Safety on the Bank and on the Water: What Every Angler Should Know

Fishing is a calm sport, but conditions by the water can change fast. A sudden storm, slippery rocks or a badly loaded boat can turn into a dangerous situation within minutes. Here are the rules and habits that prevent most accidents.

Weather and lightning

Always check the forecast and any warnings before you set off, and keep an eye on the sky while you fish. Hungary's large lakes, including Balaton (Lake Balaton), Velencei-tó (Lake Velence) and Tisza-tó (Lake Tisza), have a storm warning light system. With a first-degree warning the shore lights flash 45 times a minute, and boats, including anglers' boats, must stay close to shore, within 500 metres. With a second-degree warning the lights flash 90 times a minute: everyone must get off the water at once and fishing has to stop.

Lightning is one of an angler's worst enemies. A carbon rod is an excellent conductor, and an open bank or the surface of a lake makes you the highest point around. If you can hear thunder, the storm is already too close:

• put your rods down and don't hold them;
• don't shelter under a lone tree or stay in your bivvy on an open bank;
• the best shelter is a closed car or a building;
• only go back once at least half an hour has passed since the last thunder.

In a boat and on the water

Fishing from a boat calls for extra care. The most important rule: wear a life jacket, don't just bring one. In cold water or rough waves even a strong swimmer can get into trouble in moments. In some situations boating rules make wearing one compulsory, and children and non-swimmers should always have one on.

Other basics:

• don't overload the boat, and spread the weight evenly;
• don't stand up suddenly, especially while playing a fish;
• always tell someone where you're going and when you'll be back;
• keep your phone in a waterproof case on your body.

Dangers on the bank

Most angling accidents happen not on the water but on the bank. Wet grass, algae-covered stones and rock revetments are extremely slippery, and river banks can be undercut and give way without warning. On the Danube and other navigable rivers, the wash from large vessels can surge surprisingly high and sweep away gear left on the bank, or even a person.

Overhead power lines are especially dangerous. Never fish or cast near power lines, and always carry your rod horizontally underneath them. Electricity doesn't even need a carbon rod to touch the line; getting too close is enough.

If you wade, always wear a belt on your chest waders. If you do fall, the belt stops the waders from filling with water quickly.

Cold water and ice

In autumn, winter and early spring, cold water is the biggest danger. Cold shock can take your breath away in the first minutes and trigger panic, and hypothermia quickly drains your strength. If you fall in, try to stay calm, turn onto your back and get your breathing under control first.

Ice fishing is only allowed where the local rules permit it. Ice thickness can vary a lot even on a single lake, especially near inflows, along reed beds and over springs. Never go onto the ice alone, and take a rope and ice picks with you.

Summer heat, insects and night fishing

In summer, sunstroke and dehydration are the more common problems. Bring plenty of water, wear a hat and sunglasses, and find shade around midday. Ticks are common in bankside grass, so check yourself after fishing.

For night fishing, carry a head torch with spare batteries. Get to know the spot in daylight: where the bank is steep, and where the holes and snags are.

First aid and emergencies

Keep a small first aid kit in your tackle with plasters, disinfectant, tweezers and a pair of cutting pliers. If a hook goes deep into the skin, especially on the face or near the eye, don't force it out; see a doctor instead.

In an emergency call 112. On Balaton, the water police also have a separate free emergency number, 1817. Having location services switched on on your phone helps a lot when you need to give your exact position.

A short checklist before you leave:

1. I've checked the forecast and any warnings.
2. Someone knows where I'm fishing and when I'll be home.
3. My phone is charged and I have a power bank.
4. I have my first aid kit, and my life jacket if I'm fishing from a boat.
5. I know the rules of the water and what the storm warning signals mean.

Summary

Safe fishing isn't complicated: watch the weather, wear a life jacket on the water, stay away from power lines and slippery banks, and always let someone know where you are. When you pick a new water on the map search, it's worth checking its page for the rules and facilities at the pegs as well.