You would never leave the dock without your tackle box or rod and reels…at least not on purpose. Besides having the key pieces of tackle and gear needed to catch fish on a fishing trip, you should carry items in your boat to keep you on the water and safe.

By thinking ahead and being prepared for situations you may face on the water, you can carry items needed to fix issues that arise, or perhaps avoid them all together. As you look forward to spending more time on the water in 2025, begin by being prepared. These eight items should be always in your boat.

Item #1

Boat control is vital to be successful on the water, and most bass fishermen rely on their bowmount trolling motor. Do everything in your power to make sure your batteries are charged, and your trolling motor is in prime working order. But once you leave the garage and are on the water, that all goes out the window. To be able to salvage your day of fishing and not be left at the mercy of the wind or current, I always carry a spare prop for my Minn Kota Ultrex, along with extra fuses, a rope for your handle or replacement cable kit, and shear pins. These items are small but will keep your trolling motor working for you.

Tip: If you have an older trolling motor on your boat that still has a nylon cord for its handle, replace it with one of the premium cable kits on the market, such as the Minn Kota Premium Cable Kit.

Item #2

A good quality rope wrapped around an extension cord holder allows you to quickly unwind it and then wrap it back up when not in use. It is important to have rope in case you need to be towed in, you need to tow another boat in, or to tie off on a dock, tree, etc. I carry a tow strap as my primary means for towing, or if I need to be towed in.

Tip: If you rely on rope to tie your boat up when docking, cut two short sections of rope, and put a clip on one end of each. This allows you to quickly tie up to a dock.

Item #3

Keeping your electronics clean not only prolongs their life and keeps them looking new, but a clean screen on your graph allows you to easily interpret the information displayed on the screen.

Tip: Have a clean microfiber towel—oh wait, I mean towels—in your boat. A clean towel will do a better job of getting your graphs clean. Having additional soft and clean towels is never a bad thing, as they can clean your sunglasses. And not to sound gross, but they do a better job than tissues when you need to blow your nose.

Item #4

Tape, tape and more tape is never a bad thing to have in a boat. I always keep rolls of duct and electrical tape in my boat toolbox, as you never know when something needs to be held together. From fixes to your motor or trolling motor, to wiring on your batteries, to attaching spinning reel to a rod handle, a simply roll of tape can keep your day on the water enjoyable.

Tip: I keep a roll of white electrical tape on board and use a small piece around my rod to denote the pound test line I have spooled up.

Item #5

A selection of basic tools will take care of many issues in a boat. I begin putting together my toolbox for the boat by installing any items I use to work on my boat when it’s in the garage. Basically, I make sure that I have that tool in the boat as well. Here is a quick rundown of tools to have in your boat:

• Phillips and flat head screw drivers in different sizes
• Prop wrench
• Knife
• Socket set
• Pliers and side cutters
• Wrenches
• Wire stripper

Tip: Keep these items in a waterproof case as rusty tools make a mess and may become damaged and unusable.

Item #6

Keeping some simple spare parts for your motor will help keep your day moving forward and your line wet. A spare prop and hub kit for your outboard is important so you can make a switch should your prop become damaged. Keeping spare spark plugs, filters and fuses is also a good idea to help curb simple problems.

Tip: If you aren’t sure what items you may need on the water, ask your marine mechanic.

Item #7

Carrying jumper cables or a portable car jumper system is important; if your starting battery fails to start, these items can help you get back underway. With jumper cables, you can hook your cables up to your trolling motor batteries or flag down another boat for a jump. Or, if you carry a portable, charged-up car jumper box, just connect that to your starting battery and turn it on. This will get you back to a boat ramp or dock where you can switch out your battery.

Tip: If you carry jumper cables, check them for corrosion. If you carry a portable power box, make sure it is charged and ready for use.

Bonus item

Accidents happen! Well, we need to be prepared for that and have a first aid kit on board. The same items you keep in your vehicle also serve a purpose on the water. Other items that you may not think of include bug spray and anti-itch cream should someone have an allergic reaction to a bug bite. A Go Med Kits Emergency Care Kit for Hunters works for fishermen too!

Tip: If you wear contact lenses or/glasses, keep an extra set of each in a box, along with a small mirror and contact lens solution. You never know when you’ll need them!

A day on the water fishing should be a fun and enjoyable event. Keeping these items in your boat will help keep your boat moving forward and your line wet.

Get more enjoyment from the time you spend on the water. Use information from the pros found in every issue of MidWest Outdoors, available by subscribing on our website.