Ditch bags

[Mango Man]

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

[Huntersun]

Add: drinking water
MRE or 2 (food)
first aid
bandannas & para cord (multi purpose)
cheap knife

[unoyankeefan]

The two most important items are an EPIRB and either a survival suit in cold water or a life vest in water water. As long as you have those two things you have the basics and everything else is a bonus. A big mistake is putting so much in a ditch bag that it become cumbersome and you pack it away too far out of reach when you really need it.

I fish once in a while alone and I make sure that I wear a life vest (the light weight kind that self inflates), have the EPIRB clipped to me, and I use a long lanyard on the kill switch. I've cut the engine by accident a couple of times moving around while trolling but no biggie, I just re-attach it and crank it back up, but if I ever go overboard the boat should not move too far and I should be able to get back to it.

[Mango Man]

I use a long lanyard on the kill switch. I've cut the engine by accident a couple of times moving around while trolling but no biggie, I just re-attach it and crank it back up, but if I ever go overboard the boat should not move too far and I should be able to get back to it.

Very good point that I honestly forget some days.

[Capt. Brian Daley]

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

Dont forget your blow up doll and it acts as a floatation device

[BIGJAHOOTIE]

THATS AWSOME AND IT WILL KEEP YOU BUSY WHILE YOU WAIT

[Matuka Fly]

I would add a teathering rope
A 40ft. bright ribbon so it can be seen in swells making it easier to be located.
Spare batteries
light sticks
hand held GPS

[hotrodmarlin]

Capt Brian- That is Hilarious

In addition to all the other stuff - I have vienna sausages and sabiki rigs in mine.

[Jagsare1]

Everyone always recommends a handheld GPS in a ditch bag. I have thought of every angle and unfortunately experienced a ditch. I simply see no advantage to have a GPS in the ditch bag. The EPIRB will give your position and I don't see a use for the GPS unless it is required for an older GPIRB where a seperate GPS has to be attached to it. I have a handheld GPS but do not store it in the ditch bag. My .02.

[FSA80]

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