Intro to Kayak Fishing
Posted: Mon May 07, 2007 2:10 pm
Intro to Kayak Fishing
1. Wear your PFD! Wearing you PFD increases your chances of survival by a phenomenal rate. Have an "action plan" in place for various unexpected emergencies. Quick and ready access to your PFD (if you're not wearing it) should be instantaneous should you end up in the water.
A good rule is that if you are paddling wear the PFD. It cannot save your life if it is strapped under the bungi cords of your kayak. Another good idea is to get a paddle leash, this way your paddle will always stay with your kayak.
2. Never paddle alone! If you do, file a paddle plan describing where you intend to be and the time you expect to be off of the water. Give this to someone at home. Do this in writing so they will not forget. with a buddy always maintain visual contact with your fishing buddy.
3. Practice falling off of your kayak and self rescues. No matter how good of a kayaker you are it is sometimes humbling to fall off of your kayak and try to climb back on. Practice this in a controlled environment and under supervision. A good idea is to take a basic paddling skills class under a certified instructor. This class may also review ways to rescue your buddies if they fall off.
4. Carry some sort of communication, cell phone, as well as a submersible marine VHF radio. Compass and handheld GPS: A great couple of tools that can be very helpful in the event of an emergency or for finding your way back to your launch. The GPS and Flashlight can run low on you and having a spare pack of batteries for each should be standard practice.
5. Dress for the weather; exposure can happen in any kind of weather situation. Both cold and hot weather have their dangers, so don't take any chances and wear the proper attire. Sunscreen, sunglasses, and wide brimmed hat- Important items to reduce exposure.
6. Also carry plenty of drinking water to prevent dehydration. Even in cold weather, if you are dressed properly, you will sweat and have a chance to get dehydrated. First Aid-carry some general supplies that include but aren't limited to: Bandaging, peroxide, Neosporin and tape.
7. Carry proper safety equipment. At the minimum you should have a whistle, flashlight, knife, and a signal mirror. If you fish at night, a good 360 degree white light is a good idea. It should be located on the highest point possible, so other boaters can see you. Strobes, either red or white should only be used to indicate distress. An anchor: A good anchor to hold you in place is important. It can keep you from drifting into trouble areas and if rescue is required will keep you located in one precise location.
8. Just like any exercise, kayak fishing requires a certain amount of physical activity. So it is a good idea to check with you doctor as you would do before starting any exercise routine.
9. Use a landing tool such as a lip gripper to handle fish. This will allow for better control of the fish and you are less likely to get hooked, or worse, loosing your catch before the hero shot.
10. • Storms- Check weather forecasts before you go. The phrase "keep an eye to the sky" comes to mind. Watch for developing weather. Don't get caught in rough storms and high seas because you were ignorant of pop up storms.
• Other water craft- Keep an eye out for other craft bearing down on you (Action plan: Have that signaling device handy for this situation). A craft like a sailboat doesn't put off a lot of noise so you must take a look around you, particularly if you frequent areas where a lot of sailboat operators use the waters.
• Take a look down before you enter the water. Dismount onto a jagged oyster bar, stingray, bull shark or jellyfish may add unwanted excitement to your life.
Have fun, but please be safety conscious as well!
Be alert and aware, panic is a deadly killer.
Thanks NEIL for your contribution, to keep everyone safe.
1. Wear your PFD! Wearing you PFD increases your chances of survival by a phenomenal rate. Have an "action plan" in place for various unexpected emergencies. Quick and ready access to your PFD (if you're not wearing it) should be instantaneous should you end up in the water.
A good rule is that if you are paddling wear the PFD. It cannot save your life if it is strapped under the bungi cords of your kayak. Another good idea is to get a paddle leash, this way your paddle will always stay with your kayak.
2. Never paddle alone! If you do, file a paddle plan describing where you intend to be and the time you expect to be off of the water. Give this to someone at home. Do this in writing so they will not forget. with a buddy always maintain visual contact with your fishing buddy.
3. Practice falling off of your kayak and self rescues. No matter how good of a kayaker you are it is sometimes humbling to fall off of your kayak and try to climb back on. Practice this in a controlled environment and under supervision. A good idea is to take a basic paddling skills class under a certified instructor. This class may also review ways to rescue your buddies if they fall off.
4. Carry some sort of communication, cell phone, as well as a submersible marine VHF radio. Compass and handheld GPS: A great couple of tools that can be very helpful in the event of an emergency or for finding your way back to your launch. The GPS and Flashlight can run low on you and having a spare pack of batteries for each should be standard practice.
5. Dress for the weather; exposure can happen in any kind of weather situation. Both cold and hot weather have their dangers, so don't take any chances and wear the proper attire. Sunscreen, sunglasses, and wide brimmed hat- Important items to reduce exposure.
6. Also carry plenty of drinking water to prevent dehydration. Even in cold weather, if you are dressed properly, you will sweat and have a chance to get dehydrated. First Aid-carry some general supplies that include but aren't limited to: Bandaging, peroxide, Neosporin and tape.
7. Carry proper safety equipment. At the minimum you should have a whistle, flashlight, knife, and a signal mirror. If you fish at night, a good 360 degree white light is a good idea. It should be located on the highest point possible, so other boaters can see you. Strobes, either red or white should only be used to indicate distress. An anchor: A good anchor to hold you in place is important. It can keep you from drifting into trouble areas and if rescue is required will keep you located in one precise location.
8. Just like any exercise, kayak fishing requires a certain amount of physical activity. So it is a good idea to check with you doctor as you would do before starting any exercise routine.
9. Use a landing tool such as a lip gripper to handle fish. This will allow for better control of the fish and you are less likely to get hooked, or worse, loosing your catch before the hero shot.
10. • Storms- Check weather forecasts before you go. The phrase "keep an eye to the sky" comes to mind. Watch for developing weather. Don't get caught in rough storms and high seas because you were ignorant of pop up storms.
• Other water craft- Keep an eye out for other craft bearing down on you (Action plan: Have that signaling device handy for this situation). A craft like a sailboat doesn't put off a lot of noise so you must take a look around you, particularly if you frequent areas where a lot of sailboat operators use the waters.
• Take a look down before you enter the water. Dismount onto a jagged oyster bar, stingray, bull shark or jellyfish may add unwanted excitement to your life.
Have fun, but please be safety conscious as well!
Be alert and aware, panic is a deadly killer.
Thanks NEIL for your contribution, to keep everyone safe.
