Winter safety

Was reading over on the Ar. board and a guy wanted to know about what to wear in the winter, well last couple years we all gave our thoughts on winter fishing safety tips....

remember to take Ice Melt for the ramp, that ramp can freez pretty quick on the cold days.
keep extra set of clothes in the boat.
silicone spray the trailer bunk boards, it may help.
let people know where your going and check in when you get off the water

I have found the Ice Melt verry helpfull in the past, eaven used it to help a couple others out, I carry a plastic coffee can in the boat, so I can sprinkle a bit on the dock when I get out of the boat, maked it easier to not slip and fall.

be safe and if you think of anything else let er rip

thanks for the reminder don't think you had the ice melt in the boat trick before good idear

Thanks, Beagle. Down here we don't normally think of taking precautions in the winter because of the mild winters, but some extra dry clothing is a good idea in any case. Oh, by the way, we're due to get snow flurries tonight. Imagine that.

Hand warmers and extra gloves are always a good thing.And as Beagle stated ice melt is a must or ya might not get pulled back out. Those ramps freeze quick after a couple boats go in and out.And as much of a pain as it is always wear your PFD in the winter. I bought some good self inflating suspender type and they are well worth the money cuase you forget ya got them on.

Good advice, Thanks Beags

Good tips Beagle. I also carry a gear bag with zippo lighter and extra fuel and flints. I also carry some fire starting tender in case I need to get to the bank and build a fire to heat someone up if they fall in.

ALWAYS secure your boat to the trailer with winch strap before pulling up the ramp. Those bunks can get very slippery when frozen over.

sometimes in winter my boat will freeze to my trailer. you will know when it does if you watch closly when you back the boat in the water and you don't see the rear of the boat float up when it normaly does. to unfreeze it, just back your trailer in until the bottom bunks are under water. then let it sit there a minute and the ice will thaw, freeing your boat. my boat will actually float the trailer for a few seconds, I know when it thaws because I can feel the trailer fall and hit the concrete. don't try to use your outboard to free the boat from the trailer because it can tear the carpet off your bunkboards.
also, to help keep warm and dry, I wear my neoprene waders when I winter fish. totally blocks wind and water. for running a full faced motorcycle helmet is great, but I must look like a moron. spare, dry cloths are a must as are pfd's.
my boat doesn't have carpet, it has a rubberized coating and it freezes fast. you have to be real careful not to slip. when it gets real bad, I just fill a bucket up with river water and pour it over my floor. it will help for a half hour or so. (better have a reliable bilge!)
I am a cheapskate so i don't use ice melt, i just keep a few folgers cans filled with OLD, COLD ashes from my wood stove. they give good traction on ice.if it is snowy that is another story. don't forget a snowshovel in case you need to clear some tire paths.

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Originally Posted by south point

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I am a cheapskate so i don't use ice melt, i just keep a few folgers cans filled with OLD, COLD ashes from my wood stove. they give good traction on ice.if it is snowy that is another story. don't forget a snowshovel in case you need to clear some tire paths.

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Now I know how all that ash gets in the carpet of my boat.....LOL. Full faced helmet a must on cold days.. All good safety points here, would be a little concerned with the waders though, if you were to go in, they might fill up on you if not cinched at the waist making it very difficult to try and get back in the boat.

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Originally Posted by wolfmanjack051

Now I know how all that ash gets in the carpet of my boat.....LOL. Full faced helmet a must on cold days.. All good safety points here, would be a little concerned with the waders though, if you were to go in, they might fill up on you if not cinched at the waist making it very difficult to try and get back in the boat.

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well, waders are sooooooooo warm, it's worth the risk. I fell in at meremec springs, once and ya I took on some water, might have to look into a bilge pump for em! Lol! if I do fall in, I have my life vest on and I would think that would float me long enough to shed the waders. but if ya fall in to 35 degree water and don't have on a life vest on, waders or not, you are in a bad, bad situation.
sorry for all the ash in your boat carpet, I'll vaccum her out next time we go fishin!