Negotiating the surf can be
difficult but fun.

As the weather warms up, more and more people are inclined to try out the sport of kayak fishing. As you read this article more folks are buying kayaks and our numbers are growing. Kayak fishing can be a risky sport, but with the proper equipment and instruction you can insure your safety in just about any situation. So I have listed a few basic safety tips to help make your kayak fishing trip safe and enjoyable.

1. Wear your PFD! I cannot say it enough, wearing you PFD increases you chances of survival by a phenomenal rate. If you are a budget minded kayak angler, this is the one place that you do not want to get cheap. There are several good, paddle specific PFD's out there that are under $100. A good rule is that if you a 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. There is a generic float plan at the end of this article.

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. I suggest you practice this in a controlled environment and under supervision. A good idea is to take a basic paddling skills class under an ACA certified instructor. This class may also review ways to rescue your buddies if they fall off. Doing these rescues successfully will increase your confidence and make fishing more enjoyable.

4. Carry some sort of communication. I carry my cell phone in a water proof box, as well as a submersible marine VHF radio. Make sure to put you preferred radio frequency (we use channels 68, 69 and 74) and cell phone number on your float plan. Commercially available FRS radios in clear dry bags are also if you cannot afford the marine radios.

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. In warm weather I wear long sleeve shirts and pants; the new technical shirts and pants are very comfortable, and some can even offer up to 30 SPF of sun protection. I supplement the clothing with a wide brimmed hat, and sunscreen on any exposed skin. No matter what time of year, if the sun is shining I also wear sunscreen on my face, ears and hands. The other option is wear a bathing suit and to bath in sunscreen. This will eventually wash off and can be hard to apply while on the kayak. During the winter I always wear waterproof clothes, whether it is a rain coat and waders, or a dry suit. The key is to prevent exposure to the cold water, as well as the cold air. If you do go in the water, the outerwear should give you a few precious seconds to get back on your kayak before you get too cold to function.

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. I always carry two 32-oz nalgene water bottles when I fish.

7. Carry proper safety equipment. At the minimum you should have a whistle, flashlight, knife, and a signal mirror. A good idea is to invest in a small boat signal kit. It usually contains, flares, dye marker, mirror, and a whistle. Orion has one for about $50. Carry a good first aid kit; there are several waterproof first aid kits available. If possible get certified in CPR and first aid. 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. Try to avoid the green and red lights. These are meant for motorized vessels and other vessels will treat you as such. Strobes, either red or white should only be used to indicate distress.

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. Debarb or smash the barbs on you hooks, this will make unhooking fish easier. It is also easier to release your fishing buddy or yourself if you get hooked. Nothing is worse than a trip cut short with an emergency room visit for hook removal. If you prefer to use barbed hooks, 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. Keep a cool head, panic is a deadly killer.