Kayak essentials

[RB 77]

Even though it has been mentioned several times, it bears repeating, a PFD. Also,  a waterproof case for your phone. This is super crucial. Don't ask me I how I know...

 

Presentations are primarily the same. A drift sock or anchor can come in handy for slower stuff like wormin' and jigin'...

On 11/28/2016 at 6:25 PM, MassYak85 said:

My favorite part is how shallow you can get. Nothing is off limits. 

 

This is a huge difference and advantage over a boat or even a float tube for that matter. A kayak allows you to fish waters and position yourself in places where no other angler who is not in a kayak can go.

[Hawkeye21]

5 hours ago, afrayed knot said:

Portable urinal . Come on I can't be the only one that needs to answer natures call way to frequently

That's a really good point.  I don't have one on my kayak but we always have one on the boat when I go with friends.  We use a large bottle that has a handle and just cut a hole in the top side.  Works great because it's not as obvious compared to peeing off the side of a boat like many do.

[Choporoz]

My portable urinal is empty coffee cup or water/gatorade bottle.  I will say that 'the call' is often a reminder to get out and stand once in a while, also.  I've gone five hours at a stretch without standing, but I always regret it.

[SemperFishing]

Someone needs to fess up to it, so here I go.

 

I've flipped a full kayak.  In 40 degree water on a 70 degree day.  Your PFD is the most important piece of equipment you can own.  I wasn't worried about drowning, hypothermia and a heart attack had me scared.  Being a floating corpse.  I flipped in trying to adjust my Native Slayer's great seat to the lower position.  It happened quickly.  In 9 feet of water on a windy day. The yak stayed upside down and there was no getting back in it, I tried.  Instead I side stroked to shore, thankfully only twenty yards away.  However, I had just dropped anchor.  So I'm dragging yak......and anchor to shore.  I got it all there, composed myself, and flipped it back over.  I was wearing layers, chest waders, windbreaker.  

 

I lost five rods. All G Loomis and Shimano reels.  I was able to retrieve one days later by dragging the bottom.  Total loss was approximately $2K.  My Lowrance survived great, my yakattack crate was strapped in and CLOSED, my phone (in a dry box) was safe, as was the rest of my tackle in plano boxes.  Scared a year off my life.

 

I relay this because it can happen to you. Will one day.  WEAR YOUR PFD ALWAYS.  Strap in everything, leash everything, containerize everything. When you use something or change baits close the container and secure it before you cast.  Have a dry bag with dry clothes, matches, etc.  Wear bright colors, have a flag if you kayak wear powerboats or speeding traffic share the water with you.  Water proof flashlights.  Think flip and plan flip.  You may be the most careful person but mother nature or a power boater have it out for you. 

 

I love yak fishing.  But I learned a hard lesson.  It will happen. Be prepared!!!

[MassYak85]

@SemperFishing All great advice. I make it a point once the water drops into the lower 50's to always have my outriggers attached just to eliminate the risk of a tip. Doesn't mean I can't get dangerously wet but I won't be swimming. As for my gear, thankfully I've never tipped but I have made bungee leashes for most of my rods and tackle. Each rod can be bungee strapped into it's holder and all my boxes are in a milk crate with a bungee going across the top to hold them in, plus the crate itself is bungeed in. Stuff that I keep in the cockpit like pliers, scale, etc. would be lost but compared to the rest of my stuff it wouldn't be a huge deal. 

 

 

 

*not sure why it won't let me delete the second picture

[bigfruits]

13 hours ago, afrayed knot said:

Portable urinal . Come on I can't be the only one that needs to answer natures call way to frequently

 

if you have a sit on top it should not be hard to lean the boat and go off the side. the end is a little tricky, i use my reeling hand as a splash guard and quickly dunk it in the water (upriver from bubbles!) before the 5 sec rule.

