...for serious pike and predator anglers!
Boat Fishing Tips
WARNING
Always be on the look out for large speeding vessels.
The bow wave from a large speeding vessel can tip a small boat over.
Hence the importance of wearing a lifejacket.
It is 'recommended' that you wear a lifejacket when boat fishing.
Never go afloat wearing waders.
Carry an unhooking mat to place your catch on - or a nice thick piece campers bedroll.
Do not let a fish flap about in the bottom of the boat, even on an unhooking mat - they don't like it!
Do not sink your landing net into the water before time - wait until the fish is at bank/boatside, in a non thrashing state, then quickly sink landing net into the water and engulf the fish.
Personally, until the time is right to sink my landing net into the water, I like to hold any slack mesh in the fingers of left hand - i.e. the hand I use to hold landing net. Net dangling in the water is very prone to getting caught-up with a flying treble hook - i.e. as a hooked pike bolts past the mesh dangling in the water!
When dropping anchor, make sure your feet, or your free hand, is kept well clear of any coils of rope.
As you let the anchor rope slide through your fingers, keep a good eye open for any hooks that may have become attached to the rope - believe me, it happens. Hire boats being the worst culprits for anchor/mooring ropes with hooks attached/in.
Do not hand-land fish unless you are 100% confidant! I have had pike of 15lb thrashing about at boatside with me attached to them - i.e. via a hook in the finger! Believe me, it's not pleasant having to rip a hook out of your finger with a pair of pliers - i.e. to free yourself from one very annoyed pike! In my opinion, long nosed pliers and hand held bolt croppers are an absolute must when pike fishing.
Always keep your bodyweight centre of the boat. If you boat fish with somebody for the first time, be very, very careful. If two people move to one side of the boat at the same time, for example, to look at a hooked fish, there is a strong risk of the boat capsizing. The stability of boats can vary greatly, so always be on your guard.
On the Norfolk Broads, it is not uncommon for a small fishing boat to be tipped over by the bow wave from a speeding boat. I can recall at least two instances where anglers ended up in the drink, in ice cold water - hence the importance of wearing a life jacket!
Never take water for granted - with clothes on, and no lifejacket, you stand very little chance of swimming to safety.
Many 'think' they could swim to shore - but in reality, there, only one direction they'll be going - and that's down!
Wear a lifejacket - you know it makes sense!