Fishing by yourself

I finally give my location on my hunting trips, may as well do the same for fishing.

I'm highly considering a Spot locator. There are buttons on there you can push to just send a signal that you are ok, or send a message to spouse that you need non-emergency help. And then if you're really screwed there is a 911 button.

I actually have been pretty good about telling at least two people where I am when going fishing and hunting. And while out I may even send a text or two showing what I caught or to check in. I also text or call when I am on my way home. I'm not married so unless one of my kids are at home no one would be missing me right away.

This is a great post because it makes you think about your safety and I am afraid I'm guilty I fish alone a lot I have always told my wife if the phone ain't ringing you know its me.
I think if you are fishing a busy lake on the weekend you have a greater degree of safety than if you are on a secluded place with little or no boat traffic. I do try and not fish alone in the winter time because of safety.

I am also getting to the age that I am not as nimble or sure footed as I use to be and do not want to admit it. I need to swallow a little pride and change my habits thanks for the post I know my wife will like it.

I'm guilty of heading out without letting the Mrs know. She knows I'm at the lake, but she doesn't always know what time I'm heading out, where I plan to go and when I'm back. I'm usually heading out when I know she's still sleeping so I'll plan to start texting her heading out, then when I'm back in.
I'm very picky about my rig and my gear when heading out alone in the winter. It all has to check out before I go and I always have more than one battery option just in case. The motor must start at the turn of a key every time. Still, even with everything in tip top shape, things can happen but it's best not to help the odds any more than you need to...

I love to fish by myself, it's how I get away from it all. I do a lot of wading, and yea I'm getting older. I take my cell, but it doesn't work too great the times I leave it in my pocket!

I'm getting older, have my slips and close calls, but if I die in a river or creek with a rod in my hand...I'll go happy. I hope I'm still fishing by myself 30 years from now.

great post mark,
on the cell phone thing,
i dont think it matters what cell phone service you have if you fall in a wet cell phone wont work.
i have a water tight tupperware container that i put my phone and wallet in and it goes in the dry box

[QUOTE=DJD;397427]Great reminder! If you spend any time in the outdoors your gonna find yourself in a situation at some point and letting someone know what your plans are is very important.
Been on the Indian River at night in Florida and had engine problems and this was before cell phones...man I had a worried pissed off woman at home. Sure there was nothing I could do but you know how it can be....[/QUOTE]I love the Indian and Banana river sytem. We've fished it all the way down and into the inlet. I've caught many redfish, trout and black drum out of there. Snook fishing at the inlet can be pretty darn good too. ROLLTIDE!!

Fish a lot by myself on some pretty rough rocks which can get pretty slick and in some places are as steep as a cliff.Do a lot of fishing at night but usually have a buddy with me then but if no one is available to go I still fish but do stay off the steep sections.Don't mind fishing by myself but having a partner or two makes it more enjoyable.
Jake

A lot of my bass fishing is done at night out in the middle of strip mine lands and i always fish by myself. My main concern is coming across some nutcase who might be guarding a methlab at 1:00 am in the morning.
Or having somebody let all the air out of my tires because hes assuming im on his property while im most likely on property next door to what hes got leased.

With the new ones, maybe.. LOL I had an old Nokia that I dropped in the lake years ago. Boink.. 70 ft down... Got home and called my phone to check messages...

You know how when a phone is off, it goes straight to voice mail? If it's on, it rings X number of times then goes to VM...

Well, when I called, the phone RANG 5 times or so before it went to VM. 70 ft down in the drink and this phone is still working! This was a day later.. It finally died the day after and calls finally went straight to VM.. :)

I spend a majority of my time hunting and fishing by myself. One thing I began doing years ago was keeping a small survival kit with me. You can build your own or buy one already prepared. I have never had to use anything but a few first aid supplies, but it is nice to know if I get lost or break a leg or something, I might be able to buy sometime until I can get back to civilization.

I also tell my wife where I will be and when I can expect to be home. It may seem silly and will most likely be unnecessary, but it sure doesn't hurt anything to be prepared in the event of some incident.