 

1. rudder, anchor trolley, sonar, soft cooler, pfd, rod holders on tracks, milk crate with vertical rod holders, paddle (plastic blades,carbon shaft), paddle holder and the most important besides a paddle: a comfortable seat (w/frame)

2. jigs! like mentioned above, you cant do downward twitching on a kayak when sitting. i rarely do jerkbaits but walking topwaters is doable. when i get out on my friends bass boats, i tend to throw alot of frogs and poppers a little longer than i should when theyre not working for me.

[Landis Carrier]

9 hours ago, SemperFishing said:

Someone needs to fess up to it, so here I go.

 

I've flipped a full kayak.  In 40 degree water on a 70 degree day.  Your PFD is the most important piece of equipment you can own.  I wasn't worried about drowning, hypothermia and a heart attack had me scared.  Being a floating corpse.  I flipped in trying to adjust my Native Slayer's great seat to the lower position.  It happened quickly.  In 9 feet of water on a windy day. The yak stayed upside down and there was no getting back in it, I tried.  Instead I side stroked to shore, thankfully only twenty yards away.  However, I had just dropped anchor.  So I'm dragging yak......and anchor to shore.  I got it all there, composed myself, and flipped it back over.  I was wearing layers, chest waders, windbreaker.  

 

I lost five rods. All G Loomis and Shimano reels.  I was able to retrieve one days later by dragging the bottom.  Total loss was approximately $2K.  My Lowrance survived great, my yakattack crate was strapped in and CLOSED, my phone (in a dry box) was safe, as was the rest of my tackle in plano boxes.  Scared a year off my life.

 

I relay this because it can happen to you. Will one day.  WEAR YOUR PFD ALWAYS.  Strap in everything, leash everything, containerize everything. When you use something or change baits close the container and secure it before you cast.  Have a dry bag with dry clothes, matches, etc.  Wear bright colors, have a flag if you kayak wear powerboats or speeding traffic share the water with you.  Water proof flashlights.  Think flip and plan flip.  You may be the most careful person but mother nature or a power boater have it out for you. 

 

I love yak fishing.  But I learned a hard lesson.  It will happen. Be prepared!!!

Yup. It can happen! I flipped on the Delaware River last year. Lost 4 rods and lots of odds and ends and my iPhone. My crate stayed intact! I was in about 17ft of water in moving current....I was thankful I had my PFD on. Like you mentioned it happens soooooo fast! Wear your PFD! 

[Hawkeye21]

I like to go trout fishing a decent amount so I use a tackle backpack.  This is what I bring on my kayak as well.  Since the trout streams I fish are not usually used a lot and are fairly remote I make sure I have enough gear with me if something happens.  I like knowing I have some survival gear regardless if I'm in the woods or on a lake in my kayak.

 

I like to have a larger survival knife and pocket knife.  Multi-tool.  Zip lock bag with some toilet paper, matches and anything else I want dry.  Bottle of water and snacks.  Whistle.  I even have a folding saw just in case.  Dry bag for extra clothes and my phone.

 

Since I go into some remote areas occasionally I don't always have cell service.  I make sure I tell my wife exactly where I'm at in case something happens to me.  I also will take screen shots of a topography map of the area I'm in on my phone so I can have some sense of where I'm at if lost.  I've actually had to use this before and it helped a lot.

[fluna]

I take water bottles, snacks, freezer bag for ny wallet and phone, pfd, paddle. Reading this made realize what else I should be bringing along! I throw poppers, buzzbaits, spinnerbaits, wacky rig and texas rigged worms and jointed minnows. Basically same stuff I use when I rent a boat in Northern MI. Have tried throwing my frog, I have a hard time walking it from the yak.

[RB 77]

On 1/27/2017 at 8:03 AM, SemperFishing said:

Someone needs to fess up to it, so here I go.

 

I've flipped a full kayak.  In 40 degree water on a 70 degree day.  Your PFD is the most important piece of equipment you can own.  I wasn't worried about drowning, hypothermia and a heart attack had me scared.  Being a floating corpse.  I flipped in trying to adjust my Native Slayer's great seat to the lower position.  It happened quickly.  In 9 feet of water on a windy day. The yak stayed upside down and there was no getting back in it, I tried.  Instead I side stroked to shore, thankfully only twenty yards away.  However, I had just dropped anchor.  So I'm dragging yak......and anchor to shore.  I got it all there, composed myself, and flipped it back over.  I was wearing layers, chest waders, windbreaker.  

