Ocean fishing carries an inherent risk, which is why kayak fishing safety is so important. The Coast Guard and several other organizations provide thorough boating safety tips and guidelines, but kayak fishing carries its own unique risks that are rarely, if ever, addressed by marine authorities, and the general boating safety guidelines do not always apply to kayak fisherman. But don’t fret because I’ve sifted through all the content and pulled from my own experience.
Here is a thoroughly vetted list of the top 10 kayak fishing safety rules for kayak fishermen to follow before hitting the sea.
- Have a floatplan. As a wise man once said: “Hope for the best, but plan for the worst.” A floatplan for a kayak fisherman doesn’t need to be as formal as a boat captain’s floatplan. Simply texting your roommate or significant other the following key information is sufficient: where you parked, where you launched from, the color of your kayak, who you’re with, and when you plan to return. Having somebody on land with those details is enough to raise a red flag with rescue teams in case you don’t return.
- Study the forecasts. The best tool in your toolbelt for avoiding danger is to avoid dangerous conditions. I know that sounds unintelligent and redundant. But the reality is that everyone is strapped for time, and windows of time for recreation often seem to be ever shrinking, trapped in an hour glass disappearing all too quickly. It’s in these very moments when we rush and cut corners. For some reason, safety prep always seems to be the first to be overlooked. Just because the conditions are perfect now, doesn’t mean conditions are going to stay that way. Study the swell, tide, weather, and wind forecasts before hitting the ocean. Always follow the old lifeguard adage, “when in doubt, don’t go out.”
- Get and stay hydrated. Hopefully, the sun is shining bright and the trades are slacked for your kayak fishing expedition. You woke up early and made the coffee extra strong. You packed a cold one to celebrate the much-anticipated big catch you know you’re going to score. Fishing kayaks are usually man powered, though there are fancy exceptions, which means you need to be thinking more like an athlete and less like a bougie yacht captain. Hydrate yourself before you hit the ocean and pack plenty of drinking water, double the amount you think you’ll need.
- Paddle shape and swimming shape. Kayak fishing requires a certain level of physical fitness. Keeping safety in mind, it is best not to put a blind faith in your kayak. Seams break, drain plugs go missing, the unexpected happens. Having the physical ability to both paddle and swim is a common sense safety measure that should not be brushed aside. Every experienced ocean kayak angler has at least a couple stories where they were left to their own physical devices for survival.
- Stowe floatation. As this is one of the Coast Guard’s boating policies, it just makes good sense for kayakers, too. Some kayaks will come with stowable floatation, but it’s usually not USCG approved and shouldn’t be relied on.
- Wear floatation. Promoting life jacket safety is always a hallmark campaign for water safety teams. It is your best line of defense to drowning in the event you become separated from your vessel. Luckily, there are companies making versatile floatation vests for kayak fisherman that are functional and can hold and store gear. They look super badass, as well.
- Stowe the stock paddle and invest in an aftermarket paddle. The stock paddles that come with a new kayak purchase are often cheap. As long as they can be disassembled, they’re perfect backup paddles to stowe inside your kayak. However, these stock paddles are not built to last. As a matter of safety, invest in an aftermarket paddle that will be able to withstand your herculean strokes day after day.
- Stowe a First Aid Kit. When you’re fishing from a kayak, you’re more confined than on a boat. You have all the same dangerous elements, like knives and hooks and scaly fish, except that you have nowhere to run. A basic first aid kit can help keep you on the water through minor setbacks.
- A mirror or distress light. The less complicated the technology, the more reliable it is in your time of distress. That’s why I recommend carrying both a battery-powered distress light and an old-fashioned mirror. Old-faithful flares are also a good distress tool to consider. In the absolute worst-case scenario that you’re stranded out at sea, spotting your relatively small fishing kayak from a rescue helicopter is like finding a needle in a haystack, or a strand of hair in a lake. The more tools you have available, the more likely it is that you’ll be found in a timely manner.
- A whistle or horn. One of the greatest allures to kayak fishing is the adventure into the great unknown and the overwhelming solitude that it offers. Screaming for help while out at sea is like screaming to a villager from atop a mountain. Nobody can hear you. An adequate sound-creating device is another Coast Guard boating essential, and it’s an easy no-brainer safety tool for your fishing kayak, as well.
Those are 10 essential kayak fishing safety rules to live by. Follow these guidelines closely, and you’ll be sure to maximize the fun and minimize the danger of this amazing sport.