For those that have never fished or toured in a particular lake or waterway a good idea is to book your first trip with a guide or make sure that the boat has a GPS and directional system onboard. This is particularly important on open waters were it is easy to become lost or unsure of directions.

If you have never driven a boat or are unfamiliar with being on the water, it is highly recommended that you bring someone with you that is experienced in handling a boat. It is relatively easy to manage a boat, but if there is a problem it may be difficult to find help on open waters.

Read and research about boats and boating safety before going out on the water. There are lots of rules and restrictions for being out on the water and there are laws that specifically apply to boats, be sure to clearly understand off limit areas and how they are marked as well as laws that apply on the water.