Ditch bags

[JasonB]

At times I fish alone for kings and dolphin or I have a buddy or two. I am re-gearing my ditch bag (in case my boat goes down) and wanted to know what you all have in your ditch bag. I fish a 26' center console not a larger sportfisher.

Some of my items include
ACR EPIRB
Extra flares
Smoke
Mirror
Strobe
VHF handheld

I'd add a 7mm neoprene hood in a bright color. You loose alot of body heat through the neck and head. Put everthing you need in a fanny pack with everything already tied to lanyards. I also use twist ties to keep my lanyards from getting tangled. As far as signal mirrors are concerned, get one that is designed for the purpose, with a hole in it so you can aim it.

JasonB

[JD5652]

The coast guard is not always the closest boat. If your boat goes down for whatever reason and you set off the epirb yes the CG will come get you but how long will it take?

There is probably other sport or charter boats that could get to you and help you quicker. I know here in oregon a CG boat would take 1 to 2 hours to reach the tuna grounds and a helicopter 30 to 45 mins.

If you have a GPS in your ditch bag then you will be able to give your lat/longs over the radio to anyone within radio range. I know you could argue that is what flares are for but what if it is foggy?

VHF AND GPS handhelds should be a must.

Luke

I agree with you here FSA80..... I have a Uniden Mystic that's a VHF AND GPS all rolled into one unit....

[JB2C]

Here's what's in my bag:

handheld GPS and VHF
Laser pointer rescue light
flares, smoke and handheld
dye marker
fishing kit
2 knives and multitool
sunscreen
2 Pelican type lights
spare batteries for GPS, VHF and flashlights
sunglasses and baseball cap with straps
small handheld compass
aluminum foil
mirror
ziploc bags
survival blankets
parachute cord and rope
basic small first aid kit (Tylenol, chapstick, motion sickness pills, bandaids, etc)
duct tape
energy bars
good loud whistle
roll out bright ribbon
leather gloves

With the exception of 3 or 4 items (GPS and VHF and the flashlights and roll of ribbon are the bulkier things) these are all small items, so don't take up too much space. I used to carry bottles of water, but just to heavy to lug around. So three things I have to remember to grab if I have to ditch... life jackets, which should already be on anyway. And the EPRIB and bottles of water. Thought about adding a submersible LED headlamp and some cheapo binocs in there too.

BTW, the leather gloves are just in case I need to leader a big fish while I'm floating around out there.

JB

[Jagsare1]

I wouldn't argue that but I strongly believe that most people over estimate your handheld VHF range. If you are either in the water or in a raft, the antennae is line of sight. If it is line of sight, there is a good chance someone will see you. One thing I do keep in the bag is a "rechargeable"(the kind that uses a pump to charge it) horn. This is a horn that sounds like a freon horn. If there is fog and flares can't be seen, they have a good chance to hear the horn if they are within handheld VHF range.

I wouldn't tell someone to take it out of the bag, I just believe it has very limited use.