Winter Fishing Safety

While it’s true that many fishermen prefer to hit the water during the warmer seasons, there are still plenty of anglers who continue to fish during fall and winter. As a matter of fact, the winter can be a very peaceful time to fish. However, you’ll need to take some extra precautions to ensure you’re prepared for the colder weather. 

Here at Active Water Sports, we’re all for year-round fishing. We’ve gathered some important winter fishing safety tips for you to consider before you head out. If you have questions or need service or parts before you go, visit one of our dealerships! We’re conveniently located near Portland, Salem, and Eugene, Oregon.

Check the Forecast

Before you take your boat out in the winter, you’ll want to check the forecast for your intended fishing area. You want to confirm that there aren’t any strong storms or severely cold temperatures because these conditions make for a dangerous fishing trip. Always check the forecast ahead of time and right before you leave so you know what you’re getting into.

Tell Someone About Your Plans

It’s helpful to plan your route in advance so you can let someone on land know where you’ll be. Whether you tell a family member, friend, or even a neighbor, this is crucial. Let them know how long you’ll be gone, when you plan to return, and approximately where you will be. If anything happens, like an unexpected storm, this person can contact authorities and guide them to your location so they can bring you to safety.

Additionally, it’s a good idea to go boating with a buddy. This isn’t just for the company, but so you have someone who can assist in an emergency situation. As pleasant as it might seem to fish in isolated areas by yourself, it can be very dangerous if you become ill, injured, or experience a breakdown in the middle of the water.

Pack The Essential Gear

Remember to stock your boat with all the essentials before you head out. This means you’ll need the usual gear, like fishing rods, bait, lures, coolers, livewells, depth fingers, a map, compass, emergency radio, anchor, and so on. You’ll also need to bring plenty of drinking water to remain hydrated as well as high-energy snacks, like fruit, cheese, nuts, or granola to prevent severe hunger. This is even more important when you plan to spend several hours out on the water as it’ll help keep your body temperature up. 

Make sure your phone is always fully charged. You can also pack a solar or portable charger as an extra precaution. You should always have flares or other emergency signals on your boat, too. You’ll need these in case your motor breaks down. Don’t forget that all of these items should be packed in a dry bag so nothing gets wet or damaged if it falls overboard.

Layer Up

In order to protect yourself from freezing temperatures, you should dress in layers. The temperature on the water can be significantly colder than back on land, which means you could suffer hypothermia much faster. You should aim to wear wool and other synthetic clothing material that’ll wick away moisture. Stay away from cotton, which will soak it right up. 

It would be wise to pack extra layers so you have them handy, like socks, gloves, and more sweaters and jackets. Thermal underwear, boot liners, and hand warmers are other staple items you should consider as you dress for a day of winter fishing. Always wear an insulating hat and have a scarf on hand to wrap around your face to keep the wind out.

If you’re not one to let the cold weather put a damper on your fun, then you can continue enjoying your fishing trips during the winter. All you need to do is take some extra steps as you plan your day on the boat to ensure safety and you’ll be good to go! If you’re in the market for an amazing new fishing boat, be sure to stop by Active Water Sports! You’ll find our dealerships conveniently located near Portland, Salem, and Eugene, Oregon.