Kayak Fishing & Safety
By Mike Zilkowsky
Scotty Pro-Staff Kayak Angler
As a Safety Professional in Alberta’s oil
field I am constantly mentoring fellow workers on the need for safety equipment
and using it correctly. My job is to ensure that everyone works safely so that
they can get home to see their families and participate in the hobbies they
love, which for me is fishing!!!! Here is a list of what I believe we should
all have and carry with us out fishing to ensure we make it back home from our
fishing adventures.
P.F.D.
Every year we hear of people that have lost
their lives due to not wearing a P.F.D. With P.F.D.s designed for kayak fishing
addressing comfort and versatility, there is no longer a reason to not wear
one. The first thing to do is to try it on and be comfortable wearing it prior
to being on the water. Try different types, different makes and different
styles until you find the one that fits you best. Just be sure it has the
proper rating and approvals for its intended use.
Lights
Even
though kayaks are not required to run the red, green and white lights, we
should still take the time to think about our visibility in low light
conditions. Many of us paddle around bright orange or yellow kayaks, but many
of us also paddle the darker green, brown or camouflage models as well. Scotty
Fishing & Outdoor Products has developed the SEA-light and it is perfect
for kayaks. Whether you purchase the 825 SEA-light with the suction cup base or
the 828 SEA-light with the 42” adjustable pole, with a 2 mile visibility you
will not regret your purchase.
I bought myself the 823 SEA-light last year
with a 20” pole and love it. I have been on very large lakes with tons of motor
boat traffic and paddling in at dark would have been a lot more dangerous if the
other boats were not able to see me.
Knife
Preferably a knife designed to attach to
your P.F.D., but any sharp knife will do. Whether you need the knife to cut
bait, cut your line or cut the anchor rope, be sure you knife is sharp and
easily accessible. The biggest mistake a lot of kayakers and fishermen make to
not having that knife within reach. Things can go sideways in a real hurry and
sometimes the difference between paddling and swimming can be having your knife
within reach.
Safety
Kit
Depending on the type of kayak you have you
will either be required to have a bilge pump or baler on board. Scotty® has some great safety kits available that contain everything you need to comply with the Canadian
Coast Guard Regulations, and those items are needed for any body of water you
are paddling on. Keep a whistle attached to your P.F.D., keep a buoyant heaving
line accessible as well as you bilge pump or baler. Add a few items to your kit
as well. First aid supplies are a must! Bandages and disinfectant are the most
important.
I speak from experience after having a
Northern Pike decide to hook me through the finger with the same treble hook
that was in its mouth. Which brings me to another item…. Good pliers or side
cutters. Make sure you have something to be able to cut through any hook you
have to remove it, should you happen to find yourself hooked!
Paddle
Leash
There is nothing worse that losing your
paddle. Remember the old adage “Up a certain creek with out a paddle”? Imagine
being out on a big body of water and not being able to paddle back. Ensuring
you paddle is attached to your boat with a leash will definitely ensure that
you are not in this predicament. I use the Scotty® Paddle Leash and absolutely
love it. No matter what leash you use, just use it. Either that or bring
another paddle along for the ride.
Paddle
Plan
Most of all, let someone know where you are
planning to go and if possible the time you are expecting to be back. Things
happen and if someone knows where you plan to be, it is a lot easier for them
to find you. That being said most areas we fish have some sort of cellular
coverage now, so if you are on a hot spot and going to run late make sure you
pass that along so you don’t become the focus of a search party.
Water
Re-Entry
And last but not least, find open water and
flip your kayak. Learning how to right your kayak and re-enter it could save
you. I find the easiest way to right a sit-on-top kayak, is to have a short
rope to help out. I have a small rope with a carabineer at each end, probably
4.5 feet long. I attach the rope to the handle of the kayak then toss the line
over the kayak hull. Swim around to the other side and create a loop to stand
in. Stand up in the loop, reach across the kayak, grab the handle and tug back.
You should be able to right your kayak in a few tries and hopefully you had
everything tied down and didn’t loose anything.
To get back on it now I find the easiest
way for me is to pull myself up the bow and slide on. Regardless of how you do
it, just practice it a few times and you should hopefully not have any issues
should this arise while out on the water.
Hope this helps everyone looking for a few
safety tips for kayak fishing!
Tight lines and see you at the launch.
