Whether you plan to spend a day on the high seas or a small inland lake, the most important fishing boat accessories will help you make the very most of your time on the water. The key is to remember that appearance and trends should never outweigh safety and function. Make sure you have these ten things for a safe and relaxing boating experience.

1. Personal Flotation Device. When it comes to fishing boat accessories, a PFD is the most important safety accessory to have. Make sure your life jacket or PFD is USCG approved and that you have one on board for every passenger.

2. PLB or EPIRB. If you’ve heard both terms, but are still wondering, “What is an EPIRB or PLB?” — now is the perfect time to learn. Both devices will quickly and accurately relay your position to a network of search and rescue satellites. Even on inland or inshore waterways, consider the times when your cell phone battery has died, your phone has overheated in the sun, or when you’ve been stuck without service. That’s not something you want to experience in the event of an emergency, so invest in an EPIRB (emergency position indicating radio beacon) or PLB (personal locator beacon). Read the ACR EPIRB reviews and survivor stories to find out exactly why you should never be outdoors without one.

3. First Aid Kit. Another one of the most important safety boating accessories for women (or anyone for that matter) is a first aid kit. Your first-aid kit should include items such as antibiotic ointment, alcohol gel hand wipes, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, antihistamine, aspirin, barrier gloves, scissors, tweezers, bandage roll, adhesive tape, sterile gauze pads, band-aids, butterfly closures, and flexible fabric adhesive bandages of various sizes.

4. Marine Radio. Today’s hand-held VHF radios are extremely convenient to use, and they have an advantage in an emergency since they are independent of a boat’s electrical system. A marine radio can help you obtain and relay information regarding weather, boat traffic, and the movement of large commercial vessels.

5. Fishing Shoes. Skip the flip-flops and get a pair of women’s fishing shoes that fit properly and have non-marking, non-slip soles. Well-made fishing shoes will help protect your feet from pokes with hooks, gear, or fish fins while enabling you to better maintain your footing in choppy conditions.

6. Fishing Rod. While there are women’s fishing rods on the market in a number of models and colors, be careful not to let rod color or style take precedence over functionality. If you want to be able to successfully land fish, you need the right tool for the task. Consider the type of fishing you plan to do (technique, location, and species), and then research the best type of rod for that particular application. For example, you’ll want a longer rod (7 feet) if you’re sight fishing for redfish on the flats, but a shorter rod (6-foot) if you’re jigging for spotted seatrout.

7. Pliers. From cutting line to removing hooks, a good pair of pliers is an essential fishing and boating accessory. Be sure to purchase a pair that’s made from a strong waterproof, non-corrosion material, has the appropriate nose length, and comes with a built-in line cutter.

8. Polarized Sunglasses. Polarized sunglasses that cut through glare while protecting your eyes from harmful UV rays are an absolute must-have on any list of women’s fishing gear. Many women’s sunglass manufacturers even offer specialty lenses for different fishing scenarios (offshore, inshore, and cloudy conditions).

9. Stainless Steel Water Bottle. It’s important to stay hydrated while cutting back on the use of plastic water bottles. Use refillable stainless steel bottles instead. Particularly during the hot summer months, you may want to bring along electrolyte replacement tablets to help your body replenish vitamins and minerals.

10. Dry Bag. Keep your phone, electronics, fishing license, wallet, boat registration, and other items safe and dry in a waterproof dry bag. Most dry bags have a roll top closure, taped seams, and clip for securely attaching it your boat or kayak.

If you have these ten important fishing and boating accessories, you are well on your way to prepping like a pro.

Debbie Hanson is an award-winning outdoor writer, women’s sport fishing advocate, IGFA world record holder, and freshwater charter captain living in Southwest Florida. Hanson’s written work has appeared in publications such as Florida Game & Fish Magazine, BoatUS Magazine, and USA Today Hunt & Fish. To learn more about her work, visit shefishes2.com or follow her on Instagram @shefishes2.