Night Fishing & Shrimping Pack Out Checklist

Pre-Fishing/Shrimping Trip Checklist:

 Let’s Begin – 

• Let somebody know where you are launching from and when you will return
• Charge your cell phone, pack food and drink to stay hydrated
• Start your boat at your home before departing to the boat ramps
• Inspect your trailer, tires, license plate and guide-on poles
• Bring your fishing license, boat registration and tow insurance cards
• Test all batteries, top off batteries with distilled water
• Check your navigation & stern lights before leaving.
• Buy a mini lantern 360 degree LED light that can be cable tied to your stern light in an emergency
• Check your fishing light battery endings. Rust can fail the light
• Buy backup navigation clamp on lights at retail store
• Bring cast net if you are catching your own bait
• Call the bait store and make sure they have bait before you leave home
• DO NOT ever put a rag or cup over stern light because it shines in your eyes.
• Attach styrofoam crab balls to all anchor lines in the event you have to release your anchor line
• Attach a small 3-4 inch buoy to all your fishing lights in the event you have to un-tether your lights in an emergency (barge)
• Bring extra 7 pound fishing light anchor weights (you have to make these) and extra crab pot line (17 foot)
• Pack both 8 inch and 4 inch cable ties to repair any holes in cast or dip nets
• 8 inch cable ties are great to tie your fishing light cord to battery handle, cleat etc to prevent loss overboard
• Pack 2 anchors so you can set your boat horizontal in the current
• Bring a sharp knife that can cut through anchor rope in case you prop foul
• Download or bring the fishing regulations for the State your fishing in
• Bring a cooler and ice to keep the catch cold
• Turn your headlights off while backing down the boat ramp
• Ramps are made to launch 1-2 boats at same time, choose 1 side so another boat can launch along side of you