SAFETY FIRST BY HELEN AITKEN
Kayak Fishing Safety SUNSET PHOTO BY DEBONILA SEN; RIGHT PHOTO BY MOTOPHOTO ADVENTURES
What to consider for your next fishing trip.
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ayak fishing can be a great choice for anglers when a big boat isn’t feasible. Kayaks are less expensive, easily transported and perfect for solo or buddy fishing. They can also be outfitted with a trolling motor. However, kayaking can also be strenuous. Before setting out on a kayak fishing expedition, learn how to paddle, to upright the kayak, to get back in after falling out and how to aid another kayaker. Taking a class and kayaking with others are smart choices. For a great day on the water, here are some additional kayak fishing tips to make it safe and enjoyable. Before going out Your kayak hull should be in good condition. Wear a Coast Guard-approved kayak life jacket and a loud whistle (a Great Lakes requirement) during daylight use. For sundown to sunup treks, add a headlamp and three red flares or the Orion Locator Electronic SOS Beacon. Check the weather often and prepare to come back early. Get weather information from your cell phone, VHS radio, or you can text a Great Lakes buoy. Create a float plan including the color of your kayak, time leaving and returning, fishing location, buddy’s name and vehicle information. Give it to a responsible person or marina manager. Don’t forget to dress for potential immersion. Layer non-cotton fabrics under a wetsuit or dry pants and tops for added insulation. Wear bright outerwear since kayaks are harder for large boats to see, especially in fog, at dusk and before sunrise. Pack smart (and safe!) Your life jacket should fit well for paddling and be designed for comfort against high-backed seats. The best ones have rod holder tabs, D-rings, loops, reflective strips and pockets for holding light tackle, a VHF radio or cell phone. Bring food and water, rain gear, a spray skirt, hat, sunscreen, insect repellant, a first aid kit and metal cutters for cutting lures in case one impales you. Don’t forget a throw bag, tow ropes (required in Canada — don’t forget a passport) and fishing gear. It’s easy to get tangled up in anchor lines, fishing lines and line debris, so keep a blunt-tip knife handy and avoid wearing anything around your neck. Forget the alcohol! It is illegal in all paddle craft, in all states, and subject to BUI laws.
On the water Headwinds and currents can relocate your kayak. Consider a mobile anchor system to keep you in place while creating stability for casting. However, make sure you don’t overload the kayak — arrange cargo to leave some freeboard space. Accidents happen and kayaks turn over. Sunscreen, sweat and even arthritis can affect your hold on a paddle or fishing rod. Secure them with a leash, with float bag essentials tethered or tied down with bungee cords. Identify dangerous areas and expect rocks or debris under and out of the water. Polarized sunglasses may help you spot submerged items. If you find yourself moving toward submerged items, lean forward, not away, and paddle in the opposite direction to prevent the kayak from flipping. Casting There’s not much space in a kayak, especially when casting or trying to pull in “the big one.” The casting action and pulling in a fish feels different while sitting in a kayak. Balance is important. Work out a system of when and where you cast since the person in the bow has a broader casting area and no one wants to be hit in the head with the rod tip or a hook. Extra fishing tips Keep tools out of the way but in reach. Pikes and muskies thrash about coming out of the water. Watch the lure and the fish’s teeth, then grab it behind the eyes or the gill plates to bring in the fish. It may sound simple but with catch and release, you can tire the fish enough to handle it without weakening it. Don’t forget Remember, you still need a license to fish and you must have the required Coast Guard safety equipment onboard. America’s Boating Club, the U.S. Power Squadrons, and Coast Guard Auxiliary will perform a free vessel safety check on your kayak and explain Coast Guard requirements and recommendations. Videos are available at AMERICASBOATINGCHANNEL. COM/VIDEO/SAFETY-TIPS-FOR-PADDLE-SPORTS45. ★
HELEN AITKEN is a boating writer, photographer and science educator from eastern North Carolina. She loves classic wooden boats, is a U.S. Power Squadrons member and plays in the Intracoastal Waterway. Visit her website at AITKENHELEN.COM.
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