Beginner

Hi All,
As a complete novice who is contemplating boat fishing, what do I need to know and need to do etc before you go near the water?
I would appreciate any answers giving both legal requirements and just responsible boating requirements.




(Sorry if this topic is addressed in a post already on this site. I couldn't find it)

Hi there. People are going to suggest the various courses you can do (and you should) but really, experience is the vital thing and possibly the best way to get that quickly is to meet up with some well-seasoned boat anglers and go out fishing with them on their boats. Maybe try putting up a request for an Elmer on the Meets Buddies and Seats section? If you're in Swords, there should be loads of help at hand.

I'd have to agree with what is said above, my da and his brothers have all worked on, skippered, or owned various sizes of boats over the years, so I've sort of grew up with it, and there is no way in hell, I'd contemplate buying a boat without having a good few trips under your belt on both charter angling boats, and smaller private boats. It would probably also be a good idea to have somone experienced to agree to accompany you on your own boat, few your first few trips.
Everybody has to pass a driving test before they are let loose on our roads on their own in a car, but yet any ejit(no offence intended) can buy a boat and hit the open water, its fekin madness!