Kayak essential gear

Discussion in 'Kayak and Paddle Board Fishing' started by old_rookie, May 10, 2017.

Page 1 of 4
  1. old_rookie

    old_rookie
    Staff Member SDFish VIP

    Joined:
    May 26, 2009
    Messages:
    2,948
    Trophy Points:
    305
    Ratings:
    +5,395
    Since I didn't see a sticky in this forum, and from a request of one of the members of the site, lets use this to compile a list of essential gear for fishing and safety when on a kayak. The fish gear is not necessarily essential, well, it might be to catch fish, but that part will be negotiable.

    Please add to the list, but keep it on topic.
     
    #1 old_rookie, May 10, 2017
    • Like Like x 6
    • Helpful Helpful x 2
    • List
  2. old_rookie

    old_rookie
    Staff Member SDFish VIP

    Joined:
    May 26, 2009
    Messages:
    2,948
    Trophy Points:
    305
    Ratings:
    +5,395
    from Fomen :
    MUST HAVE KAYAK GEAR!

    1. PFD (Personal flotation devise). Must be for kayaks. Regular life vest will be too bulky. I was a rescue swimmer in the NAVY, and I ALWAYS wear mine.... ALWAYS!
    2. Portable VHF Radio. Channels 9 and 16 are the emergency channels. Ch 72 is typically the recreational fisherman's channel. Ch 18 is the sportboat channel.
    3. Dry Bag. Have a dry bag to put your keys and phone into. I also carry an extra set of clothes in mine. If you roll your kayak (even wearing paddling pants and waterproof gear) you're going to get wet. If you get wet, and the wind picks up, you're going to get COLD! Cold = hypothermia. Clothes weigh nothing. It's worth it.
    4. Let someone know. If you're launching solo, let someone know beforehand where you'll be launching. Give them an approximate time you'll be off the water. Give them an absolute time that if they don't hear from you to contact the authorities.
    5. Paddling leashes are a MUST! If you like your gear (i.e. your rods, reels, gaff, etc...) then have them leashed to your kayak at all times. ESPECIALLY when landing in the surf. I even have my Hobie Mirage drive leashed to my kayak. Leashes are very flexible and uninhibiting. They WILL NOT get in your way when fishing or paddling.
     
    #2 old_rookie, May 10, 2017
  3. old_rookie

    old_rookie
    Staff Member SDFish VIP

    Joined:
    May 26, 2009
    Messages:
    2,948
    Trophy Points:
    305
    Ratings:
    +5,395
    Hand powered bilge pump.
    In case you develop a leak, or happen to take on a lot of water at a surf launch, this is important.
     
    #3 old_rookie, May 10, 2017
  4. TheCuban1040

    TheCuban1040
    SDFish VIP

    Joined:
    Feb 16, 2015
    Messages:
    134
    Trophy Points:
    105
    Location:
    Carlsbad
    Ratings:
    +408
    Name:
    Lu
    Boat:
    Freedom Boat Club
    I would add these to the list of things that I need on my yak at all times:

    Whistle
    Compass
    Sunglasses
    Sunblock
     
    #4 TheCuban1040, May 10, 2017
    • Helpful Helpful x 4
    • Like Like x 1
    • List
  5. Cyborgstarfish

    Cyborgstarfish Catcherman
    SDFish VIP

    Joined:
    Mar 9, 2015
    Messages:
    2,175
    Trophy Points:
    260
    Location:
    Fashion Valley
    Ratings:
    +5,732
    Boat:
    Ascend FS10 kayak
    Paddle
    Seat
    Hat
    Anchor
    Buddy
    Light
    Sunglasses
    Sunscreen
    Extra clothes
    Rag
    Knife
    Tackle
    Rods and reels
    Rope for tieing up
    Bilge pump
    Gaff or net
     
    #5 Cyborgstarfish, May 10, 2017
    • Helpful Helpful x 3
    • Like Like x 1
    • List
  6. Larry M

    Larry M
    SDFish VIP

    Joined:
    Nov 3, 2016
    Messages:
    3,201
    Trophy Points:
    250
    Location:
    Escondido
    Ratings:
    +7,967
    Name:
    Larry M
    Saw this at Costco today, hope this fits in for safety for transportation of your yak.
    $40.00

