Depends on where you plan on going fishing. Flares are not required if not going out past the line of demarcation. (generally into the gulf or the ocean). If you do not wish to cary flares, the next best thing i can recommend is to get a stobe light from stearns, stobes can be seen very easily under night vision googles which is what we wear when doing SAR in the helicopters (USCG). The flashing light of a strobe will help tremondously in aiding people find you vs. looking at every light on the water. Other things, especially if fishing the great lakes or the mobile, california, lousiana delta would be a handheld radio as cell phones are pretty much useless down here. Always file a float plan (tell someone where you are fishing and when you are going to be home). I carry flares on my boat, fire extinguisher, a whistle in the life jackets and a chemlight in the pockets, and have a small blowhorn for my sound producing signal, throwable cushion, a paddle and a dirft sock.
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