Super User buzzed bait Posted February 25, 2016 Super User Posted February 25, 2016 Kind of gives me an eerie feeling too... I posted in the reports about my morning on Lake Lanier on Sunday morning. I actually called it quits around noon primarily because of the wind. my wife was shocked that i came home so early, but i told her the wind was really wild on the channel i was in and making for some rogue waves and i was a little uncomfortable being out by myself. Fast forward to this article I read about another kayaker on Lanier on Monday that somehow managed to be rescued after the wind and waves capsized his kayak! Cliff notes for you if you don't care to read the article: wear the dam PFD and let someone know where you're going, it saved this guy's life! http://www.gainesvilletimes.com/m/section/6/article/115317/ 5 Quote
Super User WIGuide Posted February 25, 2016 Super User Posted February 25, 2016 Glad he survived and also glad you did too! It might be worth adding wearing something that's a bit more visible as well. Not will it only help in the even that something terrible happens, it also makes sure you're more visible to other boat traffic. Blending in when you're out in a kayak is not a good thing with other boats ripping around. 1 Quote
Super User buzzed bait Posted February 25, 2016 Author Super User Posted February 25, 2016 4 minutes ago, WIGuide said: Glad he survived and also glad you did too! It might be worth adding wearing something that's a bit more visible as well. Not will it only help in the even that something terrible happens, it also makes sure you're more visible to other boat traffic. Blending in when you're out in a kayak is not a good thing with other boats ripping around. this is what i was thinking while i was out there by myself on sunday. my kayak is like blackish grayish camo looking color and i had on some brown pants and a gray sweatshirt. i definitely wasn't very visible to boaters.... Quote
Super User WIGuide Posted February 25, 2016 Super User Posted February 25, 2016 21 minutes ago, buzzed bait said: this is what i was thinking while i was out there by myself on sunday. my kayak is like blackish grayish camo looking color and i had on some brown pants and a gray sweatshirt. i definitely wasn't very visible to boaters.... Yeah, it's kind of like driving a dark vehicle on a dreary gloomy day without the headlights on. Other drivers should be cautious enough to see you anyway, but let's face it....people can be idiots and I'd much rather do what I can to try and avoid any accident possible. Especially when boat vs kayak is pretty much like train vs bike. 1 Quote
FrogFreak Posted February 25, 2016 Posted February 25, 2016 Hmm, I always wear a red hat but now I'm thinking about one of those orange flags like you see on bikes since my kayak is camo'ed up for duck hunting. 2 Quote
Super User A-Jay Posted February 25, 2016 Super User Posted February 25, 2016 Good Call. A-Jay 1 Quote
Super User Oregon Native Posted February 26, 2016 Super User Posted February 26, 2016 20 hours ago, WIGuide said: Yeah, it's kind of like driving a dark vehicle on a dreary gloomy day without the headlights on. Other drivers should be cautious enough to see you anyway, but let's face it....people can be idiots and I'd much rather do what I can to try and avoid any accident possible. Especially when boat vs kayak is pretty much like train vs bike. Yup...kayaks can be hard to see....many are colored for stealth mode...especially in wind, waves, and low light. Kind of like a bike with out lights. One must be very careful out there on both sides. 1 Quote
Super User Sam Posted February 26, 2016 Super User Posted February 26, 2016 Buzzed, even in a bass boat you can be thrown out by other boat's wakes. You are fishing in skinny water and that wake comes rolling in behind you and WHAM! You are holding onto your boat's pedestal seat for balance. Glad you got out when you did. I remember reading an article about two guys who drowned last week when they were thrown out of their boat and were not wearing their PFD. You made a strong statement. Thanks for reminding everyone as we get ready for this year's fishing season. 2 Quote
Super User lmbfisherman Posted February 26, 2016 Super User Posted February 26, 2016 Definitely great tips. Also no fish is that important. 1 Quote
tander Posted February 26, 2016 Posted February 26, 2016 16 hours ago, FrogFreak said: Hmm, I always wear a red hat but now I'm thinking about one of those orange flags like you see on bikes since my kayak is camo'ed up for duck hunting. Great idea, I believe the flag would really help people see you. 1 Quote
bassguytom Posted February 26, 2016 Posted February 26, 2016 Glad he is okay. PDF is a must on a kayak they are so comfortable now there is no excuse. I attach one of these to my kayaks also. I use an orange bike flag on a stick. An orange flag is a lot easier to see from a distance to a running boat then the yak itself. Stay safe. http://www.kayakshed.com/product/hobie-safety-flag-mount/?gclid=CLnBhdLYlcsCFUIfhgodYxcC7g 3 Quote
bassinhole Posted February 26, 2016 Posted February 26, 2016 The Yak Attack Visipole is a little spendy, but well worth it when you consider what not having it could cost you! It has a flag as well as a light, and fastens into most rod holders. http://www.yakattack.us/V2FM_FPG_p/v2fm-fpg.htm 3 Quote
blckshirt98 Posted February 26, 2016 Posted February 26, 2016 " A wave struck the 70-year-old kayaker and the boat capsized. " 70 years old and kayaking solo!? Either he's very fit or crazy! 1 Quote
bassinhole Posted February 26, 2016 Posted February 26, 2016 9 minutes ago, blckshirt98 said: " A wave struck the 70-year-old kayaker and the boat capsized. " 70 years old and kayaking solo!? Either he's very fit or crazy! Or maybe a bit of both. My grampa guided on Lake O until he was in his late 80's. When his clients would ask how old he was he would always just respond over 60... When you've got the bug it's a lifelong addiction... 2 Quote
