Winter Thread Topic: Surf Safety Tips & Tricks

[JohnR]

As we started discussing last week, it is time to put some important topics up and bang them around for future use. We'll remind some of ourselves and help the noobs out.

Based on losing guys the past few years there will be a focus on safety. This week's topic is: Surf Safety Tips & Tricks . We'll cover gear later. I'll start with a couple:

Know your area, scout during daylight hours. So easy to forget but not only will you see stuff during the day that will help you catch fish but you may see obstacles or danger spots to be aware of that you will miss at night.

Buddy system. Can't say enough. Fish with someone.

[shark lobster]

make sure when jumping those rocks you were good footwear ,, korkers or other type of , spiked foot wear ,, always take a moment to see were would you go if you hook into a large fish and you need to move around !

[GregW]

Have good situational awareness. Keep a good eye on what's going on around you and what it could mean in the near future.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

[slow eddie]

going to a new spot? going out on the rocks?
take 10 and watch the waves. it seems that from my own experience and talking to others, it's the waves that all of a sudden come from either side or even behind that get you.
as in, just where they hell did that come from?????????

[rizzo]

Be mindful what the weather is offshore. Rogue waves are the worst and sometimes happen unexpectedly after a hurricane passes. I never really believed how bad they could be until I experienced a real one.

I was fishing cuttyhunk after a nasty tropical storm with 4-5' swells and great fishing. Was almost top of the tide and seas were building. We were fishing during the evening when you could still see. Off in a distance you could see this massive swell forming. It was almost unreal at first. When it started to get close it just doubled in height and we had to run back as the wave engulfed everything up to the sand banks. If it was at night and didnt retreat we would have had some bad bruises or broken bones. After that I am very paranoid during big swell events.

[piemma]

Know where you are very well. I never fish a new spot at night without a scouting trip in daylight. Also, once you get situated, always have a plan for landing a big fish. More fish are lost and more guys get in trouble because they never take this into account.

[Slipknot]

If you wade out any distance into the water it's a good idea to have a small compass on you just in case fog rolls in on you. You don't want to be caught out on the flats disoriented in fog as the tide is coming in.

When fishing next to current standing in the water, wear an inflatable PFD at least, you never know, one slip and your in trouble fast.

[fishbones]

When fishing the canal, be careful walking down the rocks when there are hot chicks walking/jogging/rollerblading by on the bike path. It can be distracting.

[jimmy z]

I know I've done many all nighters. And have gone out on the rocks super tired. When tired I don't push it like I normally would. Being tired brings on optical allusions, sometimes, and this can be dangerous. Awareness goes down and sloppiness comes into play.
I am very cautious now, especially after taking some falls.
Plan accordingly, get a short nap in if needed. Prevention is the key!

[HanoverStriper]

I echo what has already been stated. Also, when wearing waders, ALWAYS wear a belt. A good dry top can keep you out of some bad situations as well. It's also a good idea to carry a knife, and pliers that can cut through hooks.

[JLH]

If you are heading out alone let someone know where you are heading and about when you expect to be back. If you are fishing remote areas have a cell phone with you, if I am wetsuiting then it’s in a dry bag in a backpack on shore near where I am fishing. Have a readily accessible knife in case you get tangled up in discarded fishing line, netting, lobster pot rope etc… Have a good pair of pliers that will cut a hook out of our hand or body.

[fishbones]

Always check your gear before you head out to make sure you have everything you need and it's in working condition. Last season, I once forgot my headlamp and another time got to where I was fishing and found out the batteries had died. Fortunately, one of the times I was with someone who carries and extra headlamp and he let me borrow it. Thanks, Greg.

[redcrbbr]

have a fishing buddy.
seriously think about your moves and if you get wiped off a rock..where not to land. be aware all the time and never take your eyes off the waves.

[Jay Dog]

I always carry a whistle around my neck. If you get hurt it's less effort to blow one then to shout, it's louder then shouting and it's sound stands out from breaking surf etc. Also have a small compass and emergency light on the same lanyard.

[numbskull]

Barbs are for rookies. Just crush 'em so you can pull the damn hooks out of your hand and keep fishing. You don't need them (at least on a plug) and all they cause is trouble. Saves you having to carry godawful heavy pliers as well. Lets you unhook fish in the dark without a light. Speeds up the release. Try it for a season, you'll like it.

[Saltheart]

a big part of safety is using your head. Don't take chances. Its not worth going "a little too far out" or "just a little into the current" , etc. When faced with a potentially dangerous situation , just say no. You can avoid 100 bad situations using your head more easily than you can deal with a single bad situation once you get into trouble.

[piemma]

I almost forgot: Always carry 2 lights. My backup light has saved me more than once.