    20170510_105716.jpg
     
    #6 Larry M, May 10, 2017
  7. Werfless

    Werfless The Coach
    SDFish VIP

    Joined:
    Mar 16, 2016
    Messages:
    17,504
    Trophy Points:
    305
    Location:
    The County
    Ratings:
    +40,423
    Name:
    D/Daniel/Coach/Werf
    Boat:
    One too many
    Throwable pfd
    Signal device (mirror, strobe etc)
    Spare cheapie paddle
     
    #7 Werfless, May 10, 2017
    • Like Like x 1
    • Helpful Helpful x 1
    • List
  8. old_rookie

    old_rookie
    Staff Member SDFish VIP

    Joined:
    May 26, 2009
    Messages:
    2,948
    Trophy Points:
    305
    Ratings:
    +5,395
    What is a throwable PFD? Or I should say what makes it throwable?
     
    #8 old_rookie, May 10, 2017
  9. Fomen

    Fomen
    SDFish VIP

    Joined:
    Mar 19, 2008
    Messages:
    1,658
    Trophy Points:
    195
    Ratings:
    +2,952
    Oh... Almost forgot. MEASURING TAPE! Not only to measure your catch for photo ops, but to avoid being hassled by the DFG in the event you are asked to show your catch.
     
    #9 Fomen, May 10, 2017
    • Agree Agree x 1
    • Helpful Helpful x 1
    • List
  10. Werfless

    Werfless The Coach
    SDFish VIP

    Joined:
    Mar 16, 2016
    Messages:
    17,504
    Trophy Points:
    305
    Location:
    The County
    Ratings:
    +40,423
    Name:
    D/Daniel/Coach/Werf
    Boat:
    One too many
    Was looking for the uscg rules and definitions.. Apparently they are changing the wording and definitions in the regs, but essentially a pfd designed to be thrown by human hand, like flotation seats, life rings etc with 12lb of lift (I think).. The old regs were super confusing and now I cant remember what the wording was. I do remember throwing one to a paddleboarder that fell off outside the surf line in mission beach while I retrieved his board for him, he was looking tired and it was almost dark..
     
    #10 Werfless, May 10, 2017
  11. old_rookie

    old_rookie
    Staff Member SDFish VIP

    Joined:
    May 26, 2009
    Messages:
    2,948
    Trophy Points:
    305
    Ratings:
    +5,395
    I have markings on my kayak - it isn't official in the eyes of the DFG, but it helps to get an idea if you are not sure if to keep or throw back.
     
    #11 old_rookie, May 10, 2017
    • Helpful Helpful x 2
    • Like Like x 1
    • List
  12. Carterantebi

    Carterantebi The Skunk Magnet
    SDFish VIP

    Joined:
    Jul 10, 2016
    Messages:
    4,659
    Trophy Points:
    280
    Location:
    Nado/AZ
    Ratings:
    +10,791
    Name:
    Carter
    Boat:
    Hobie Revo
    Airhorn, whistle, bailing sponge, Zinka, livewell if you want to get fancy, a dolly of some sort for easy transportation on land, vhf, lots of spare rope, battery, drift chute, if in shallow water I'll bring an 8-12 foot pvc pipe to use as a stake-out pole, Swiss Army knife, maybe some spare clothes in a dry bag as Fomen said.
    This summer I'm gonna really deck out my kayak and make it look nice and fancy. I'm looking at doing bow lights, LED courtesy lights in various spots, and I'm going to rig up some kind of GoPro arm to film. Maybe even some underwater lights if I'm feeling fancy. I'm going to really try to maximize on the night night this year. Anyone else have any customization ideas? I'm thinking about maybe installing an H-rail but not sure if it will get in the way.
     
    #12 Carterantebi, May 10, 2017
  13. Fomen

    Fomen
    SDFish VIP

    Joined:
    Mar 19, 2008
    Messages:
    1,658
    Trophy Points:
    195
    Ratings:
    +2,952
    Scupper lights are AWESOME! I want these:
    amazon" style="display:inline-block;width:100%;max-width:120px">
     
    #13 Fomen, May 10, 2017
  14. Carterantebi

    Carterantebi The Skunk Magnet
    SDFish VIP

    Joined:
    Jul 10, 2016
    Messages:
    4,659
    Trophy Points:
    280
    Location:
    Nado/AZ
    Ratings:
    +10,791
    Name:
    Carter
    Boat:
    Hobie Revo
    Those are pretty dang cool. Do they still allow the scuppers to bail?
     
