rowers, any more ? How bout that anchor rope question?
Chris

~ Team U.S.A. ~

[FM2]

FWF, I use 3/8" gold braid rope for my anchor. I have a four pulley system and run about 50' of rope. This rope is very limber and I just coil it it oblong lengths (2 1/2-3')on the floor of the boat. In 10 years it has never been in the way of anything and you don't have to deal with coiling the rope in the bucket.

Hope this helps!

[Jennie@ifish]

We always carry this (I don't know what it is called), but it is a metal pole with a gaff on it. Not for gaffing fish, but for pushing us from shore, or pulling things out of trees, or pushing us if we get stuck on rocks.
I don't know, sounds weird, but we use it all the time while drifting!
Jen

[bait boy]

Would that be a boat hook Jen? They work great for grabbing crab traps also.

Rick

[Jennie@ifish]

It may be! I don't know... OK, shall I put this in the most embarrassing section?
:blush: