Winter Thread Topic: Surf Safety Tips & Tricks

[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.

[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.