It is easy to get excited when looking at kayak accessories. Whether that be kayak fishing accessories, paddling accessories or kayak fishing gear – safety equipment is often the most overlooked. Fish finders, kayak fishing crates, motors, kayak anchors and camera accessories are admittedly a ton of fun. However, nothing is more important than paddling safety accessories and preparedness.
Before you blow your entire budget on the coolest new kayak accessory rail items, let's look at our top safety tips and some of the most critical safety equipment to add to your kayaks.
Kayak Fishing & Paddling Tips:
Wear a Personal Flotation Device (PFD)
Talk to any paddler, whether they are recreational or anglers, and they’ll all tell you one accessory you cannot go on the water without is your lifejacket (PFD). No matter the level of experience you have or the water you are on, you can never be certain you won’t capsize or sustain an injury that incapacitates you. A PFD is a must have for all paddlers. The best PFD on the market is the one that you will wear!
Shop all Lifejackets and PFDs to find the best fit for you and your paddling needs and check out our full podcast episode breaking down the Best PFDs for Kayak Fishing.
Check the Weather Forecast & Water Conditions
Before heading out, always check the weather forecast and water conditions. Sudden changes in weather can create dangerous situations, especially in open water. Avoid kayaking in extreme weather conditions, such as thunderstorms, strong winds, or heavy fog. Also, be aware of tides and currents if you're kayaking in the ocean or rivers.
We all know weather apps are not completely reliable. Getting a read on the sky can be difficult, but always err on the side of caution. If you gut tells you the weather feels off, trust it. If ominous clouds are on the horizon but your weather app is still telling you that you are in the clear you should trust your eyes.
I recently got fooled by both the weather app and the movement of the clouds. I took my family paddling to a local lake to watch a waterski show. Ominous clouds were off in the distance but the weather was hot and sunny. The weather app said we were in the clear for the next four hours. The waterski show was also fooled and the show started. Suddenly the wind changed and when I turned around it was clear we were staring down a lightning storm. Luckily, we got off the water before the lightning reached us, but we were soaked and it was a scary situation. We can laugh now at the funny "back seat driving" we caught on camera with my son, but lesson absolutely learned. Too close for comfort.
Bring the Right Gear – Visibility
We are going to share our top choices for visibility gear beyond the non-negotiable wearing of your PFD. It boils down to keeping yourself visible to others and afloat on the water. These two pieces of gear can prevent an accident and keep you alive.
Adding lights to your kayak can be as comlex or as simple as you'd like it to be. If you have a motor on your kayak you are required by law to have the red and green navigation lights on your kayak. However, even if you do not have a motor it is wise to add a visibility flag or light combo to make yourself seen by other boaters.
Many lighting and flag kits don't require any drilling into your kayak and can prevent a boating accident. Let's look at some lighting kits to keep you safe on the water.
Know Your Limits & Skill Level
Understanding your own abilities is crucial to staying safe on the water. Choose kayaking routes that match your skill level, and don't attempt challenging waters until you’ve gained enough experience. If you're a beginner, start with calm waters and gradually progress to more challenging environments as your skills improve.
Fishing kayaks in particular are bigger, heavier and at times more difficult to maneuver. Before you load your kayak down with more accessories, gear and weight, take your kayak out to a local pond or swimming beach. Get in it and get a feel for it. How does it paddle? How does it turn? Strip your kayak down, put on your life jacket and find your kayak's tipping point in shallow water. Learning your kayak or canoe and how it behaves can help prevent capsizing in more strenuous situations.
Inform Someone of Your Plans
Before you embark on your kayaking trip, let someone know your plans. Share details such as your launch point, route, and expected return time. This is especially important if you're kayaking alone. In case of an emergency, someone will know where to find you.
Even though this all seems obvious, it can assure that help will try to find you if something goes wrong on your trip. So long as you are wearing your life jacket, if you inform others of your plans, you should find yourself in a situation you can be resuced should you capsize or get swept away in unsuspected weather. Sharing your float plan is quick and easy.
Practice Re-Entry Tactics
As we mentioned above, take your kayak to shallow water and purposely find the tipping point. Feel what it is like to push your kayak past the point where it will capsize. Find its limitations. Now, find out how you can get back into your kayak. Are you able to do it? How can you make it easier to do?
Capsizing is a common occurrence in kayaking, especially for beginners or when navigating rough waters. It’s vital to practice re-entry techniques so you can get back into your kayak quickly and safely. If you're unsure how to perform a re-entry, consider taking a kayaking safety course to learn this and other essential skills. Adding a rope to your kayak to help you stand or pull yourself back in can be useful as well. Find out what works best for you by practicing.
Stay Hydrated & Protect Yourself From the Sun
Spending hours on the water can lead to dehydration and sunburn. Always bring plenty of water and drink regularly, even if you don’t feel thirsty. Protect yourself from the sun by wearing the proper Apparel: a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen with high SPF, long-sleeved shirts and pants made of lightweight, moisture-wicking fabric can all help shield your skin from harmful UV rays.
Know When to Call it a Day
Finally, know when to turn back or call it a day. If the weather changes, you’re feeling fatigued, or the conditions become too challenging, it’s better to head back to shore than to push your limits. Kayaking should be enjoyable, and part of that enjoyment comes from making safe decisions.
You gut can tell you a lot. If the weather feels wrong, you don't feel physically right or conditions of the water seem suspect it is better to be cautious than sorry. Excitement can get the best of all of us, especially in seasons where time on the water is limited due to weather or life circumstances. But it is still best to be safe. Use your judgement.
Kayak Anglers Resource Podcast
Kayak Anglers Resource Community
A community for kayak anglers. The discussions are generated by kayak anglers and the kayaking community shares tips, mistakes and suggestions for kayak fishing. Check out a few examples of anglers helping anglers:
The Ultimate Holiday Guide You've searched: The "ultimate Christmas gift"; the "best Christmas gift for a father"; "great Christmas gift for him"; or some variation of "holiday gift ideas." Each passing holiday presents the challenge of finding unique gifts to...
Comparing 3 Waters Kayaks: Big Fish 103, Big Fish 105 PDL, Big Fish 108, and Big Fish 120 PDL For anglers and paddling enthusiasts who want a stable, high-performing kayak, the Big Fish series by 3 Waters Kayaks is a...
