Tactics & Tackle
10 Essential Things in My Bag
by Mark Sosin
Uncomfortable experiences linger in memory. Spend enough time on the water and, sooner or later, you'll have your own repertoire of stories to tell. Unless you carry certain essentials "just in case," you'll think Murphy was a genius when he said, "If something can go wrong, it probably will."
Most of us expect to return to the dock at a predetermined time without mishap and virtually every angler knows the weather in the afternoon will mirror the stillness and sunshine of the morning. Sometimes, the scenario doesn't play out exactly that way. My boat bag goes with me on every trip afloat and the items inside have earned a rightful place. Take a peek inside!
1. CLOTHING
An invitation to join three regulars aboard a center-console for a day trip along the reefline out of Key West produced almost non-stop action. The weather was warm, but the sea had a swell. Racing home late in the afternoon, we eased over one sea and the engine died before the boat settled in the next trough in an area known as The Quicksands. It wouldn't start, so we anchored and began to sort out the problem. About that time, a blustery cold front started to blow. Twilight turned to darkness, temperatures dropped, and minutes seemed like hours until the Coast Guard came to our rescue just before daybreak the next morning. The accommodations were less than ideal and that first hot cup of coffee aboard the cutter warmed the innards of a chilled body.
Since that day (or night), I pack a rainsuit, warm jacket (even in summer), and one or two additional hats. If you look around, you'll discover that professional captains carry similar gear.
2. SAFETY STUFF
Captain Ken Collette came off the poling platform and rolled on the deck in intense pain. He knew something was seriously wrong and instructed his angler to turn on the radio, call the Coast Guard, and read them the numbers off his GPS. Instead, the man pulled out a cellular phone, dialed 9-1-1, and arranged a rendezvous with the paramedics. Ken was diagnosed as having a kidney stone (which he passed two days later while fishing a tournament which he won).
If you have a cellular phone, carry it with you in coastal waters along with a spare battery. A handheld VHS makes an excellent substitute. I always have a signal mirror with me. It doesn't take up much room, but it could come in handy. The small, powerful flashlights that operate on AA batteries will make a night on the water more pleasant. You'll find more uses for Cyalume lightsticks other than attaching them to swordfish baits. Matches in a plastic bag will start a fire if you wind up on a remote shore. And, I carry a Space Blanket for emergency warmth.
3. TOOLS
While trying to unhook a fish, a friend dropped his pliers overboard. He borrowed Editor Barry Gibson's pair and they suddenly went gluck, gluck, gluck to the bottom. You can imagine my feelings when he looked at me for a third pair. Fishing pliers are essential. Make sure you have one or two pairs in reserve. And, throw in a folding fillet knife. It may surprise you that many boats don't have the right knives on board or sharp ones. I also tote around a Leatherman tool and/or a Gerber tool. They can do a lot of things and pack easily.
4. FIRST AID
Someone told me recently that a styptic pencil does wonders if you puncture your finger or hand with a fish fin or tooth. That's something I'm going to add to my first aid kit. Right now, it contains a plastic bag of bandaids and a few over-the-counter medications such as aspirin (or aspirin substitute), motion sickness tablets, and, in some foreign lands, anti-diarrheal pills.
5. FOOD
We had been running for almost two hours before the sun poked up over the Eastern horizon. The last party was in the wholesale sandwich business, so our skipper packed the lunch with the wheelbarrow-full that was left behind. By mid-morning, the young mate was devouring the goodies only to announce a few minutes later that he didn't feel well. It was almost 9:00 p.m. when we got back to the dock and none of us had eaten in at least 15 hours.
If you bring your own lunch, it pays to add a little more than you intend to eat. When someone else handles those chores or you're in a foreign country, carry some emergency rations. Mine usually consist of peanuts, raisins, and chocolate chips mixed in a plastic bag. In the words of Outdoor Writer Gene Mueller (who wrote a book with the same title), "Don't Let The Skinny Guy Make The Sandwiches."
6. DEALING WITH NATURE
The insect life aboard some boats may amaze you. In some areas if you get too close to shore and the wind is right, you can find a swarm of gnats, mosquitos, flies, and other nasty critters feasting on your body. A can, tube, or pump container of insect repellent works wonders. Don't leave home without it. And, don't forget some sun block and lip balm. Old Sol can be brutal out there and the wind doesn't help.
7. SPARES
Sunglasses don't last forever, even when they're tied around your neck. Carry a spare pair, particularly if they are prescription. If you wear eyeglasses or need reading glasses for close work, take along a backup pair. Without glasses, it can be a long day out there.
8. BINOCULARS
If you're as curious as I am about how well the other boats are doing or want to check for diving birds on the horizon, binoculars come in handy. A small, lightweight pair fits in the boat bag nicely.
9. SOMETHING EXTRA
Heavy, bait-sewing floss is incredibly strong and can be used for a number of emergency repairs to clothing, gear, and a dozen other things. That's the same stuff I wrap around the temple bars of my sunglasses to hold the mono in place. If you add a needle or two, you're ready to take on a number of chores.
10. DRY THINGS
There's a clean, oversized, cotton bandanna in each of my back pockets every time I go to sea. Their primary mission is to clean the salt off my sunglasses. It's not uncommon for them to get wet from spray while they are still neatly folded. That's why I carry two more along with a towel in a ziplock bag. Speaking of plastic bags, throw some extra ones in your belongings. You'll find plenty of uses for them and their dandy for packing fillets.
Based on your own experiences, you'll come up with some other items that are important where you fish. Of course, it pays to take a spool or two of extra line with you and all of the tackle you think you're going to need.
With a little planning, you can equip a reasonably small bag with most things that you may want out there. Pray that you'll never have to use them, but when your time comes, having them will make adversity much easier to handle.
Copyright 1998 - 2008 Mark Sosin's Saltwater Journal
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