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What do we need to get started?
Getting started with kayak fishing it’s the one thing that we have all done.
There is a lot to take in to account when we start to spend our money, like the things we are going to need to carry on the kayak, what clothing are we going to need, and what safety equipment are we going to take out with us. All this before we have even loaded the kayak with our fishing gear.
In the list below is 23 items some you may not need and others that are important to your safety as well as others.
All content on www.justkayakfishing.co.uk is set up as a guide only
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Paddle leash, pfd, whistle, knife, spare paddle anchor, spare rope, dry suit, wet suit, dry bottoms, kag top,
neoprene boots, wet boots, gloves, hat, first aid kit, , flares, vhf radio, gps and compass, phone in a dry bag,
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Paddle leash,
The paddle leash is one of the most important peaces of kit; it will stop you from loosing the paddle when out on the water.
There are two rules of thought on this; one is that you attach the leash to you so if you fall out you will always have the paddle with
you. But I prefer to leash the paddle to the kayak, the reason for this is you are more likely to fall out of the kayak when you are
paddling in the surf zone or in rough sea, and if you do fall out your natural instinct is to grip or to hold on to something
and as you are already holding the paddle that is attached to kayak you should never lose you’re kayak |
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Pfd
Pfd personal flotation device; the most important peace of equipment you will ever buy. This should be worn at all times
even if you are only in water that is two foot deep.
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Whistle
Most pfd’s will have them attached to it when you buy one, but if yours doesn’t have one then buy one.
Whistles are far more important than people think; a whistle can be heard at far greater distances than you’re voice will carry.
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Knife
You should always carry a knife at all times on you’re person , because as we are fishing off our kayaks there are lots of hooks
and lines that you could get caught up on ,if you fall off. |
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Spare paddle
Not a lot of people do carry a spare paddle ,but you should try too carry one at all times because you never know you may
lose you’re main paddle or break a blade ,the spare paddle can be kept in the hull of you’re boat or strapped too the bow. |
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Anchors
A lot of people don’t think of an anchor as a piece of safety equipment but it is an essential piece of you’re safety equipment,
because if you injure yourself and are unable too paddle you can deploy the anchor while you are waiting for assistance. |
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Spare rope
It is always wise too carry some spare rope in you’re kayak ,this can be used for all sorts of things like towing a buddy in, as a
throw line, or even just adding a bit extra on too you’re a anchor line. |
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Dry suit
Dry suits are becoming the most common garment too wear whilst out on the kayak. The dry suit will keep you totally dry and
you can wear thermal clothes under it keeping you warm. The dry suit comes into its own in the winter or if you fall in and are
unable too get back on you’re kayak, it will give you a far greater time in the water before hypothermia starts too set in. |
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Wet suit
Wet suits come in two thicknesses, 5mm and 3mm .3mm wet suits can be ideal for summer use, but even then you can feel
very cold in them. The plus side too them is you will have a lot more freedom of movement compared too a dry suit. a top tip
when wearing a wet suit is too wear a fleece under them, as the fleece will retain you’re body temperature even when wet.
The way a wet suit works is that it retains a film of water between you’re body and you’re suit and you’re body heats up the
water keeping you warm, but if there is any wind this will make you feel cold straightaway. |
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Dry bottoms
There are lots of different types of bottoms on the market but the best ones are the ones that have feet in them.
Dry bottoms are exactly what they say they are.
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Kag top
Kag tops should not be mistaken for spray tops. kag tops will usually have two layers of material around the waist and
have neck and wrist seals made out of neoprene or latex .The kag top will keep you dry if you fall in, where a spray top
will let water get to you’re torso through the neck and wrists. |
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Neoprene boots and socks
These are worn in conjunction with a wet suit, I would strongly advise you wear these when wearing a wet suit as most
kayaks will be wet in the footwell and your feet is the one part of the body that is not moving so blood does not get pumped
around them as quick. |
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Wet boots
Wet boots normally worn with dry suit or dry bottoms, these will protect the neoprene or latex feet on you’re suit when
walking over shale beaches and rocks, and will help keep you’re feet nice and warm. |
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Gloves
There are many different types of gloves that you can wear, but I only wear my neoprene gloves when it is extremely cold. |
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Hats
Two types of hat that we use on kayaks, one being a thermal hat for winter use as we lose about 80% of our body heat through
our head, and the other would be summer hat, something with a peak or rim on it ,this will help keep the sun off you’re face,
stopping you from getting sunburnt. You can get sunburnt even on a dull day out on the sea.
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First aid kit
You should always carry a first aid kit and make sure you’re buddies know you have got one and where it is.
The biggest mishaps are cutting ourselves with a fillet knife, or getting a hook in our hands. More serious injuries can
occur so it is as well too carry the first aid kit at all times
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Flares
There are many different types of flares out on the market, what I use is the inshore flares as we will probably
never go out beyond 4 miles. |
Vhf radio
Again the vhf radio is a most essential piece of equipment for you’re safety and others. This is one of the best forms of
communication while out at sea as the coastguard will pick up the weakest of signals. You will be required too have a
license too use you’re vhf radio but I have never heard of anybody being prosecuted for calling a distress call on a vhf radio.
And always keep it on you and not in a box in the kayak. |
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Hand held gps
Hand held gps are a great tool too have ,apart from the safety side that you can give the coastguard you’re exact position if
you are in distress .(saving them time looking for you) you can use the gps too find wrecks and reefs or just return back
too a fishing area . |
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Compass
Always take a compass with you and know how too use it, |
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Phone in dry bag
Not the ideal form of communication but can be effective if you have nothing else |
Flash light
Always carry a flash light the led type are the best as they can be seen for miles and the batteries tend too last longer
than you’re standard flashlight, these can be bought water proof . |
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Dry bag with spare clothes
I always take a dry bag with some spare clothes out with me |