    #14 Carterantebi, May 10, 2017
  15. Cyborgstarfish

    Cyborgstarfish Catcherman
    SDFish VIP

    Joined:
    Mar 9, 2015
    Messages:
    2,175
    Trophy Points:
    260
    Location:
    Fashion Valley
    Ratings:
    +5,732
    Boat:
    Ascend FS10 kayak
    I want to see the lights! Best part of the hobie that I'm looking at is the customization possibilities and no paddle needed.
    The only kayak I have is a freshwater sit-in-kayak (bass pro shops 10ft ascend fs-10)
    It's been a while silence I have taken it out but I couldn't fit much in it but one thing I really wanted was to reach live bait easier, stand up for artificials, and a bigger live well. I felt when I was sitting down I couldn't feel anything.
     
    #15 Cyborgstarfish, May 10, 2017
    Last edited: May 10, 2017
  16. Carterantebi

    Carterantebi The Skunk Magnet
    SDFish VIP

    Joined:
    Jul 10, 2016
    Messages:
    4,659
    Trophy Points:
    280
    Location:
    Nado/AZ
    Ratings:
    +10,791
    Name:
    Carter
    Boat:
    Hobie Revo
    I'm really looking forward to it and I already know it's gonna look dope. I have the Revolution, so I haven't really tried standing up in it out of fear of flipping, but I'm sure I'm light enough that it would work in glassy conditions. I love all the options Hobies have as far as customization.
     
    #16 Carterantebi, May 10, 2017
    • Like Like x 2
    • Agree Agree x 1
    • List
  17. geofish

    geofish
    SDFish VIP

    Joined:
    Nov 2, 2016
    Messages:
    3,877
    Trophy Points:
    285
    Ratings:
    +11,419
    I'm thinking about taking out the bait tank on my Big Tuna and make it a glass bottom boat! Also a periscope like in Waterworld so I can better spot target my feeesh! The underwater light idea will make my glass bottom boat idea a 24 hour a day reality!
     
    #17 geofish, May 10, 2017
    Last edited: Jan 12, 2018
  18. Werfless

    Werfless The Coach
    SDFish VIP

    Joined:
    Mar 16, 2016
    Messages:
    17,504
    Trophy Points:
    305
    Location:
    The County
    Ratings:
    +40,423
    Name:
    D/Daniel/Coach/Werf
    Boat:
    One too many
    I want pix of this yak.. I do have a crate for you and one for Leoffensive .. First in line gets the better one... Lol
     
    #18 Werfless, May 10, 2017
  19. Fat Spottie

    Fat Spottie Evolved Pinhead
    SDFish VIP

    Joined:
    Apr 20, 2016
    Messages:
    3,615
    Trophy Points:
    260
    Location:
    La Jolla
    Ratings:
    +9,577
    Name:
    None Either
    Boat:
    Hobie PA-14
    The reasonable things Fomen originally mentioned and a gallon of water with a subway...

    Big hats to prevent sunburn as well.
     
    #19 Fat Spottie, May 10, 2017
  20. geofish

    geofish
    SDFish VIP

    Joined:
    Nov 2, 2016
    Messages:
    3,877
    Trophy Points:
    285
    Ratings:
    +11,419
    Me, me, me!
     
    #20 geofish, May 10, 2017
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)
Page 1 of 4
Loading...
Similar Threads - Kayak essential gear Forum Date
White Shark Bites Kayak? Private Boaters and General Saltwater Oct 8, 2019
My first kayak session Kayak and Paddle Board Fishing Oct 6, 2019
Last minute post (kayak) Bay Fishing Oct 5, 2019
For Sale NRS Ambush Tackle Bag Kayak Crate Kayaks & Float Tubes for Sale/Wanted/Trade Sep 28, 2019
Anybody ever heard of Vanhunks kayaks? Kayak and Paddle Board Fishing Sep 25, 2019
Tags:

Share This Page