What's a given for Texas in August? Heat, heat, and more heat. My son, one of his friends, and myself fished for white bass in Lake Livingston in the summer, trolling up and down the lower part of the lake. When the heat got to be too much we could do one of two things. Reel in and go for a fast boat ride and let the wind cool us down, or stow the rods, find a quiet cove, drop anchor, strap on life jackets and go overboard. Floating on your back in the cool water was a real heat killer. Too much sun and heat can be a threat to your life. Without proper protection from the sun and drinking enough fluids can result in heat exhaustion and heat stroke. 10 tips to beat the Texas heat 1. Start early. Be on the water 30 minutes before sunrise. For about 2 hours, it will be noticeably cooler. Start the day at 5:30 a.m. and be off the water by 10:00 a.m.. 2. Try night fishing. Begin fishing as the sun is setting, giving your eyes chance to adjust to the changing light conditions. 3. Drink lots of water. Drink often, not just a few sips now and then. Make it a habit to pack extra water so there's plenty for yourself and extra in case your fishing partner didn't bring enough. 4. Drink before you feel thirsty. When your body sends a signal for thirst, you're already dehydrated. 5. Keep coolers out of the sun to prolong their capabilities. Also, limit how often you open and close a cooler lid to keep cool air in the container. Fill used 2 liter bottles with water and freeze them before going out on your trip. Putting the frozen bottles in a cooler will last longer than dumping a bag of ice over the drinks. 6. Wear a hat. I use to wear the standard baseball hat. My ears start telling me they had been abused enough, A wide brim hat will do a better job protecting your face, ears and neck from the sun's rays. 7. Protect your eyes with sunglasses. Polarized lenses will cut down on the sun's glare on the water, letting you spot fish and underwater structure. Wrap-around options are extremely popular as they hug the face and do an excellent job blocking out the sun. 8. Use sunscreen on a regular basis. Adults should use a sunscreen with a minimum SPF 15 rating and children should use sunscreen with at least a 30 SPF rating. Don't forget the ears, nose, feet and hands Don't forget other exposed areas of skin. If you're standing and fishing all day in sandals, it won't take long for your toes to get burnt. Regularly apply a lot of sunscreen to your feet and don't be shy putting on some ultra-light socks or switching to shoes if your feet get too hot. Don't neglect your hands. If you're landing and releasing fish all day, sunscreen can quickly wash off, so reapply often. 9. Protect your skin with proper clothing. There is great sportswear that helps protect the skin, but also offers relief from the heat through ventilation, moisture wicking and quick drying. Look for vented cape backs in shirts for maximum ventilation. 10. Last, but not least. Take a break once in awhile and find a shady place. Have a drink of something cool. Maybe you won't be jumping overboard as we did, but find some way or place to take a break and cool off. It's Texas and it's hot. Nothing you can do about that, but you can take steps to keep cool and safe outdoors enjoying your favorite sport. Photo courtesy of fishing guide Dave Cox, (936-291-9602)