Boat Rental must-haves

[Gunnin4fish]

Being a newbie to fishing I've often rented boats at various lakes around Minnesota. I've compiled a list of things that I always take along in a rented boat. But let's knock around some ideas.

In order of importance

1. An anchor with 100 ft of rope. Absolutely essential to bring along. In my modest travels I've encountered two situations where my own anchor was necessary.

The proprietor gives you an adequate anchor and 6 feet of anchor rope and you enjoy a day sailing or the proprietor gives you an adequate anchor with 100 feet of rope but it gets windy and, again, hey-ho you go sailing.

2. A five gallon bucket (lid optional) A wonderful multifunctional piece of hardened plastic. A tote, a live-well, a measuring device, a beacon, and among other uses, of course: a head.

3. A GPS. Properly used can get you back to the dock without going on the rocks. And you know your trolling speed. This is really nice to have when you're on lakes shaped like a squid in heat.

4. A portable fish/depth finder. Yes, lake maps are good but the devil is in the details and the precise location of the depths and drop-offs. Especially on lake you haven't fished before. I haven't taken the plunge on this purchase but it's becoming more essential the more I go fishing.

Those along with some food and drink are the basics I've found to be essential. There's some other topic in here that covers "Boat Essentials" that is helpful too.

What do you think?

[jtroop]

Portable bow/stern lights if you're going to be out in the dark.

[Gunnin4fish]

yeah, I was contemplating buying a set for when I use my friend's boat. He has a place on a lake by Brainerd but doesn't fish.

Towards Fall I also like having along a waterproof tote for dry clothes and rain gear.

[pushbutton]

i would also get a cheap used rear mount trolling motor, a lot easier covering ground on what might often be unfamiliar water. good call on the rain gear....the lack of any cognitive thought process resulted in me being quite wet today......