Thoughts on Kayak Fishing and Safety


If you are uncomfortable you will be more liable to make mistakes which could easily lead to a dangerous situation developing    .
Protect yourself from Mother Nature:    .
It’s very important that you learn the proper way to get back in your kayak in the event of an unscheduled departure    .
Understanding wave hazards    .
Suitability of kayak for intended use    .
An anchor fastened to the side of your kayak is Dangerous with a capital D!!! When the kayak is side on to the tide it is very vulnerable and you may find yourself tipped out as it rolls    .
We have the luxury of being able to launch just about anywhere, and to paddle to places that power boaters only dream of going    .
A plastic chopping board costing 99 pence will serve many purposes including making a Velcro pad that will hold gloves, spools of line or packets of hooks that have had the opposite Velcro stuck on    .
To get a reasonably powerful one of 5 watts and one that is waterproof expect to pay at least £100    .
If this fails the second tie wrap will allow recovery of the whole rope    .
Stay well away from commercial vessels, and avoid crossing channels and thoroughfares, especially in restricted visibility    .
* Suitability of clothing to intended use    .
E-Bay is full of listings for kayaks that are totally unsuitable for UK saltwater fishing or at best only adequate for pottering just off a sandy beach in good weather    .
Any slip could leave you without a paddle so it is a good idea to have a means of securing it to the kayak    .
In sun, a hat can help prevent heatstroke    .
Clothing For Kayak Fishing    .
This segment can’t be stressed enough    .
kayak-fishing-safety    .
A torch will help rescuers to locate you    .
While you are out there drifting around with the jigger take note of which way you are going    .
Primarily I posed the question on some of the UK kayak Fishing Forums    .
When in contact with the man, Humber Coastguard discovered that, although the man was wearing a lifejacket, he was also wearing waders, meaning that he was having difficulty staying afloat and was ingesting mouthfuls of water    .
There are two kinds of safety    .
Have you noticed that every time you go out to fish that you see more and more fellow paddlers ? I’m sure you’ve also noticed that many of them don’t have a clue about kayak angling etiquette, accepted navigational rules, let alone common courtesy    .
Personal Flotation Device (PFD)    .
Always carry a VHF handheld radio in your PFD and know how to use it    .
Choosing Safety Gear    .
Understand Currents and Tide    .
The following information will provide you with the equipment and skills needed in the event that hazards are encountered    .
If conditions deteriorate, abort    .
With knowledge    .
Don’t be stupid    .
Motorized watercraft and kayaks – friend or foe?    .
Great for storing food – clothing – cameras – phones etc     .
Paddling is considered by many to be exercising    .