 

I lost five rods. All G Loomis and Shimano reels.  I was able to retrieve one days later by dragging the bottom.  Total loss was approximately $2K.  My Lowrance survived great, my yakattack crate was strapped in and CLOSED, my phone (in a dry box) was safe, as was the rest of my tackle in plano boxes.  Scared a year off my life.

 

I relay this because it can happen to you. Will one day.  WEAR YOUR PFD ALWAYS.  Strap in everything, leash everything, containerize everything. When you use something or change baits close the container and secure it before you cast.  Have a dry bag with dry clothes, matches, etc.  Wear bright colors, have a flag if you kayak wear powerboats or speeding traffic share the water with you.  Water proof flashlights.  Think flip and plan flip.  You may be the most careful person but mother nature or a power boater have it out for you. 

 

I love yak fishing.  But I learned a hard lesson.  It will happen. Be prepared!!!

 

Yeah, it can and does happen. I have donated my fair share of gear over the years. Be prepared people and stay safe.

One other thing worth mentioning is that along with the rod holders I run in my crate I created a separate holder that I can slide a homemade dune buggy whip that I fly Old Glory from. I get to show my pride in my country and keep myself a little safer while out on the water. With all kinds of vessels flying around on plane all over the lakes and bays I feel this one extra precaution can be  a huge help in letting a vessel spot you from a distance.

[mixel]

On 1/27/2017 at 8:03 AM, SemperFishing said:

Someone needs to fess up to it, so here I go.

 

I relay this because it can happen to you. Will one day.  WEAR YOUR PFD ALWAYS.  Strap in everything, leash everything, containerize everything. When you use something or change baits close the container and secure it before you cast.  Have a dry bag with dry clothes, matches, etc.  Wear bright colors, have a flag if you kayak wear powerboats or speeding traffic share the water with you.  Water proof flashlights.  Think flip and plan flip.  You may be the most careful person but mother nature or a power boater have it out for you. 

 

I love yak fishing.  But I learned a hard lesson.  It will happen. Be prepared!!!

 

 

I've nearly flipped in the ocean but am very comfortable swimming in big wave 10'+ conditions and strong rip currents. The real problem however is as you mentioned, the cold water which can shut a body down fast, especially if you are already fatigued from being out for a while. My personal best in 52d water is swimming for about 1 hour, constantly moving. Then my body and mind start to shut down. Not bragging but trying to make the point that it's extremely important to know your limitations. If you're fishing 40-50d water, you better know you're able to swim to shore on your own, in your clothes if you can't get them off after submersion. 

 

It's important to practice in calm water purposely flipping your kayak so you can experience what happens. We do this in the shallows of Morro Harbor and practice flipping the kayak back to upright position without standing, and practice climbing back onto the kayak, because there are certainly good and bad ways to try and climb back on. Take the time to practice.

 

Of course it goes without saying to wear a life vest too.

 

Also, if you are in moving water such a river, you should consider tethering your oar to your kayak. If you flip, hold onto the oar and your kayak won't float away from you. There are arguments against tethering and I don't personally use one but I consider myself a strong swimmer and I haven't tried fishing in streams yet. Read more here for ideas.

 

Also, as Semper's story so painfully can attest, you should make every effort to tether or tie down all things you aren't currently using. You should be able to flip your kayak and lose minimal gear. Go the extra mile and be prepared for the worst situation. It will give you more confidence and assurance for when (not if) something goes wrong.

