My Essentials For Rigging Up a Boat for Offshore Fishing

[skip]

Here's a list of what I consider to be essentials and optionals when rigging up a boat for offshore fishing. As most boats available locally are not tailored for sportfishing, you will need to add the components you need.

Here's a list in no particular order:

• First Aid Kit (Thanks Benri!)
• Rod Holders - Clamp On, Gunnel Mount or Transom Mount depending on your boat
• Sea Water Washdown Kit
• Kill Bag - Either the soft collapsible type or a hard cooler
• GPS / Chartplotter
• VHF - Preferably Fixed Mount if you're going more than a few miles offshore
• Racor or similar Fuel Filter
• Fire Extinguisher
• Life Jackets and Signal Flares
• At least one 12V outlet for charging your mobile etc
• Bimini Top/Canopy
• Anchor with 3m chain and a good length of rope in case you need to secure the boat
• Automatic Bilge Pump

Recommended Optionals:

• Fishfinder
• Downrigger or Z-Wing
• Collapsible Outriggers if you've got the space and can afford them
• Freshwater Shower/Pump
• Digital Fuel Flow Meter
• Emergency / Secondary Engine - Can also be used for trolling

Interested to know what other's use/think

[benri]

good shopping list Skip... But please don't forget a good first aid kit which hopefully you will never use!

[skip]

Indeed! See I knew I would miss things. It's always on the boat so I take it for granted, but a definite must have.

[The_Gaffer]

Allow me to add from experience some other essentials:

1.Always check your oil/fuel level before commencing an offshore   troll. Top up as necessary
2. Make sure you have a spare fuel filter on board.  For inboard engines a good idea is to have some spare drive VEE belts also.
3. If your prop shaft is not equipped with a rope/wire cutter be prepared to jump into the open sea in case a rope or plastic item gets tangled onto your prop shaft!!!....have a mask and a sharp knife in hand
4. Please remember to call Valletta port control before leaving the harbour area and register your intentions as well a your ETA back to port.  Make sure you radio back upon arrival
5. Ask yourself this question...Is my engine running at optimum performance?...is my standby engine available?....remember, out on the open sea, you can't just park your vessel and call in the tow truck!!
6.  Bilge pumps:  in excellent running condition.  Auto switch actually switches on bilge pump.
7.  Drinking water, at least 5 litres on board. 
8.  Essential tools!!!...pliers, screw drivers, spanners, wrench box
9. Flash light (torch)
10.  Hmmmm....maybe some spare lures and leader line, swivels, hooks

...............................................................Guys the list is endless

[jessijames 2]

Hi guys
The gaffer If you have the SPOT satellite messenger it will make it easy
to call a tow truck from out there LOL, and it is not that expensive.

[shanook]

Another thing which is more of use than an anchor with rope (if u are on the south side the sea is rather deep) is a parachute sea anchor. this stops your boat from drifting. It can be used when deep drop fishing and if u have engine problems at least the boat wont drift off,  also if the sea is choppy it will help to keep the boat facing the waves.

[skip]

Does anyone get them in Malta at a reasonable price?

[shanook]

dont know about reasonable price (do we ever get that in Malta) but visa bought one from Rossi in Gzira.
I made mine from the bags that the builders use to load cement and rubble, so turned out quite cheap.

[DJS]

I bought a sea parachute a few years, either from Ta' Bormla in Mosta or Gauci Borda in Gzira wasn't more than Lm10 at the time. Haven't used it for years, but seemed to be effective for reducing boat drift in strong currents or winds when bottom fishing. I guess it's main purpose though is for safety.

[shanook]

A magnetic compass is also essential as u never know when ur electronics quit on u. So always know your bearings when offshore as a compass will never fail u.

[visa]

the most thing that i use on the boat is jelly fish spray i use it on kida and tourest who get stung by jellyfish and on myself,  great to start chatting the girls lol however all the things you have mentioned above are very essentials keep it going also keep a spare cap for friends who forget to get one eeeh shanook???

[Granitu]

he he he imqareb int ukoll visa

[shanook]

indunajt inti ukoll qarnitu LOL.....iva visa but u know i hate caps butttttttttt u are right a spare cap is good to have..... i will take up the suggestion of the jellyfish spray u never know i might get lucky lol.....

[malliadan]

i was looking at this list, how do you use a parachute anchor? i found one by coinsidence on ebay

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-SEA-ANCHOR-PVC-DROGUE-SAFETY-25-FT-SAIL-BOAT-YACHT_W0QQitemZ370318964135QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_CarsParts_Vehicles_BoatEquipment_Accessories_SM?hash=item5638baf5a7

[robby017]

just let it out some 15 to 20 phatoms tied from the front of the boat and it will slow down your drift..... to help it stay under water, we add a fishing weight of xi 80-120g tied 1 phatom away from the closing end.......