With the increasing popularity of kayak fishing, especially in salt water which can be riskier than local lakes, it is essential that experienced paddlers and beginners alike are familiar with a few simple safety measures.
Safety when kayaking in saltwater is of paramount importance. Pre-trip risk assessment is essential. Fishing in groups so that others can provide support if necessary. Informing people of your location, dressing correctly, and storing quality safety equipment all contribute to the safety of saltwater kayakers.
A day spent fishing is never wasted; kayaking is a great way to enjoy it. Now, I’ve always enjoyed boating, kayaking, and fishing. So putting all three together is the best way to spend quality time in some of the most beautiful and sometimes wildest environments.
It’s a great way to put a delicious dinner on the table. Sea kayaking can take you to places that larger boats can’t reach, this seaworthiness means more chances to catch fish, but it comes with some potential dangers that need to be addressed.
You can join deep-sea fishing trips or rent a boat, but these options can be expensive and restrictive. Kayak fishing gives you all the pros of ocean fishing but uses your boat, location, and equipment. Although kayak fishing is an excellent sport, like all water sports, it does involve a certain degree of risk.
If you are still thinking about a fishing kayak, you can consult the best we have studied here and the main characteristics to look for in a fishing kayak.
How to fish in a kayak safely?
Maybe that and the excitement it creates is what attracts people, like rock climbing, mountaineering, and other outdoor or extreme sports. These risks can be mitigated. For years, I found myself hanging from the end of ropes, buried by 12-foot waves, and looking down at the top of the waterfalls, thinking that maybe I hadn’t thought about it enough! Luckily, I do my homework and planning, and I minimize these risks as much as possible.
In this article, we will look at some sea kayaking safety tips, it is not a definitive list, and if you have the experience, it can serve as an update. If you are a beginner in sea kayaking, you can consider them as the starting point, not the endpoint of sea kayaking safety.
Plan the trip according to your abilities.
Planning and organizing a trip is one of the most important safety measures a sea kayaker can take. It includes all of the elements below and one often overlooked element. I taught and paddled on large whitewater areas and often met good kayakers who overestimated their abilities.
With saltwater and sea kayaking, this was, in my opinion, less of a problem. There seems to be less to prove and more about the experience than bragging rights. (I know I don’t speak for everyone!) However, knowing your abilities and skills is a skill worth practicing.
There is more than just the ability to paddle for sea kayaking fishing. Although it does play a role, it is also about whether planning, escape routes, equipment on board, emergency planning, and the waters, tides, locations, and hazards of the places you plan to fish.
This can range from sharks to tears. All you need to consider is your level of knowledge and create a plan of action. If you’re not sure where you’re going to paddle, look for information online and from local canoe clubs, marinas, and the Coast Guard. It won’t take long and could be the difference between a great day and a terrible one.
A clear sky can turn into the rain without warning, so taking your rain gear, dry bag, waterproof containers, safety kits, and bilge pump are very important on every trip.
Your skills and local legal requirements
Before going kayaking on the sea, it is essential to know how to manage a fishing kayak built especially for the occasion. However, almost all kayak fishers are anglers before becoming kayakers. Knowing your limits and boat limits and the legality of the place where you are fishing is essential.
- Know how to get back in your kayak if you capsize. Rowing is a skill you must practice before you leave the shore. Also, try it with a loaded kayak and with complete equipment. You can watch this video for some tips.
- Be aware that a fishing kayak is not a river kayak. It is not as maneuverable, so you must be very knowledgeable about fishing near cliffs or rocks. They are excellent in a straight line but don’t turn a penny.
- You need to know how far you can paddle safely, even if you have a trolling motor or pedal system. It may be easy to paddle two miles, but it can quickly turn into five if you don’t take note. And the number will double when you paddle back to your area. So train and build up your endurance on a local lake or river before heading to sea. If possible, bring a spare battery if you use a trolling motor.
- Knowing what safety equipment is required on a fishing kayak in your condition is also essential. Some may require flags, flares, and first aid kits.
Understanding the tides and location
This is one of the essential safety tips for sea kayaking, fishing during high tides can be very risky. Fishing in a sea that moves quickly and with strong winds can be risky. Remember that areas with receding tides leave large mudflats. And coming back during a negative tide will let you push your kayak through the mud.
It will depend a lot on where you are. In the UK and the US, and I imagine elsewhere, some mudflats turn into sinking sands and tidal runs that will challenge a trolling motor on your kayak. Once, I got caught without being able to get out of the ocean because the tide had covered the beach and the only way out was a few steps in the ocean hammered by six-foot waves.
So, if you are fishing in new areas, ask the local people for advice.
Bring enough food and drink for your trip.
When you spend hours on the water, you need to stay hydrated and keep food in your stomach for energy. Your cooler needs to be clean and filled with enough food and drink. We have options to separate the food from your intake to keep both cool.
It can get hot in the water, and you will get dehydrated if you don’t drink enough fluids. Some energy bars or electrolyte drinks can be stored easily for emergencies. Fresh sealed water is also available if you are outdoors longer than expected.
Get dressed for immersion.
Dressing for immersion makes your fishing experience safer and more enjoyable. Many new anglers make the mistake of underestimating Mother Nature. You should always consider the temperature and water conditions before you leave for the day and dress accordingly.
