This time of the year, most game fish seasons aren’t open on inland waters but several federal bodies of water are still open to fishing with special regulations. Captain Patrick Kalmerton reminds us that your main responsibilities as an angler are 1) to know the rules and regulations and 2) safety – which is even more important during this early, colder part of the year.
When it comes to your most essential safety gear to have on board, life jackets and often a throwable flotation device are mandatory in most states. You might not think you need it and don’t have to wear it all the time, but don’t forget that life jackets do save lives, especially in the coldest waters. If you don’t wear it all the time, it’s strongly encouraged that you at least put it on when traveling between spots in case of an accident. With most fishing during this part of the season happening in cold and wet conditions, another gear consideration would be to wear a float suit. These are not coastguard-approved, but they are warm, comfortable, and the built-in flotation they provide could also save your life or at least give you enough time to get ahold of that throwable or rope and back to safety.
It might be a broken record, but safety comes first and life-saving gear is crucial to have onboard, especially when the water is extremely cold.
