pfd vs flag - kayak question

[crankbait2009]

Last couple seasons, I have been out on my kayak, tight to shore, fishing.  And a couple times throughout the season I've had a motor boat zoom by me.  The lake is plenty wide enough to where I could have been where I was and the motor boat could have easily been on the other side/in the middle of the lake.  But for some reason they zoom by me at full speed.  They are close enough I could seriously throw a rock at them as they pass.  All I can do is sit there and wait for the wake to come, and go so I can continue.  Whether or not they saw me, I am not sure.  But as close as I am to shore, I'm not quite sure why they would have been that close anyways. (Also, this is in the middle of the day.  No where near night time)

 

So the more I think about it............ let's for a second, give the high speed boat the benefit of the doubt. So let's say they didn't see me. ( I still call BS)

That means I need to do something to make myself more noticeable.  I am debating two ideas. 

 

1. I need a new pfd that fits me properly. So I was eye balling the 2019 Chinook pfd in RED.  It's definitely eye popping.  It would definitely make me stand out. 2. I thought about buying a less obnoxious colored pfd (still 2019 Chinook, but in charcoal), and adding an orange yakattack flag on the rear of the kayak.  Now, the flag definitely has a lower profile, but would stand up higher than the seat.  I don't think it would be enough to warn boaters that I am there.  

 

I could easily do both, but I was hoping a pfd would kill two birds with one stone.

 

Anyone else wear bright colored pfd's for this reason?  Or do you buy the orange flags?

[Darren.]

4 minutes ago, crankbait2009 said:

Last couple seasons, I have been out on my kayak, tight to shore, fishing.  And a couple times throughout the season I've had a motor boat zoom by me.  The lake is plenty wide enough to where I could have been where I was and the motor boat could have easily been on the other side/in the middle of the lake.  But for some reason they zoom by me at full speed.  They are close enough I could seriously throw a rock at them as they pass.  All I can do is sit there and wait for the wake to come, and go so I can continue.  Whether or not they saw me, I am not sure.  But as close as I am to shore, I'm not quite sure why they would have been that close anyways. (Also, this is in the middle of the day.  No where near night time)

  

So the more I think about it............ let's for a second, give the high speed boat the benefit of the doubt. So let's say they didn't see me. ( I still call BS)

That means I need to do something to make myself more noticeable.  I am debating two ideas. 

  

1. I need a new pfd that fits me properly. So I was eye balling the 2019 Chinook pfd in RED.  It's definitely eye popping.  It would definitely make me stand out. 2. I thought about buying a less obnoxious colored pfd (still 2019 Chinook, but in charcoal), and adding an orange yakattack flag on the rear of the kayak.  Now, the flag definitely has a lower profile, but would stand up higher than the seat.  I don't think it would be enough to warn boaters that I am there.  

 

I could easily do both, but I was hoping a pfd would kill two birds with one stone.

 

Anyone else where bright colored pfd's for this reason?  Or do you buy the orange flags?

If I were in your position, I'd likely opt for both to maximize 

visibility.

 

My PFD is drab. I would have bought a bright orange one if BPS

had it in a color other than beige. Currently do not use a flag as

I mostly do not fish motor boat waters, but have been seriously

considering one for the possibility of night fishing for striper in

small inlets around my locale.

[Choporoz]

I use yellow Stearns PFD.  I ALWAYS fly a blaze orange Yakattack VisiCarbon flag/light.  And I use paddles with bright blades that I hold up if I'm worried some can't see me, or maybe is driving into the sunrise/sunset

[A-Jay]

Please do both -

 

It may also be advisable to expect every boater is trying to run you down and make it your responsibility to do everything you can do, to never offer them even a chance to do so. 

May mean changing how & where you're fishing now - but it might just save your life.

Risk is a tricky deal 

 

I know that sounds grim but would you jump from the plane

with a parachute that you know will not open 5 % of the time ?

 Me either. 

 

Unfortunately, experience has shown - that sometimes, it just doesn't matter what YOU DO - if the other human is not looking or distracted - bad things happen.

 

 

Thankfully these lucky soles were not killed.

A-Jay

[Harold Scoggins]

If you're worried about being seen, use both. I'm probably an accident waiting to happen as the kayak I use most often is camo and my PFD is close to being OD. I do fly an American flag off the back and if there are a lot of motors on the lake, I'll fly an orange flag. Did that guy in the motor boat see you, maybe, maybe not. I do think there are folks out there who think it's funny to buzz smaller craft. I got my justice once when a couple of guys in a "glitter" boat buzzed me close to shore and they knew I was there as they had trolled beside me a few minutes before and asked me if I was catching anything. I watched them go on down the lake, turn around and put the throttle down. When they buzzed by me they must have not known about the granite boulders just below the water line and in a flash their lower unit and transom was destroyed. They're lucky they didn't get killed. Oh well, I hope they had good boat insurance.

