Fishing by yourself, particularly when launching your boat, can be intimidating and downright difficult. It’s not impossible and can be easily done with the right preparation.
Fishing is a bonding experience. Many anglers love to catch fish and get out on the water, whether it’s on boat or shore, with others for quality time. However, there are times when others can’t get out and fish with you, and the fish are hitting. What’s a person to do? Fly solo!
I fish with many people, from charter and head boat captains to friends. My main fishing partners are limited and include my parents and Chris Capozzolo, a longtime friend from college. My parents are living hundreds of miles away, and Chris is a Captain in the Air Force, so he’s now flying missions across the world on a regular basis.
With my main angling partners so far away and the fish calling my name, I was forced to adopt a solo angling experience. When fishing from the beach or piers, this is not an issue. For years, I’ve fished by myself before work, getting up in the wee hours of the night to catch the spring and fall striper run, then heading into work. No problem. It wasn’t a problem, until I bought a boat.
Sailing Solo:A Military Operation
Fishing from a boat by yourself can be difficult at first. There are so many factors to consider that you cannot fathom them at first. Who’s going to help with launching? How will you launch the boat by yourself? If you get into fish, who’s going to help land them?
You can do it all. You may not be as efficient as a two- or more-man operation, but anglers that prepare properly for most situations at sea will be comfortable once they get on the water.
I’ve found that the best approach to take when sailing by yourself is to make launching and hauling your boat like a military operation. Make a checklist for before you launch your boat, during the launch, and when hauling the boat from the water. Think through the procedure before you do it, and the process becomes automatic.
Be sure that everything has been accounted for. Be sure that you are carrying all safety devices. Be sure that your boat is in good operating condition. Wear a PFD even though you may not when fishing with others. You never know when something is going to happen out on the water, and you want to be sure that you’re prepared for that emergency.
Fishing Solo
When I’m on the water in my boat by myself, my military approach continues to ensure that I have the best chances of catching fish. Everything has a home and is kept there. When I use something, I put it back after I’ve finished using it. The rods are kept in rod holders and ready for use, as is the net and gaff.
My rods are all pre-rigged with what I think I’ll be using to target fish, and I carry at least three rods to cover the types of fishing that I may experience. You never know when you’ll hit that school of bluefish or stripers that are busting the surface, and when you’re alone, you need to navigate, so rigging isn’t an option. If I have to re-rig, I drop anchor, then pull the anchor after I’ve rigged, resuming my fishing.
Fishing solo is done primarily from the console, as I have a center console and can have a rod in the water in one hand, while the other’s on the wheel. My engine will usually be running and idling in neutral or in gear, holding my position.
Trolling is a relatively easy endeavor when fishing solo. I often troll Stretch 25′s, running two rods off my stern. If you hook into a fish while trolling these plugs, idle the boat, letting the other Stretch rise to the surface while you fight the fish. Once the fish has been landed, resume trolling the Stretch, dropping the other back to its position.
Accept The Help Of Others
Many of us are quite independent in our nature, but all boaters understand how difficult sailing can be and will always lend a helping hand. The first time I launched my boat solo, a fellow angler helped me get the boat off the trailer as I throttled it back and into the dock.
If you need help, be sure to ask for it. Most have been in your situation and will happily help fellow boaters. The community is a strong one, so enjoy it.
SOLO SAILIING PROCEDURE
Be sure to have a procedure to follow when launching your boat. While this procedure can be used with two people, one person can also implemented it.
When launching for your first time, be sure to do it during a weekday when launch ramps are less crowded. If others are around and you need it, ask for help. Boaters and anglers are usually communal in nature and will help out others with little or no coaxing.
PRE-LAUNCH PREPARATION
1. Pull up to ramp
2. Take off all tie-downs and straps securing the boat to the trailer EXCEPT the winch ropes.
3. Load the boat with all gear: fishing equipment and bait, safety and navigational equipment, electronics, food and drinks, suncreen, sunglasses, etc. Be sure to have a PFD aboard.
4. Be sure the drain plug is installed. If it is not, install it now.
LAUNCH RAMP PROCEDURE
1. Back the trailer and boat down the ramp, backing the boat into a comfortable launching position.
2. Put your winch into position so it is releasing line, letting your boat into the water.
3. Depending on the type of boat you have any its proximity to the nearest dock, either release the winch line from the clip, climb aboard and back the boat off the trailer, or use a rope affixed to the bow to float the boat to the nearest dock.
4. Secure the boat to the dock.
5. Park your vehicle and trailer.
Don’t Forget The Drain Plug!
Even if you’re launching a boat and fishing with someone else, forgetting to put in your drain plug can happen. If you’re alone, it’s twice as likely to happen, though.
On my second solo launch, I forgot to put my drain plug in and nearly launched my boat as the transom filled with water. I quickly learned that my bilge pump was operational.
Be sure to check and double check that your drain plug is properly installed before launching. Carry a spare drain plug in your boat in case you forget and can quickly reach it. There’s nothing worse than getting out onto the water and having to hurry back in as your boat sinks.
Emergency planning
You never know when an emergency is going to happen, and one person is much more vulnerable than two. Be sure to plan properly in case of any emergencies. Make sure that you’re carrying a VHF radio that is can transmit in case you need help.
I usually make it a practice not to carry my cell phone when fishing because I don’t want the world to be able to reach me when I’m trying to relax. However, when I’m fishing solo, I carry it with me in case I need help. When I fish solo, I always tell others that I’m fishing and when I plan on returning so I don’t go unaccounted in case something happens. I’ll usually check in with them while I’m out, telling them about the action and my plans on returning.
Carry an anchor and use it in case of emergency. You don’t want to drift far offshore or drift into shoreline, and an anchor will hold you in one place while you can call for help.
I’ll also use the anchor in cases where I need to re-rig or prepare my baits or lures. I keep my anchor ready for use, and when I need to take a minute to do something in rip-roaring currents, I drop the anchor overboard so I can get ready for the next angling opportunity. When you’re flying solo, an anchor becomes invaluable.
