BY JOE BALOG

I’ve spent much of my adult life outdoors, by design. Given the choice between any form of indoor entertainment and a simple walk outside, I’m lacing up my shoes. Even if it’s raining.

I’ve been outside all 12 months of the year, from Canada to the Keys. Sure, I’ve never floated the Amazon or wintered in Alaska, but I’ve paid my dues, believe me; I’ve learned a bunch of lessons. Fish don’t care how big your boat is. Moon phases matter. Never trust a weatherman.

In addition, experience has steered me toward valuable equipment that’s made my adventures easier and safer. While you won’t find me consulting the latest app for advice, there are a number of accessories I’ve come to rely on.

The cornerstone of my lifestyle is an insulated, refillable water jug. Staying hydrated is an important part of well-being, and a constant chore in Florida’s heat. No doctor has ever advised patients to drink less water. Plus, the plastic bottle issue is absurd, recyclable or not, as is paying for an otherwise “free” product.

Several years ago, I bought a 1-gallon insulated Yeti jug, and it goes with me everywhere. I just dump in some ice and fill it from the tap. My wife prefers filtered water from the fridge for her half-gallon model. Either way, we both have more than enough to drink for the day, the water stays cold, and we throw away nothing.

Regardless of the brand you choose, make the move to reusable. You’ll wonder what you were thinking this whole time.

Sun-gaiters, or “Buffs,” are a Godsend. I’ve been using these on my neck and head for years and never leave home without one.

Fishing trips, hikes, paddles or a quick jog all find me sporting a Buff. These stretchy sun-shields are made from cool, moisture-wicking material, providing a comfortable sunblock and less reliance on liquids.

You’ll see hardcore anglers pull their gaiters up around their noses, blocking their entire face. For my money, the real sell is keeping the sun off your neck, regardless of outdoor pursuit, to prevent the skin from looking like an alligator’s.

Speaking of sun protection, I’m going to share with you a very basic principle that many modern Floridians never learned. Covering the body from the sun is the key to staying cool, not exposing more skin. This fundamental has been passed on by cultures inhabiting the hottest parts of the planet. This is why you see fully garbed nomads in the desert, or long flowing clothes on the people of Africa and South Asia.

Modern apparel makes things easy. Everywhere you turn, there’s gear available in breathable, light fabrics, providing excellent protection from the sun. I choose long sleeves every time, and frequently sub in long pants that weigh next to nothing and come in handy for keeping the bugs off.

Combined with my Buff and a wide-brimmed hat, I’m able to stay comfortable during the hottest part of the day, all summer long, and continue on my quest for a giant bass or snapper dinner while staying out of the dermatologist’s office.

In the boat, I always have a hook sharpener nearby, most likely a simple diamond-stone. The single biggest factor you can control to catch more fish is using sharp hooks. Most hooks nowadays come out of the package sticky sharp, thanks to a chemical sharpening process. However, after a few hours of fishing, they dull slightly. A quick ride on the stone brings those hooks back to life, and will result in more fish catches than you thought possible for such a minor mod. Remember that the next time you hook a fish for just a few seconds, only to lose it halfway in. The hook was never set.

PFDs, or “life jackets” are an important part of safety on the water, but hardly taken seriously by most boaters. Granted, I’m not too worried about drowning when bass fishing with buddies up around the shoreline, but anytime I venture out alone — especially offshore — I wear an inflatable PFD.

Again, this is one of those things that you’ll kick yourself over for not doing sooner. Inflatable PFDs are so noninvasive, you don’t even know they’re on. Modern models only inflate when submerged, never from rain or spray, thanks to hydrostatic technology. And the piece of mind is invaluable for you and your loved ones.

You’ll want to record your adventures. For better than 20 years, I’ve been keeping logbooks of my times afield, hunting, fishing, shrimping, scalloping; anything where fish and game come into play. I admit, I’m the underdog from the start, and recording my finds helps key me in next time.

Weather, tides, baitfish, all go down in my log, as well as hot spots and the tidbits I learned that day. Even a little boat-ramp gossip may get an asterisk.

It’s incredible how our minds remember what they want to, and not always the facts. Things blend together, and often the most important pieces are lost. A logbook prevents that. You won’t believe what you’re missing until you start recording and rereading.

Finally, I’ll leave you with a piece of outdoor advice: Never be satisfied, and don’t expect the same results twice. This is the biggest downfall I see from outdoor enthusiasts across the board, and always have. They catch a fish, or spot a unique bird or other wild creature and expect a repeat performance the next time out. That rarely, if ever, happens.

Sure, when we succeed in the outdoors, it bumps up our egos and gives us the feeling that we have everything figured out. But we don’t.

If you want to get ahead and become a seasoned outdoor person, make it a point to try new things each time afield, and really learn your quarry. Nothing happens randomly in nature, and the best we can do is to learn to recognize the clues we’re given.

To really enjoy time outdoors, submerge yourself in it and attempt to become a naturalist, not an expert. Everything is connected, all the way down to the plants and the bugs, the seeds and the bees. It’s amazing how we, as human beings, have a tendency to ignore this simple principle, and find ourselves moving further from Mother’s rules.

The natural world is trying to speak to you. Next time out, listen. I’ll see you out there.