Nothing is better than going fishing on a hot summer's day--but on trips that are especially long, how can you make sure that you are keeping your food safe? This article discusses three great tips to help keep your food safe on a long fishing trip. Not only will the food taste great, but it will be safe to eat as well!
Pack Smart
One of the best ways that you can keep food safe while boating is to bring foods that don't require refrigeration. Foods such as peanut butter sandwiches make a great snack while fishing because not only are they high in protein and whole grains, both of which are guaranteed to help keep you feeling full for a longer period of time--but these foods don't need to be kept cool, and therefore can be left in the sunlight with no risk of contamination. Other great items that you may want to consider bringing on a fishing trip includes oranges and apples. Like whole grains, these fruits contain high amounts of fiber, which are bulky and therefore take up a lot of room in your stomach and make you feel full. In addition, these fruits are relatively sturdy--meaning that they can be knocked about in a fishing boat, with little to no damage.
Keep Food Cool
If you really, really need to bring the types of food along on your fishing trip that require refrigeration, it is essential that you pack them properly into a cooler that is guaranteed to keep your food cold for an extended period of time. While there are currently manufactured ice packs on the market that can be placed in coolers and claim to keep food cold, sometimes the simplest products are the best. If you are going on a fishing trip, why not bring a plain old frozen water bottle? This can be thrown in the cooler with ease--and what's great is that if for some reason the ice chest is damaged, there are no chemicals in the water bottles that can potentially leak into the food.
Protect Food From Water
Finally, when boating, be sure to keep all food safe from contamination by water or fish. Fresh water, especially, can contain bacteria that if it gets into your food can be very dangerous to your health. Make sure to pack all food in containers that prevent water from entering--for example, ziplock backs or storage containers. Finally, try to find a good place on your fishing boat or with your gear to place the food. Ideally, it should be located in a high spot that is far away from where you will be pulling fish into the boat. Be sure to wash your hands before grabbing food from the supply in order to prevent cross contamination from occurring.