Super User buzzed bait Posted February 26, 2016 Author Super User Posted February 26, 2016 1 hour ago, blckshirt98 said: " A wave struck the 70-year-old kayaker and the boat capsized. " 70 years old and kayaking solo!? Either he's very fit or crazy! 55 minutes ago, bassinhole said: Or maybe a bit of both. My grampa guided on Lake O until he was in his late 80's. When his clients would ask how old he was he would always just respond over 60... When you've got the bug it's a lifelong addiction... i've seen some crazy old guys out on the rivers (chattahoochee, catawba and little tennessee)!! one ultra crazy old guy on the catawba south of the lake norman dam around the cowans ford area. dude had to be like pushing 80 in a canoe with a little white poodle dog and i think he may have still been tripping from the 60's..... he talked to me and my buddy for quite some time and then had this crazy moment near sun down talking about "the golden hour". was much like the "double rainbow" guy in terms of how he was acting about it. craziest old hippy i've ever met on the river no doubt. he was wayyyyyyyy out there, but he was also as fit as most any young guy you'd see.... my fishing buddy and i still get a good kick out of that and i'm sitting here laughing to myself just thinking of the old guy. as for the guy in this article though, they said he was retired from both police department and sheriff's office. so he's likely not in terrible shape and obviously a little bit crazy, I imagine something along the lines of @Bluebasser86 Quote
Super User Goose52 Posted February 26, 2016 Super User Posted February 26, 2016 Sure - a PFD is mandatory. BUT, in addition to thinking about whether you are wearing the right colors for visibility...has everyone that goes on the water this time of year been thinking about wearing the right cold-weather gear for survival in the event you end up in the water? What was the combined air + water temp? If that number is below 120, you should be giving careful consideration of the type of gear you're wearing and have with you...including a change of clothes in a dry bag. In my lakes I used to see a guy that fished all through the winter. Air temps near freezing, water temp around 40. He would stand in the front of a 12' jon boat wearing a heavy coat and no PFD. I don't see him any more. Hopefully he got smart and quit fishing and didn't take a plunge one winter... 1 Quote
Super User buzzed bait Posted February 26, 2016 Author Super User Posted February 26, 2016 Good thoughts on the right clothing there A Jay and Goose. I never give that any thought, honestly. Think I'll at least put some dry clothes in my dry bag in the hatch and just keep them there. Quote
bassinhole Posted February 28, 2016 Posted February 28, 2016 On 2/26/2016 at 5:51 PM, buzzed bait said: Good thoughts on the right clothing there A Jay and Goose. I never give that any thought, honestly. Think I'll at least put some dry clothes in my dry bag in the hatch and just keep them there. don't forget a pair of heavy socks, and some footwear as well. You can get away with some neoprene booties like scuba divers wear that fold flat. I keep an emergency set of cloths in my boat sealed in a vacuum bag. Takes up very little room, and can save your life. Cold can be a risk even in Florida. 1 Quote
paangler13 Posted February 28, 2016 Posted February 28, 2016 A friend of mine took the plunge two years ago. We were wading the Raystown Branch fishing for walleye, and he took a tumble! about a 20 minute walk from the vehicle. Water was lower 40's air temps in the upper 30's. till we got back at the truck, he was showing early signs of hypothermia. (starting to get tired, and shivering uncontrollably). We got him in dry clothes and warmed backup, but it was a sobering thought. remember even at 60 degrees you have about 10 to 15 minutes. I used to wear my pfd once in a while, mostly when i was alone. Since I had kids, i wear it all the time when moving, and even while fishing when the water is under 70. I can't stand the thought of my wife and kids waiting for them to recover my body. stay safe everyone. Like the sticker I had as a child said, "don't drown, it will spoil your day." Jim 1 Quote
Global Moderator Bluebasser86 Posted February 28, 2016 Global Moderator Posted February 28, 2016 On 2/26/2016 at 0:50 PM, buzzed bait said: as for the guy in this article though, they said he was retired from both police department and sheriff's office. so he's likely not in terrible shape and obviously a little bit crazy, I imagine something along the lines of @Bluebasser86 I'd say that's a fairly accurate description. 2 Quote
deadadrift89 Posted February 29, 2016 Posted February 29, 2016 Can't stress enough also how important having a light or at least glow sticks at dusk or after is. Running mid lake last Summer I just happen to see 2 yaks in the moonlight in the channel. VERY BAD and disturbing situation.... 1 Quote
FrogFreak Posted March 1, 2016 Posted March 1, 2016 I went out with a friend, his first time on a discount SOT yak he got at a big box store. Well, he decided he wanted to sit on a flotation type deal that put him even higher up in the already tippy yak even though I told him it was a bad idea. I was fishing away and heard a large splash and he was in the drink. It was a pretty warm day but by the time I got over to the dock, he was shivering uncontrollably. I tried to convince him to change into the extra set of clothes I always have in my truck but he wouldn't. I finally made him get in the truck and cranked the heat up (he kept insisting on helping me load the yaks first). This guy knew better, he was a medic in the military but he was too proud or stubborn to change out of his wet clothes. It can happen and does happen. Be careful out there folks! 1 Quote
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