In 2023, the U.S. Coast Guard was proud to report the biggest year-over-year drop in boating fatalities in more than a decade in all categories but one – paddling. Paddling fatalities increased in 2023 to nearly one in three (32.5 percent) recreational boating deaths in the United States, up from 27.4 percent in 2022. While statistics for 2024 have yet to come, it now feels like each week we see another story of a kayaking or personal watercraft fatality and another family left wondering how the loss of a loved one could have been prevented.
While many of our blogs are aimed at highlighting kayak fishing products, offering tips and guides, we cannot stress enough that the products included in this blog are affordable ways to keep you safer on the water.
It is easy to get excited when looking at kayak accessories. Whether that be the flashy stuff like motors, crates, anchors, camera equipment or fish finders – safety equipment is often the most overlooked. However, a forward-facing sonar isn't going to make you more visible to a speedboat and your bow mount motor isn't going to retrieve you from the water when the worst-case scenario happens.
Before you use your entire budget on the flashy kayak fishing accessories, PLEASE read our safety tips and consider the following tips and accessories (whether purchased through us or not) as requirements each and every time you are on the water.
Kayak Fishing & Paddling Safety Tips:
1. 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!
On a recent float trip of my own, I made a friend put their PFD on vs. leaving it draped over their kayak chair. It wasn't more than 20 minutes into our float that they hit a snag while standing and lost their balance and went overboard. We were able to laugh about it in the moment, but had they been solo and hit their head on their fall or the snag that knocked them over, a silly situation could have been fatal in the blink of an eye. Not more than two hours later, the same friend was rolled over by a large wake created by a large fishing vessel. Luck was not on our side that day, but wearing a PFD and paddling with a partner negated the bad luck.
NEW NRS Chinook Fishing PFD The evolution of NRS Chinook Fishing PFD, our best-selling life jacket, depends on our designers listening to the revi...
View full detailsOld Town Lure Angler Performance High-Back Fishing Life Jacket. Designed with the performance kayak angler in mind, the Lure Angler jacket comes eq...
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Old Town Lure II Angler Life Jacket Performance High-Back Fishing Life Jacket. Designed with the performance kayak angler in mind, the Lure Angler ...
View full detailsMatik Inflatable PFD An alternative to waist-belted PFDs, the low-profile NRS Matik Inflatable PFD resembles a traditional lifevest with the compa...
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NRS Chinook Fishing PFD With all the organization and attachment points needed for your fishing accessories, the NRS Chinook Fishing PFD is the wo...
View full detailsOru PFD Life Jacket Safety first! We never kayak without a PFD—and neither should you. The Oru PFD is made by NRS, the industry leader in high-per...
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2024 NRS Shenook Fishing PFD The NRS Women's Shenook Fishing PFD gives lady anglers the safety they need on the water that's purposely designed to...
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Inflatable PFD Feel safe and secure on the water with a low-profile inflatable PFD. Our harness-style life jacket provides all-day comfort on the w...
View full detailsClearwater Mesh Back PFD The NRS Clearwater Mesh Back PFD is our foundational front-entry jacket with high-back flotation to accommodate most kaya...
View full detailsNRS Zoya Mesh Back PFD With a streamlined design, high-back flotation, and pliable foam in the chest, the NRS Women's Zoya Mesh Back PFD is an ult...
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Perception Hi-Fi Life Jacket Ultimate Comfort and Safety Combined The Perception Hi-Fi Life Jacket features a high-back design and is a perfect fi...
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Inflatable PFD Rearm Kit Hobie replacement kit to rearm our Inflatable PFDs. Purchase after inflatable PFD deployment on the water or great to keep...
View full detailsOld Town Solitude II Women’s-Specific Performance High-Back Life Jacket. Designed with the performance female paddler in mind, the Solitude ja...
View full detailsShop 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.
2. 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.
Be sure to also use resources like the National Water Prediction Service to get a read on water levels. High water, especially in rivers, leads to unpredictable currents, cloudy water where you can't see debris, and less of an ability to control your personal watercraft properly. Tipping over in high water has increased risk of being separated from your vessel and being swept into danger with no ability to fight the current. Know your water conditions before you leave your house.
3. Be as Visible as Possible!
We are going to share our top choices for visibility gear beyond the non-negotiable wearing of your PFD. It boils down to keeping you and your watercraft as visible as possible to other boaters. Capsizing and falling out of your fishing kayak are far to often a direct result of not being seen until it is too late. Highly visible orange flags with lights and navigation lights can help you and your kayak stand out on the water. With many fishing kayaks canoes now matching their surroundings with camoflaged color schemes visibilty is an overlooked safety risk that is easily preventable.
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.
EFS Heavy Duty Kayak Flag Durable Material: Made of tear-resistant, water-resistant oxford fabric material that won't fray in the wind L...
View full detailsVisibility Kit II The RAILBLAZA Visibility Kit II is a must-have safety item for any kayaker, canoer or recreational paddler. In one convenien...
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VISICarbon Pro by YakAttack Designed to meet the needs of all anglers- from serious kayak fishermen to recreational paddlers- the VISICarbon P...
View full detailsYakAttack VISIFlag™ with Mighty Mount The VISIFlag™ from YakAttack™ is a 52" tall flag pole offering enhanced daytime visibility. It fits in most ...
View full detailsClearwater Mesh Back PFD The NRS Clearwater Mesh Back PFD is our foundational front-entry jacket with high-back flotation to accommodate most kaya...
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Yak Attack 10” LED Light Kit Why cut and splice when you can just plug-and-play? Yak-Power has completely revolutionized LED lighting for kayaks. U...
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Serious Complete System For anglers that are serious about rigging their kayak for electronics, this is the perfect complete plug-and-play wiring s...
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Integrated RF/Bluetooth Control Last Mode Memory: The system remembers which circuits were ON when Master Power is used to turn the entire system...
View full details4. 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. River conditions can change quickly and present more dangerous scenarios like downed trees, snags and backcurrents. Knowing how to handle your kayak in calm water can prepare you for more dangerous water like rivers.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
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:
Paddling fatalities increased in 2023 to nearly one in three (32.5 percent) recreational boating deaths in the United States, up from 27.4 percent in 2022. Almost all could have been prevented with proper safety precautions and always wearing a PFD. We have 8 tips you SHOULD follow each paddling trip.
We have some gift ideas for the fishing dad in your life. Whether they are an avid angler or a kayak angler we have accessories, on-the-water safety equipment and fishing storage solutions for fishermen closest to you.
When you get too focused on fishing, you can miss the moments that brought us to the sport in the first place. When you have a family, shifting your focus from only angling to finding the perfect fit for your WHOLE family can help help foster your family's bond with the sport, helping you get on the water more.
