7 Hints for Happier Boating and Fishing Trips
By Debbie Hanson
Jul 07, 2014
I know, I know. Boating and fishing trips are already happy… how can you possibly make a day on the water even happier? Stay safe and plan activities to keep the family entertained while afloat.
I know, I know. Boating and fishing trips are already happy… how can you possibly make a day on the water even happier? Stay safe and plan activities to keep the family entertained while afloat.
Here are seven hints for even happier boating and fishing trips:
Check the Take Me Fishing list of state parks that are best for family-friendly fishing and boating trips. For example, if you live near Galveston, may want to plan a trip to Galveston Island State Park since it is listed as one of the best parks for family-friendly fishing in the state of Texas. Want to know which parks or places are best near you? Use this list of the “Top 100 Family-Friendly Fishing and Boating Spots.”
Have lunch at a waterfront restaurant or plan a picnic. Boating and fishing trips can be even more fun if you stop to have lunch at a waterfront restaurant with your family. When you plan family outings by boat, it creates a sense of adventure. Use the Take Me Fishing “Places to Boat and Fish Map” to find a waterfront restaurant or picnic spot in your area.
Take time to enjoy the scenery and wildlife. Slow down to enjoy the scenery and wildlife. Whether it’s admiring a great blue heron that is standing near a shoreline or majestic mountains that rise high above a flowing river, there are many things about nature that you can appreciate from the deck of a boat.
Bring extra seat cushions or pillows for the chairs and cabin. Make your boat trip more comfortable by bringing along extra boat cushions or pillows for bench seats or for the cockpit. There are even online retailers that will customize UV-resistant, waterproof pillows with the name of your boat.
Have a scavenger or treasure hunt by boat. Make a list of items you might see during a day on the water or find a sample boat trip scavenger hunt list online. The first person to check all of the items off of the list or who has checked off the most items on the list is the winner.
Bring the family dog along. Why leave your favorite pet at home? Most dogs love the water. Just be sure to bring along a canine life jacket, doggie pick up bags, and plenty of fresh drinking water (don’t let your dog drink from the lake or ocean due to unhealthy microorganisms or pollution). You can purchase a canine life jacket at most boating stores or pet shops.
Stay safe and active. Be sure you have all of the required boating safety equipment on board, follow the boating laws, and have a few boat activities planned. Fishing, snorkeling or tubing are all good summer activity ideas.
Have other suggestions for happier fishing and boating trips? Comment on this post by logging into the Take Me Fishing Community or by visiting the TakeMeFishing.org Facebook Page.
Here are seven hints for even happier boating and fishing trips:
Check the Take Me Fishing list of state parks that are best for family-friendly fishing and boating trips. For example, if you live near Galveston, may want to plan a trip to Galveston Island State Park since it is listed as one of the best parks for family-friendly fishing in the state of Texas. Want to know which parks or places are best near you? Use this list of the “Top 100 Family-Friendly Fishing and Boating Spots.”
Have lunch at a waterfront restaurant or plan a picnic. Boating and fishing trips can be even more fun if you stop to have lunch at a waterfront restaurant with your family. When you plan family outings by boat, it creates a sense of adventure. Use the Take Me Fishing “Places to Boat and Fish Map” to find a waterfront restaurant or picnic spot in your area.
Take time to enjoy the scenery and wildlife. Slow down to enjoy the scenery and wildlife. Whether it’s admiring a great blue heron that is standing near a shoreline or majestic mountains that rise high above a flowing river, there are many things about nature that you can appreciate from the deck of a boat.
Bring extra seat cushions or pillows for the chairs and cabin. Make your boat trip more comfortable by bringing along extra boat cushions or pillows for bench seats or for the cockpit. There are even online retailers that will customize UV-resistant, waterproof pillows with the name of your boat.
Have a scavenger or treasure hunt by boat. Make a list of items you might see during a day on the water or find a sample boat trip scavenger hunt list online. The first person to check all of the items off of the list or who has checked off the most items on the list is the winner.
Bring the family dog along. Why leave your favorite pet at home? Most dogs love the water. Just be sure to bring along a canine life jacket, doggie pick up bags, and plenty of fresh drinking water (don’t let your dog drink from the lake or ocean due to unhealthy microorganisms or pollution). You can purchase a canine life jacket at most boating stores or pet shops.
Stay safe and active. Be sure you have all of the required boating safety equipment on board, follow the boating laws, and have a few boat activities planned. Fishing, snorkeling or tubing are all good summer activity ideas.
Have other suggestions for happier fishing and boating trips? Comment on this post by logging into the Take Me Fishing Community or by visiting the TakeMeFishing.org Facebook Page.
Debbie Hanson is an award-winning outdoor writer, women’s sport fishing advocate, IGFA world record holder, and freshwater guide living in Southwest Florida. Hanson’s written work has appeared in publications such as Florida Game & Fish Magazine, BoatUS Magazine, and USA Today Hunt & Fish. To learn more about her work, visit shefishes2.com or follow her on Instagram @shefishes2.
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