ZachYak
Senior Member
Like the last safety article I wrote, I think this article is too important for my fraction of a cent per view so I’m going to post it in its entirety. If you feel compelled to view it in the article view you can do that HERE. But what I want more than anything is for everyone to read this and be a little bit safer out on the water.
Night time is the right time for many anglers to test their skill on the water during the summer months. The water cools and many fish move to shallow waters to feed. Kayak anglers can capitalize on the prime time safely, but extra measures should be taken to ensure you make it on to fish another day.
Bare Essentials:
• White Light – Kayaks less than 16 feet (Class A boats) are only required to have a flashlight or lantern shining a white light at all times between sunset and sunrise. Kayaks 16 feet long or longer are required to have a white light that shines 360 degrees. Kayaks under power of a motor are also required to have red and green navigation lights.
Though the majority of kayaks aren’t required to have an all around light, it is a very good idea to have a high powered all around light mounted as high as feasibly possible over your kayak. The Yak Attack VISIPole is a great product I would recommend to anyone planning to fish at night.
Extras:
• Reflective tape & Bungees – other boats are going to have a hard time seeing brightly colored shirts and kayaks at night, so reflective materials are your best bet at additionally catching the eye of other boaters if they miss your light. Reflective tape can be put nearly everywhere, on your light pole, on your kayak, on your paddle, on your hat, etc. Certain PFD’s also come with reflective material in the straps and I would highly recommend that as a feature to look for in picking out a PFD.
• Navigation tools – Anything from a compass to a GPS can be your best friend while night fishing. It’s very easy to lose your bearings on a dark lake and these items can help you find your way back to the ramp.
• Shop glasses – Clear glasses used in a shop or laboratory is a safety item often overlooked by anglers. A hook to the eye has the high probability of leaving you blind. At the very least it will create a very hard time for you getting off the water and leave you a steep hospital bill once you get there.
Along with those items, be sure you’re carrying a ditch bag and the other required and recommended items described in this article. Also be sure to be completely aware of your surroundings. No matter how many precautions you take, kayaks will be difficult to spot. Hug the bank whenever possible and keep your head on a swivel!
Night time is the right time for many anglers to test their skill on the water during the summer months. The water cools and many fish move to shallow waters to feed. Kayak anglers can capitalize on the prime time safely, but extra measures should be taken to ensure you make it on to fish another day.
Bare Essentials:
• White Light – Kayaks less than 16 feet (Class A boats) are only required to have a flashlight or lantern shining a white light at all times between sunset and sunrise. Kayaks 16 feet long or longer are required to have a white light that shines 360 degrees. Kayaks under power of a motor are also required to have red and green navigation lights.
Though the majority of kayaks aren’t required to have an all around light, it is a very good idea to have a high powered all around light mounted as high as feasibly possible over your kayak. The Yak Attack VISIPole is a great product I would recommend to anyone planning to fish at night.
Extras:
• Reflective tape & Bungees – other boats are going to have a hard time seeing brightly colored shirts and kayaks at night, so reflective materials are your best bet at additionally catching the eye of other boaters if they miss your light. Reflective tape can be put nearly everywhere, on your light pole, on your kayak, on your paddle, on your hat, etc. Certain PFD’s also come with reflective material in the straps and I would highly recommend that as a feature to look for in picking out a PFD.
• Navigation tools – Anything from a compass to a GPS can be your best friend while night fishing. It’s very easy to lose your bearings on a dark lake and these items can help you find your way back to the ramp.
• Shop glasses – Clear glasses used in a shop or laboratory is a safety item often overlooked by anglers. A hook to the eye has the high probability of leaving you blind. At the very least it will create a very hard time for you getting off the water and leave you a steep hospital bill once you get there.
Along with those items, be sure you’re carrying a ditch bag and the other required and recommended items described in this article. Also be sure to be completely aware of your surroundings. No matter how many precautions you take, kayaks will be difficult to spot. Hug the bank whenever possible and keep your head on a swivel!