[jimmy z]

New guys have a tendency to get over excited. This is natural. But slow it down! The fish will be there! I'm talking about all aspects of what we do. Get the gear ready before hand. Tie leaders ahead of time if ya can. Someone mentioned two lights. Well I have a third! And most importantly, know where your fishing!
And when your done, put everything where you know it will be for the next out. Develop some system of organization. This is helpful and alleviates a chaotic mess!

[Spiderman]

Trust your instincts. If you think its too dangerous or you just have a bad feeling, dont do it. Make sure your brains are bigger than your balls.

[agsurfr]

Respect the ocean. Do not fish alone when the weather is heavy. 2 lights ALWAYS.

Stay calm if you get into a jam. Your clear thinking brain is your biggest asset when it hits the fan. Take a breath and assess, then assess again.

Happy and safe holidays to all.

[ivanputski]

My safety precautions: (mostly for wetsuiting)

*sharp dive knife (blunt tip)
*headlamp, 2 neck lights (one red, one white)
*just added a whistle to the neck light lanyard
* I sometimes (should more often) carry a floating princeton tec strobe light... compact, waterproof, visible for 1 mile... just in case I get swept way out.

*I carry a laminated card with my name, info, and emergency contacts inside my plug bag... If I lose my bag someone can return it, if I am found dead, My family can have their world crushed sooner than later.
* I try to let someone know which spots I will be hitting that night. ( I never say what time I'll be back... I always fish longer than I say i will)
* No deep swimming when alone...
*Started keeping bolt cutters in the truck for cutting out hooks.

[MikeToole]

Use a wading stick in rocky areas. In NH it's not uncommon at low tide to have to walk out 200 yards through rockweed covered rocks. Korkers are a must but they don't handle this very well. Since started using a wading stick rarely fall and can move faster. Old ski poles work great.

As someone already said carry pliers that can cut a hook. In May a fish jerked it's head and drove a VMC treble into my finger. My pliers couldn't cut the hook but managed to cut the ring.

Wet suits supply padding if you fall and if your in current or cold water you'll have a better chance if you go in.

[WoodyCT]

Plan for the worst and hope for the best.

Put some thought into how you would get yourself out of a jam. Determine the proper sequence of actions to get out of the gear that you can't swim with should you fall off the jetty and get swept out to sea. Then consider you may have to do it under water while holding your breath. Maybe test your plan in your buddy's pool.

Look around, get familiar with the conditions, and identify potential hazards and escape routes before you lose yourself in the joy of fishing.

Carry a sheath knife you can use one handed.

Beware striped kitties!
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[Hardcore]

Originally Posted by numbskull

Barbs are for rookies. Just crush 'em so you can pull the damn hooks out of your hand and keep fishing. You don't need them (at least on a plug) and all they cause is trouble. Saves you having to carry godawful heavy pliers as well. Lets you unhook fish in the dark without a light. Speeds up the release. Try it for a season, you'll like it.

Great advise. I would also like to add that even though that hook was removed easily it still carries bacteria. If the puncture starts turning funny colors go see a Dr.! Ask me how I know
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[new jack]

Having been in a rescue situation I can shed some light on the subject.

Here's what I have learned

1. Know which way the current moves down the beach. Think in terms of a ripcurrent and how lifeguards tell you get out of them.

2. Some sort if water proof light if fishing after dark attached to your helps with location in a search and rescue attempt.

3. Do whatever you need to do to keep calm if caught in asituation.
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[Slipknot]

A sobering reminder Greg
God bless you

[Fishoholic]

Originally Posted by piemma

I almost forgot: Always carry 2 lights. My backup light has saved me more than once.

and make sure you check that back-up periodically. One night last season my primary failed and so did the backup. It was a very long and slow walk over shifty bowling ball sized rocks under a new moon. I only ate it 2 or 6 times

Always remember a ground swell will build with an incoming tide 99% of the time.

For the guys who where an inflatable pfd, check out the ACR pull pin strobe. under 50$ and well worth it.

[striper774]

When fishing next to current standing in the water, wear an inflatable PFD at least, you never know, one slip and your in trouble fast.[/QUOTE]

This is one of the most important pieces of safety equipment there is.I know there a pia and expensive but,after your floating away trying to save your rod and equipment this is the only after the fact protection device left.Even guys fishing together sometimes are left helpless to help due to whatever conditions exist at that time.We've all read about these tragic events.

[bassballer]

Originally Posted by slow eddie

going to a new spot? going out on the rocks?
take 10 and watch the waves. it seems that from my own experience and talking to others, it's the waves that all of a sudden come from either side or even behind that get you.
as in, just where they hell did that come from?????????

I agree with this 100%. Could be the simplest but most important thing to remember. Just give yourself 10 minutes to analyze the wave patterns. So many times ive thought a spot was fishable only to see 4 minutes later it being swallowed every 4 sets. Dont get me wrong, ive been blasted of my share of rocks. I dont always follow my own advise.

[landwave]

When the tides are super low, scout out your spots during the day. You might be surprised at what you see.

Again, wait ten minutes while you watch the surf before heading out!