Safety Tips
Remember that NO fish is worth risking your life for! Surf fishing was not intended to be a life and death sport.
When fishing jetties, boots and rain pants should be worn as opposed
to waders. If you get washed off the jetty, you won't be wearing
waders that could fill up with water and drag you down.If you are wading, always wear a wading belt. The belt will serve to slow the flow of water filling your waders in the event you slip off a rock or step in a hole.
A handy item to have when wading is a wading staff. It could be something as simple as an old broom or shovel handle. Make sure it is stout enough to support your weight. You can use it to feel the bottom in front of you so you don't walk off the edge of a bar or step in a hole. You can also use it to stablize yourself while wading rocky shorelines.
When fishing a rocky shoreline, Korkers are a must. For those
of you who aren't familiar with Korkers, they are cleats that
strap on to the bottom of your wading boots. They grip the rocks
through slime and weeds. (See Surf Tips for more Korker tips)
If your plug or bait hook gets stuck in the weeds or rocks close to shore, do not try to get them loose by pulling with the rod straight up and down. Pull with the rod tip to the side of you so if the hooks release, they will come flying to the side of you and not right at you. Make sure your buddy isn't standing next to you either!!! (Unless he's been outfishing you all night!)
If you cut yourself while fishing the surf, DO NOT wash the cut out with salt water. You are running the risk of introducing bacteria to the open wound which could possibly lead to infection and long term complications. If you are prone to cutting yourself, carry a bottle of alchohol or peroxide to wash out the wound. It's also a good bet to carry a few band-aides in a ziplock bag for such occasions.
When fishing at night, always carry two flashlights. Batteries always seem to
die out when you can least afford them to. There is nothing tougher than trying
to negotiate your way along a jetty or rocky shoreline after a long night of fishing
with no light to help guide the way. Always be considerate of other surf fishermen
when using flashlights!
If you are going fishing alone, let someone know where you expect to fish. Tell a spouse, a family member, or a non-fishing friend if you don't want to give away any fishing spots to your fishing buddies.
When wading in unfamiliar waters with a buddy. Don't be afraid to ask him or her to stick close by to help you out if you get into a jam. It's easy to unknowingly walk off a bar or loose your footing and fall into a hole. Sometimes just grabbing onto someone's wading staff or rod will give you enough stability to get your feet under you and get back to safety.
When wading flats such as Cape Cod's Monomoy Island or long sandbars, it is a good idea to carry a compass to find your way back to the shore if a heavy fog rolls in. It could be a life saver on a rising tide!