Onboard Gear

[Brad C.]

This is my first post here on BassResource.com. I am no strangers to Online Forums, but this is my first Fishing related forum.

I also just got my first boat. It's a 1986 Dyna-Trak Bass Boat with a 150 HP Evinrude.

My plan is to take the boat out this weekend (Even though it's cold in Wisconsin) and do a little Bass fishing.

My question is... I need to make sure that I have the correct gear on hand in the boat for just about anything. I have made a list of things I need to buy before my trip outside of the items required by the state (PFD's, Extinguisher, etc)..

What items besides the ones I have listed below do you recommend for keeping in your boat?

- Gloves

- Jack Knife

- Pliers and/or Toolbox

- Fishing Net

- Scale & Measuring Equipment

- Paddles for Emergencies

- Rain Gear

- Radio

- First Aid Kit

Am I missing anything? Sorry if this was asked before..

-Brad

[Ben]

A couple of items I always keep in my boat are a couple of sweatshirts with a hood and a couple of those solar blankets, for me and a partner. The sweatshirts get used quit often and I use my rain suit as wind breaker when needed. I've been on the lake buches of times and have the temps drop enough that I've needed something warmer than what I started off with. The blankets are a safety item, never know when you might have to spend the night because of a breakdown or something. They are small and take up almost no room.  

Forgot to mention, I also keep a large poncho, just in case if someone is with me and don't have raingear.

[Flatfish]

I alway's carry several hand towels, 18"X18" pick them up at Sam's Club for like $10. for 40. Fold them tight and put one in a 1 qt. zip lock bag and into the locker they go. Some of them I put a plastic eyelet in the corner, the kind you get in the craft dept, dont use the brass ones, sounds like you have a sack of marbles in the dryer. In cold weather it's nice to have dry hand's.

[roadwarrior]

Welcome aboard!

You might catch a bigun, take a camera.

[Muddpuppy]

I always carry a tow rope, and a good flashlight.  Since some of places I go sometimes are shallow I occassionally toss in a machete' or a pole.

[Ben]

I got to thinking about just what all is in my bass boat and hears a list

One paddle

One fire extenguiser

Three life jackets

one throw cusion

one whistle

one air horn and can of air

Small first aid kit

One Q-Beam

One Small LED flashlight (two AA bat's)

six floating markers

One three section, twist lock, walking stick (colapes to a short length to fit in a box and is great for pushing the boat off the bank when you have to go for a lure or pit stop).

Several cans of Vienna's, potted meat, and Beeny Weenies. and a plastic container of crackers.

One 16qt cooler of drinks and water

One Butane fire starter

Two sweat shirts

One heavy Vinyl ponche

One heavy Vinyl rain suit (take my good one when the weatherman predicts rain.

A couple of hats

One spare pair of Polarized sun glasses

Several pairs of cotton gloves

One role of toilet paper

One roll of paper towels

1/2 dozen or so of shop rags

Small assortment of tools

Socket, extension and pull handle to fit trailer lugs

Spare set of spark plugs

Eigth to ten rods and reels

A dozen or so of 3700 origanizers

about 50 punds of plastic baits

One gallon of oil

Telescopeing lure retriever.

Jet kit for rejeting carbs.

A couple of small blackligths so if we stay late

A spare set of keys to my truck, boat and locks

This is all stuff that pretty much stays in my boat year round. I add heaters and coldweather gear, Gotex rain gear etc depending on the weather.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Brad, Welcome to the forum.  Last month I wrote an article (more of a list) on exactly this topic.  Pull up this link and "print page" and it will all be right there for you to carry around as you prepare.

http://bassresource.com/fishing/boating_checklist.html

Lots of useful info in the banner above.  Start with "fishing articles"

Hope you enjoy the site and CATCH 'EM UP!

[justtrying]

I got to thinking about just what all is in my bass boat and hears a list

One paddle

One fire extenguiser

Three life jackets

one throw cusion

one whistle

one air horn and can of air

Small first aid kit

One Q-Beam

One Small LED flashlight (two AA bat's)

six floating markers

One tree section, twist lock, walking stick (colapes to a short length to fit in a box and is great for pushing the boat off the bank when you have to go for a lure or pit stop).

Several cans of Vienna's, potted meat, and Beeny Weenies. and a plastic container of crackers.

One 16qt cooler of drinks and water

One Butane fire starter

Two sweat shirts

One heavy Vinyl ponche

One heavy Vinyl rain suit (take my good one when the weatherman predicts rain.

A couple of hats

One spare pair of Polarized sun glasses

Several pairs of cotton gloves

One role of toilet paper

One roll of paper towels

1/2 dozen or so of shop rags

Small assortment of tools

Socket, extension and pull handle to fit trailer lugs

Spare set of spark plugs

Eigth to ten rods and reels

A dozen or so of 3700 origanizers

about 50 punds of plastic baits

One gallon of oil

Telescopeing lure retriever.

Jet kit for rejeting carbs.

A couple of small blackligths so if we stay late

A spare set of keys to my truck, boat and locks

This is all stuff that pretty much stays in my boat year round. I add heaters and coldweather gear, Gotex rain gear etc depending on the weather.

hey ben - bro, you must have one big boat!

[northgabassfisher]

YOU FORGT ABOUT THE MOST IMPORTENT ITEM :oyour rod and reels and all your tackle dont want to forget those ;D

[Ben]

Not real big, 18.5' Stratos but has a lot of storage room plus I have one livewell pluged off and the pumps disconnected and use that for storage also. Other than life jackets and clothing items, and tackle, most of this stuff is doesn't take up bunches of room. Over the years, I've unloaded the boat numbers of time to weed out junk to cut down on weight but everytime I try, it all winds up back in the boat. Now you see why I run a 300 hp motor. The thing is, the 20' Javelin I just bought doesn't look like it has the room this boat has.

I think you'll find I listed rods and reels.  THe ones I use most stay in the boat all the time.  The 3700 organizers are full of hard baits, jigs and enough tackle to handle just about any situation.  Those stay all the time.  If going to do something special or different I take the special tackle just for that trip.

95% of the time when I go, I come home, throw my travel bag of cloths etc that always stays packed, unplug the charger, hook to the boat that's always loaded and head out.  All I have to do is stop and get gas.