[Harold Scoggins]

27 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

I know that sounds grim but would you jump from the plane 

with a parachute that you know will not open 5 % of the time ?

Yeah, but the rush you get the other 95% of the time makes it worth it. (Standing left, Green Ramp, Ft. Bragg) That video was intense, thanks for sharing @A-Jay.

[Dens228]

I wear a bright PFD and a blaze orange baseball hat. 

[WildmanWilson]

It’s also a possibility he was being an ass and just wanting scare you. Some boaters are like that. I still wear bright colors like  blaze orange. We should do our best to be seen. 

[junyer357]

As someone who fishes mostly from a boat, and some from a kayak, error on the side of caution and do both. Heck it wont hurt to put a wrap of high vis tape on your paddle ends to have something else visible to wave. 

 

From being in a boat at apeed, its hard to tell at times til you get closer what direction a kayak is facing/going. Its also harder to pick them out against shore, since they sit so low in water, and are often dull colors too.  

 

Its no diffrent than driving a car at 60, you can be right upon something before you realize it. Especially in a boat, where traffic can come at any direction, as well as making sure you are staying in deep enough water and away from underwater obstacles. 

[TnRiver46]

In addition to the suggestions above, if he was close enough to throw a rock, maybe throw a cast with a floating topwater and mono across his path. It may or may not teach him a lesson about replacing seals and courteous boating. Just make sure it’s cheap line and  a cheap lure. 

[TimberTodd]

I fly an orange flag. My PFD is beige so I will wear a bright orange hoodie or tee shirt depending on the temp.

[Hawkeye21]

My kayak is orange and I have a Chinook PFD that is also orange.  I also have an orange flag with light that I usually only use when it's dark but will use on busy waters.  I like to make sure I'm seen.

[Jleebesaw]

Both would be good, but I think a red pfd would probably be enough. Like someone else said, when you are close to shore it's very easy to blend in with the background. Hell, I've been in a boat and been surprised at how close I got to a john boat boat before seeing it, no less something a quarter its size. I've never been in a kayak, but if I was using one in a lake used by boats, i would do everything i could to be seen.

[Smalls]

Always make yourself as visible as you can. You can make a flag cheaper than you can buy the YakAttack one.   

 

And personally, if they’re blasting past you close enough to throw a rock, then do it. I’m also they kinda guy that keeps a pocket full of ball bearings in my pocket while riding a motorcycle. 

[IgotWood]

Same here. I always sport the flag but it’s not enough. This year I am planning to put some orange keel eazy strips around my boat. I need them for fishing bridge pilings, but they will also make me a lot more visible. Cheaper than a flag or a new pfd. 

[crankbait2009]

I will say, I really do like those yak attack flags with the lights on them, but at that price?  Um no. Besides I'm never out at night, ever.  So I am definitely looking in to options of a DIY flag or at least a cheaper option that looks good.  But either way, I will be getting a flag and a pfd.  I need the pfd anyways.

[Choporoz]

@crankbait2009, first look, the price does seem high.  And it may be, if you never need the light.  But I am going on my fifth year with mine and it literally is like new.  I use it 40-50 times a year, i think.  Never even had to change the batteries yet, and i fish before dawn or after dark most days.    Alternatively, I bought a more generic flag and a Railblaza Starport for my wife's yak.  Far cheaper,  but I need to replace the flag after 3 seasons.  For those that might ever use the light, the Visipole is a very much worth the price,  IMO

[J Francho]

Mine has to be at least 10 years old.  I don't recall changing the batteries on mine, either. 

[TimberTodd]

I found a broken rod at the lake. I used the blank for the shaft and orange material for the flag. I built the base out of a 1' dowel. The only thing I needed to buy was a track bolt.

[crankbait2009]

I saw a video on youtube where someone did that same exact thing.  He ended up using material from an old pfd for the flag

[kenmitch]

Mini disco ball mounted to the top of your pole will increase the chances of being seen at least when it's sunny and the idiots overtake the lake. I doubt the small and angled mirrors would actually blind anybody. Seeing how yaks are pretty light and can somewhat bob and weave when a fish farts it would probably look strobe like from a distance.

 

 

[NHBull]

As a boater, I wish all kayakers had both.  The sooner I see them, the earlier I can avoid them.

 

I have seen guys fasten a small blinking led that also helps

[J Francho]

If you can't see my 14' bright orange kayak in time to react, then you can't see a regular bass boat and you're going too fast.

[NHBull]

100 feet of 2 foot chop can make you invisible.....the bass boat, not so much....you actually think you present the same siluete sitting in a kayak as does a person sitting in a bass boat, come on!