Darrell writes for www.yakangler.com
Once you have whipped a fish you intend to keep, you will need to store it somewhere. Smaller fish can be stored in a cooler with ice; you might consider a fish bag with ice for a medium fish that will not fit in a cooler. Wrap large fish in towels or netting and strap it to the deck of your kayak. It is a good idea to carry a burlap bag to keep the fish wet and to control fish slime.
A fish stringer could also be an option, but if you are fishing in brackish or salt water a stringer could be a bad choice. You could be presenting a temptation to sharks, especially if your catch is bleeding. In freshwater in the southern states, this could also be a temptation to an alligator. If you choose this option, make you have a quick-release attachment so you can separate yourself from your catch if the sharks or alligators decide they want it more than you do.
10. Kayak Fishing Safety: This article is not intended to be the last word or authority on kayak angling safety. No amount of information can prepare you for all possibilities. Be careful out there. Always fish with a buddy & let someone know where you’re going.
Weather: Weather should always be checked and taken into account. The two most common and violent causes for storm activity are frontal conditions and summer thunderstorm activity.
Wind: Wind means rough water, which creates a potential for overturning. Kayaks can take quite a bit of rough water, especially when paddled by an experienced kayaker. The key is not to allow the waves to catch you broadside. If a big wave hits you broadside, it can turn you over. You want to keep the bow or stern directed at an angle to the waves. You want to be wearing a personal flotation device (PFD) with a whistle attached. The most important thing is not to panic. Stay with your kayak, even if you are unable to reboard.
When the weather has any chance of getting ugly, do not commit yourself to paddle large expanses of deep open water.
Lightning: If you are on the water when a storm is coming and you hear a faint vibrating or buzzing sound coming from your fishing rods, get off the water. This usually indicates that the ions in the air are highly charged, and lightening could strike at any time. While paddling toward shore, lower your rods from the upright position so they don’t act as lightning rods. Once on shore, stay low and reduce your contact with the ground (e.g. by getting into your car).
Fog: It’s easy to get lost when you can’t see, and these conditions can leave you open to the threat of being struck by a larger boat. It is best to stay off larger waters where motorized craft travel when it’s foggy and visibility is poor. It is also a good idea to stay close contact with the shoreline to prevent getting disoriented and traveling in circles. When paddling on larger bodies of water, you should have a compass or a GPS onboard.
In warm weather, a kayakercan become overheated and suffer exhaustion or heat stroke. If this happens, cool down. You should always have plenty of water to drink onboard. Overexposure to the sun’s rays can result in a painful case of sunburn. Long term neglect can lead to skin cancer. Sunscreen or good SPF-rated clothing are your best friends You may be tempted to wear your bathing suit, but make sure you have a hat, good sunglasses, and the right clothing on board.
Hooks, fins, and teeth: With such a low profile on the water, a kayak gets an angler closer to the prey
than any other watercraft. With fish fighting for their lives, some extreme behavior is displayed. Fish with mouths full of sharp teeth or barbed trebled hooks can launch into aerial displays with wild head shaking attempts to throw the hooks right back you. It is a good idea to restrict the use of treble hooks, or crimp your barbs so the hook is easier to remove from your skin. Use caution when handling fish at the end of a fight. Many fish have sharp teeth as well as sharp or spiny areas.
Scary critters: Aside from the fish that you pick a fight with, there are some other threats - real and imagined. Alligators are rarely a serious threat in daylight, however they become bolder at night. Sharks are probably more of a threat in your imagination than they are in reality - unless, of course, you hook one, pull it up to your kayak, and face the consequences. If you do not want incidents with sharks, be careful of creating any blood trails in the water, do not drag any fish on a stringer, and if you are fighting a fish on your line when a shark suddenly attacks it, let him have all of it. Sit quietly until he’s gone.
In rivers or areas with low-hanging branches snakes can be an issue. Sometimes they will drop and land into a boat. Try not to panic. Get the snake out of the boat as quickly as possible, and try to keep from capsizing. Watch for overhanging limbs when kayaking. If you come across a swimming moccasin, paddle quickly in reverse and assume that the snake will aggressively defend its territory.
The most frightening and dangerous creatures to a kayak are powerboats. Try & avoid the boating channels and high-traffic areas. The biggest threat is being run over by one. Consider a brightly-colored kayak to lessen the chance of not being noticed. If you are paddling in rolling waves where you are intermittently hidden, you should display a bright flag high above your kayak. Night paddling involves an even greater threat from boaters. You will need to carry a bright light to get their attention.
A minimum list of safety equipment: PFD with whistle attached, safety belt (attaches to bow line), drinking water, paddle leash, first aid kit, sun block, and a raised visibility flag. For longer trips that are farther from civilization I would suggest a flare, compass, GPS, VHF radio/cell phone, flashlight, and anchor.
I hope these ten tips are helpful to get you starting in kayak angling!
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Read Part 2 HERE
