Fish with Vision

By Bill Kessler

Certified Safety Specialist

Being a safety and health professional by trade and a tournament bass angler at heart, I was intrigued but not shocked by statistics showing that eye injuries occur more frequently in fishing than in any other sport.  Approximately 80% of those injuries are caused by a lure, hook and/or a sinker striking the eye.  Although the data includes injuries suffered while fishing for a variety of species with different techniques and by many anglers with limited experience, seasoned bass anglers are not immune to the risk.

As bass anglers we tend to have exceptional casting, lure retrieval, and fish handling skills, but the characteristics of the sport increase our exposure.  Frequent casting and retrieving, shallow water fishing, and above-surface structures create unique risk factors.  Fortunately, most of us have not been seriously injured but many of us have experienced or witnessed close calls.  Here are a few things you can do to minimize your injury potential:

Ø  Practice short, fast hook sets when fishing shallow water - This will keep the bait from flying toward you on the rare occasion you don’t stick the fish.

Ø  Retrieve or cut off lures hung in shallow structure – Not pulling and yanking on them may save you and your boat a scar or two.

Ø  Avoid being in the direction of pull of a loaded rod when landing fish – If the fish shakes and throws the hook the roles can reverse quickly.

Ø  Be aware of the location of others in the boat at all times – This is very important, and even more challenging with children. 

Ø  Wear a ball cap or visor – I have witnessed the bill of a hat deflect a sure-to-be-painful Zara Spook on more than one occasion.

Ø  Wear glasses with impact-resistant lenses – Manufacturers of high-end sunglasses, such as SolarBat, have polarized lenses for all light conditions that are designed to withstand impact.

This may seem like common sense guidance but too many anglers don’t follow it or ignore it in the heat of the moment.  Turn these practices into habits and decrease your risk of suffering a potentially serious injury.  Stay safe on the water!         

Bill Kessler:     Certified Safety Professional (CSP)

Sponsors:         Nixon’s Marine

                        Skeeter Boats

                        Wilcox & Flegel Oil Company

                        Rogue Rods