Texas Gulf Coast

[Fishin' DC's]

An Epirb is a battery operated device that in case of sinking (which Triumphs should not do) will send a signal via satellite to the Coast Guard with your lat/long coordinates so you can get plucked out of the deep blue. Here's a link to one company that supplies them, I'm sure there are others:

http://www.landfallnavigation.com/epirb.html

I carry a gaff, but have never had need for it. I carry a big dip net that I picked up at Bass Pro that has worked fine so far. A gaff would come in handy on a legal cobia and kingfish that couldn't be brought in any other way. You can pick one up in either a short handle, or long handle variety.

What's the plastic bucket for?
As for the bucket, while it is not a necessity for me, it is for my wife and daughters. The front mega hold can turn into a "ladies room" and the bucket into the plastic throne.

Better to ask questions now than to realize 20 miles out that you should have asked something. We've all been there...and still are asking questions.

[MolarBoater]

A 4' gaff and a hand gaff might be plenty. I use the hand gaff most and just slip it under the lower jaw without harming fish. I went to the hardware store and bought a 5' aluminum straight edge ruler and screwed it to the inside gunnal up against the transome. A quick easy way to measure as well as cheap and durable.

You might consider a hand held personal EPIRB with GPS. They run about $500 now on the internet. They do not float so don't drop them. You might consider the offshore type life jackets like mentioned above which have extra foatation and attach some whistles and lights.

A ditch bag is good to have with hand held flares, P-Eperb, handheld gps, your keys and wallet. Use a yellow SeaSeal/waterproof duffle bag type etc.

Just ask questions.....you'll probably over pack the boat and then start weeding out the stuff you don't need!

[llama]

The information you guys are giving me is great and I do appreciate it. As you all know I'm a complete rookie at offshore fishing. My wife says I don't know enough to be a rookie. I realy appreciat all the advice and I'm going to have a lot of fun outfitting this boat. I've been told a porta potti fits in the console. Is that true?

[MolarBoater]

I make my female visitors walk the plank aka swim platform!
I do have a bucket that will work if needed but my castnet fits there now.