{"id":6575,"date":"2019-02-16T17:18:11","date_gmt":"2019-02-16T17:18:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rangetoreel.com\/?p=6575"},"modified":"2019-02-16T17:18:12","modified_gmt":"2019-02-16T17:18:12","slug":"packing-a-fishing-lunch","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rangetoreel.com\/packing-a-fishing-lunch\/","title":{"rendered":"Packing a Fishing Lunch: What’s Your Favorite?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

What\u2019s better than a well packed lunch after a long day of fishing. Bringing in that last bass before you take a break might come close. Bringing along a packed lunch might seem like a simple concept to experienced anglers, but you\u2019d be surprised how many beginners forget the basics.  
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You don\u2019t want to go hungry out on the water. \u00a0So before you head out for the day make sure you have a solid lunch packed and ready to go. \u00a0I know how trivial this might seem, but you don\u2019t want to ruin a great day of fishing with a warm soggy mess of a lunch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tips For Packing a Fishing Lunch<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Choose a Hard Bodied Cooler<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

I don’t care how careful you are you’ll eventually step on and destroy your lunch in a soft bodied cooler. Go with one of those hybrid hard\/soft body coolers that you would use on a construction site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Personally I always go with those cheap Igloo Playmate Coolers you always see at garage sales(this is what I’m talking about<\/a>). They’re big enough to store a big lunch and 4 or 5 water bottles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Make Sure You Have Enough To Drink
<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s just something about being out on the open water that really drains you.  Sitting out in the hot sun all day really makes you sweat. On those hot summer days you need to make sure you have enough water.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Staying hydrated isn’t just about comfort, it’s a safety issue as well. By the time you actually feel thirsty your body’s already running low on water.  Once you feel thirsty, you’re down to about one third of the required water to survive.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This means you need to pack a lot of drinking water. For every 2 hours you are out on the water you need to have at least one bottle of drinking water \/ sports drink. Not only will this replenish your thirst, it’ll keep you sharp and clear-headed.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pack Frozen Water Bottles
<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

You have to carry water bottles anyway, so you might as well freeze them to keep your lunch cool. I like to pack two thawed water bottles  for early morning and four frozen bottles for later in the day. You’ll appreciate that cold frozen water later in the day when the sun comes up around noon.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bring Easy to Handle Snacks
<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Remember you\u2019re hands aren\u2019t going to be clean most of the day.  You\u2019ll be handling worms, minnows and bleeding fish. Getting dirty shouldn\u2019t bother the experienced fisherman, but you still don\u2019t want to eat dirt and fish blood.  
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bring along snacks that you won\u2019t have to use your hands to eat.  I always bring along a can of peanuts that I can randomly poor into my mouth.  If you\u2019re more of a chip guy bring a tube of pringles that you can slowly pour into your mouth.  You don\u2019t want to bring out the wet wipes everytime you want a snack.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bananas are another great option for a midday snack.  Since you only ever touch the peel you can quickly eat a banana without washing your hands.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bring Handy Wipes or Wet Wipes
<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Having a couple young kids at home means I always have those handy wipes ready to go.  Go to the store and look for a travel container of wet wipes.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Purell and Lysol both make a travel size tub designed to fit in your cup holder.  These are great for wiping fish slime off your hands. Who wants to eat a PB&J for lunch when they\u2019ve got shad guts all over their hands.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Pack a Fishing Lunch
<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

You don\u2019t want to go hungry so make sure you pack a decent sized lunch.  Bring along a couple sandwiches, some fruit(apples and bananas) and something to snack on throughout the day.  
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I think I can safely assume that you already know how to make a sandwich. \u00a0If not you need to seriously reconsider your life choices. Over the years I\u2019ve came up with a few common-sense tips that kept my sandwiches fresh throughout the day. \u00a0Nobody wants to eat a soggy sandwich come lunch time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n