[NorthwestBasser]

I can stand up in my kayak and I've done it to urinate, but there no chance I would survive a hook set without ending up in the water! I stay seated. I can't seem to flip or pitch while sitting so I stick to my frogs, cranks and jerks, jigs and swimbaits, t-rigs and finesse. Drop shot always comes through for me when all else fails. I always have my phone with me, with location turned on. Trail mix and some beverages, sometimes of the adult variety, the paddle leash is a must. I have an anchor but usually leave it behind because when I need it the most (windy) it does the most damage. Nearly swamped myself once by putting it down on the wrong side of the yak and a rogue wave passed by, instead of floating up and over it the anchor did it's job and kept me pinned down, needless to say I was soaked. Three rods, one spinning two baitcasters. The humminbird fishin buddy is a good choice for electronics. Self contained batteries, clamps on to the hull, depth and temps, even the occasional fish bleep on the screen! Next I'm adding a thirty lbs thrust Minn kota!

[SuckAtPhishing]

On 11/28/2016 at 11:17 AM, Yeajray231 said:

I couldn't find what I was looking for in the list.. two things. 

1) what are the things you always bring and rely on when using your kayak. 

2) your favorite presentations for kayak fishing. My kayak you are not able to stand. So some techniques are a little more difficult. if your kayak is similar then I would love to hear your (seasonal) go-to baits. 

1) A really nice pair of water shoes, a nice pair of polarized sunglasses, and a pelican waterproof case for keys and cell phone. 

2)Go to bait that has always helped when the fishing is hard is a weightless senko. 

[jr231]

18 minutes ago, SuckAtPhishing said:

1) A really nice pair of water shoes, a nice pair of polarized sunglasses, and a pelican waterproof case for keys and cell phone. 

2)Go to bait that has always helped when the fishing is hard is a weightless senko. 

 

I feel the same.. I have enough senkos to last a lifetime.. probably for both of us. Lol. Especially considering the o-rings and mend it. 

[SuckAtPhishing]

13 minutes ago, Yeajray231 said:

 

I feel the same.. I have enough senkos to last a lifetime.. probably for both of us. Lol. Especially considering the o-rings and mend it. 

no doubt man I have a ton as well every color lol and bags and bags of them.

[the reel ess]

On 1/27/2017 at 11:03 AM, SemperFishing said:

Someone needs to fess up to it, so here I go.

 

I've flipped a full kayak.  In 40 degree water on a 70 degree day.  Your PFD is the most important piece of equipment you can own.  I wasn't worried about drowning, hypothermia and a heart attack had me scared.  Being a floating corpse.  I flipped in trying to adjust my Native Slayer's great seat to the lower position.  It happened quickly.  In 9 feet of water on a windy day. The yak stayed upside down and there was no getting back in it, I tried.  Instead I side stroked to shore, thankfully only twenty yards away.  However, I had just dropped anchor.  So I'm dragging yak......and anchor to shore.  I got it all there, composed myself, and flipped it back over.  I was wearing layers, chest waders, windbreaker.  

 

I lost five rods. All G Loomis and Shimano reels.  I was able to retrieve one days later by dragging the bottom.  Total loss was approximately $2K.  My Lowrance survived great, my yakattack crate was strapped in and CLOSED, my phone (in a dry box) was safe, as was the rest of my tackle in plano boxes.  Scared a year off my life.

 

I relay this because it can happen to you. Will one day.  WEAR YOUR PFD ALWAYS.  Strap in everything, leash everything, containerize everything. When you use something or change baits close the container and secure it before you cast.  Have a dry bag with dry clothes, matches, etc.  Wear bright colors, have a flag if you kayak wear powerboats or speeding traffic share the water with you.  Water proof flashlights.  Think flip and plan flip.  You may be the most careful person but mother nature or a power boater have it out for you. 

 

I love yak fishing.  But I learned a hard lesson.  It will happen. Be prepared!!!

I fell out once in 60 degree water, but the kayak didn't flip. I set the hook on a fish that wasn't there and couldn't regain my balance. I guess I went with the flow and bailed out. But when I did, I got braid around my ankle about 7 times. I also had to hold the yak and side stroke it to shore. I was in a pond with a very semisolid bottom composition. My daughter thought it was very scary at first then very funny. This is the only time it's ever happened.