The temperature at the water’s surface is different from the temperature below, so it is essential to take hypothermia seriously and dress accordingly. You should wear a dry suit or wetsuit if fishing in the water below 60 degrees. You should also take a head covering if you don’t wear it, it should be put away. A significant portion of heat loss is through the head.
Knowing the signs of hypothermia in yourself and others will help you take action before the situation worsens. If someone is immersed in water, you must suspect hypothermia if it is cold. You must keep a close eye on them and return to shore, or move closer if you are far away, as soon as possible. Once they are out, they will be sensitive to wind chill factors. It’s better to be aware than to be sorry.
Don’t go fishing alone in a sea kayak.
It is said that safety is in the numbers, and this also applies to fishing. You can do it independently if you are an experienced kayaker, but it dramatically increases the risks. You will reduce your margin of error if you bring a friend. Although we have titled this phrase “Don’t go fishing alone in a sea kayak,” it applies to both sea kayaking and freshwater kayaking.
Accidents can happen no matter how safe your local lake is and how good a paddler you are. If you find yourself with friends, it can be a fun, self-directed story with a completely different ending.
Rescuing a friend is faster than self-rescue, and there is a limit to what you can do if you get hurt. Plus, sharing the adventure is fun, and having a reliable fishing partner is better than fishing alone. You can share stories, tips, and equipment if you’re in a group and keep an eye on each other.
Don’t forget to wear your lifejacket or buoyancy aid.
Another essential tip is always to use a flotation device. Most Coast Guard rules require that all kayaks have a lifejacket on board. I would go further, not only onboard but also wearing it at all times. A heat stroke, a fishing rod hitting you on the head, falling and hitting your head. It can all happen without warning. A buoyancy aid or lifejacket keeps you on the surface and makes it easier to be spotted if the worst happens.
Wearing a lifejacket helps keep your head out of the water and adds insulation to your body, keeping you warm in cold water. There are some fantastic PFDs designed explicitly for kayakers that you can check out here, so pick one that fits you well and wear it while paddling. They also make it easier for other kayakers to grab and pull you or their boat if necessary.
Prepare a backup plan in case of an emergency.
It is essential to plan an exit route out of the water if conditions change. It is also essential to let your close friends and family know where you are fishing and when you will be back. When fishing at sea, there are many unknowns, so having a solid plan will give you extra insurance in an emergency. Let your loved ones know where you are fishing, how long you will be fishing, and who your fishing partner is.
Phones are now equipped with GPS, and although the signals may evaporate at sea, they will give your family a location, accurate or approximate, if there is a need to call for help.
Bring a VHF marine radio.
One of the essential pieces of safety equipment for sea kayaking is to have a functional VHF marine radio. It can be useful in a group rather than individually. There are floating options available. The radio is probably the only line of communication for the kayak fishers when fishing at sea.
It costs no more than $100; you can share it if you are fishing in a group. We recommend you have your own and try it out before using it.
Have a GPS device
Any experienced saltwater kayaker will tell you that conditions can change very quickly. Therefore, having a GPS or a compass will allow you to stay on course if conditions deteriorate or fog suddenly forms.
Fishing with a GPS will help you have important information at your fingertips. You can easily know the depth of the water and the distance from shore and mark your favorite fishing spot to return to later without any problems. We have an article here about the best fish finders, and the recommended ones come with a GPS so that they can act as a safety net and find you fish!
Take a first aid/emergency kit.
This advice is pretty standard for any outdoor activity. Climbing, hiking, boating, kayaking. Perhaps the stability of fishing kayaks or the amount of equipment already loaded makes kayak fishers forget or ignore this advice. An excellent first aid kit at sea is not expensive and is, in our opinion, essential.
Kayaking is an exhausting activity. Sprains, cuts, and bruises can occur quite naturally. Hooks can go in the fingers, and blows to the head happen. Fish sometimes bite off more than hooks, and even knives can slip from the hands. Spending $50 for a waterproof first-aid kit can make all these problems, and the many others I haven’t mentioned, much easier to deal with. If you have a small dry bag, you can make one too.
Look at the weather forecast.
We mentioned it above, but it is such an important safety tip for sea kayak fishing that we repeat it. I sat on my balcony and watched a squall chasing a small fishing boat back to port, and it was tiny, almost like one of those cartoon clouds over a person. On the same balcony, I saw a jet of water coming from about a kilometer off the coast to reach land – and you can see the fishing boats on it! It’s on my other channel, but it’s cool to see!
If you see clouds forming, you’d better get closer to shore or shorten the trip. If there are warnings, you must consider them, and either doesn’t go or wait for the weather to clear. It is not for nothing that there is a maritime saying called “Keep an eye on the weather on the horizon”.
A reminder to check the weather is better visually than me telling you about it!
Conclusion
In conclusion, the safety of sea kayak fishing is essential. The sea is a cruel mistress and deserves respect for ALL the activities practiced there. Even small white sand beaches like the one above have their dangers.
Many people don’t realize how dangerous it can be. As simple as some of these safety tips for sea kayak fishing may seem, they are certainly not considered by enough kayak fishers. Make sure you plan, have adequate clothing, communicate with the shoreline, and the emergency equipment you would take on any expedition, and you will go a long way to mitigating the risks.