Three "Essential" pieces of equipment some people forget.

[robsabloke]

Commonsense really... but you'd be surprised how many people forget three very important pieces of equipment... Please don't leave home without them..

1. Sunscreen... buy the heaviest you can get to protect you from the suns rays... and don't be bothered what you look like (Snowman face)... it's better to protect yourself and be around for a while longer to catch those beautiful gills... We all know what the alternative is.

2. Buy the best Polarized sunglasses you can afford... but 'Shop Around'... Expensive does not necessarily mean good. Some of the best I've found were from Bill Dance $15.00 a pair at Walmart... amber lenses... they were amazing... especially when searching for 'Beds'.

3. Disgorger (Hook removal tool). I grew up in England and learned to use a 'Disgorger' when I was just a lad. We needed them there because we fished with 'Tiny' hooks... sizes from 16 on down to 22... you could lose a size 22 inside a single maggot easily. The English style disgorgers work well for normal hooks but with Jigs they can be a hindrance. Try a pair of long nose medical forceps... I prefer the slightly curved ones because it keeps my hand out of the 'Line of Sight' and I can see what I am doing. Most of you already know this but Please don't forget to 'WET' your hands before handling any fish... the slime that covers them is their protection from disease.

Tight Lines ...

Rob

[John Cachel]

Good suggest!

What brand is good sunscreen that wouldn't smell like perfume or something. None sense mean catch more fish!

I agreed that Polarized sunglasses is a must!
I use brown for cloudy while gray for sunny! Great to spot dark area like underwater weeds, stump or dropped off, etc!

I use a small long nosepiler to remove the hook then let fish back to water without harm!
Disgorger is great idea but not easy to find it! Most seem to be little too big for bluegill's mouth!

[robsabloke]

Hi John...

I concentrate on the protection value more than anything else... but there are some that will say "Unscented" on the bottle. If the scent thing bothers you, you can always rinse off your hands and then spray a little 'Fish attractant' on your hands prior to baiting the hook.

Regards
Rob

[Copperhead John]

My dermatoligist who is a national expert on Mohs surgery for skin cancer used to say that any opaque bloc with zinc oxide is only kind to use. He also recommends Neutrogena Ultra Sheer dry-touch sunbloc spf 85 which is absorbed into the skin quickly and stops both uva and uvb rays. It is not oily at all and has no oder. He says to use nothing but a wide brimmed hat. After three skin cancers and numerous pre-cancerous lesions, I also use a bandana for my neck and "sun gloves" which are popular here in Florida especially for fishing on the saltwater flats. They are extremely light and have openings for fingers - you don't know you have them on after you get used to them. Recently, guides are also employing masks which can be used around the neck or to cover the face up to the nose for long exposure to the sun. Skin cancer is one of the most aggressive cancers and can kill you fast brother - don't mess around!

[steve b]

To wander over to the comedy side of this..... toilet paper has got to be #1. A Ruger single-six for when the fish just aren't cooperating, and BEER. LOL ! steve b

[robsabloke]

To continue on the lighter side... If one does forget the toilet paper... then the 'smell issue' that John was worried about would become a 'moot' point...

Rob

[steve b]

To get back to the serious side... Have two pairs of Orvis fishin' glasses that I use, one an amber/yellow for low light Steelhead. Sunscreen ? Rare to need here in the snowbelt of N.E. Ohio, but wear copiously when fishing Tampa Bay with family ! steve b

[robsabloke]

Steve...

A word to the wise... You don't have to see the sun in order for it to hurt you. Those UV & UB rays are still out there even when you can't see the sun. Please... Wear sun block every time you go out to the lake... it may just save your life.

Rob

[steve b]

Amen brother robsabloke. On a lake, on a boat, yes. I've worn sunscreen on 200ft of glacier ice, at 14,000 when it was 12 degrees in July ! Used to like Bonne Bell products, not sure what I'll buy when time to restock. steve b