Fishing is one of America’s favorite pastimes given that there are approximately fifty million people engaging in this activity on a yearly basis. There are over thirty million people in the United States who have a fishing license.
While angling is exciting, without a doubt, it does require a bit of skill and, even more, the right equipment. Sometimes, what this can mean is that the fisher has to bring along several essentials such as food for the whole day, plenty of water, and enough sunscreen for him or her.
Ice fishers should make sure that they wear the proper attire so as to avoid feeling cold. The weather can either make or break a fishing expedition and so it is better to be safe than sorry.
We’ve put together a list of three crucial items you might not want to forego if you want to make sure you will make the most of your fishing adventure. Check them out below.
A fishing knife
One of the best things about a fishing knife is that it proves its worth under a myriad of circumstances. You can use it to cut line, clean the fish you’ve caught, or if it’s clean enough, cut a piece of cheese, meat, or anything else you might want to put into your mouth.
There are, of course, models designed for every purpose. For example, one might find vintage models to be more appealing than regular electric fishing knives, which seem to be everywhere these days. But the latter do have their benefits, as you won’t have to put in any effort if you want to filet your fish right after having caught it. And sometimes, that’s a rather good idea given that keeping the fish with its gut and other organs in isn’t particularly hygienic.
A first-aid kit
When it comes to angling, you really can’t know when something can go wrong. Besides, if you want to take your family and friends along on your trip, you need to ensure their safety. If there are kids involved, one of the first things you should get for them is a set of quality life vests, and these can be even more important in the case of toddlers who might not have learned how to swim just yet.
The first-aid kit should contain a sanitizer, several items with which you can whip up a bandage, as well as wipes and a bit of alcohol to disinfect any wound. Keep in mind that even an experienced angler can accidentally hurt him or herself with a hook.
Extra line and hooks
A line gets broken pretty easily, or at least rather often, so you need as much as you can get. Having extra line in your tackle box is the right way of going about things, and it wouldn’t hurt if you carried several types. A durable and heavy line should be used in rough conditions whereas a clear, thin line, is necessary if you intend to fish in a crystal clear stream or lake.
As for hooks, every angler knows that they have a way of hiding. Despite being one of the most affordable pieces of fishing equipment, one can’t ever seem to have enough of them.