All these tips are gold, I definitely don’t tether my gear and am done risking it. I tipped once last year and while I didn’t lose anything I was so surprised I was faint of breath and if I hadn’t been wearing my pfd I might not have been able to get back in. And lastly the weather. You can wear a raincoat but you can’t do much against the wind. I was on my small boat about three years didn’t check the wind speeds and was getting t boned by 25 mph winds. It’s like your boat getting tackled by Ray Lewis
We lost our oldest son at Christmas so this last winter blew chunks. First time out in the yak this Spring was a freezing rain and I didn't have a coat on. I'm freezing and go to get off the lake and tossed my paddle on shore. As I stood to get up I slipped back into my seat and it caused my yak to launch off the shore. There I was crying from grief, freezing, floating off in the wind without my paddle. Any stressors bring back the grief so you might be able to imagine how I felt at that moment. I now bring an extra paddle. PS...my daughter was with me and rescued me by bringing me the paddle. Hypothermia is very real and it took me an hour to finally warm up.
Hey Boss, I'm so sorry to hear that you lost your oldest this past Christmas. My colleague recently lost her son and I have been close to her grief. Prayers are with you.
Sorry for your loss. Your paddle should be tethered to your Yak for multiple reasons, it could slip off as your fighting a fish. Secure it to the vessel.
Sorry for your loss. Good thing your daughter was there. It's uncomfortable and you wouldn't want to do it very long. But on most sit in top kayaks you can lay down and paddle them like surf boards.
Had my first real trip last week. Got to try out my homemade kayak cart/create and the motor mount I built for my Lifetime. It went well (for the most part) but I deff have a ton to learn. I didn’t flip though so I’m callin that a major win.
I had my first kayak flip the other day. It was only 7 feet of water but i learned how to flip it over and get back in. I was lucky that day. The weather was 79* and the water was 72*. It was a beautiful day for a swim :) did have my pfd on which was helpful.
I used keep a collapsible single blade paddle in my hatch. After having occassion to use it i switched to a kayak paddle as the backup. I also keep a change of clothes in a big ziplock bag stuffed in a dry bag, toilet paper, fire starting supplies, and a spare knife in dry bags in the hatch. Some of those items I have had to use and some not but it doesn’t hurt tobhave them there. People laugh about the fire starting supplies but I have come close a couple of times to having to spend an unplanned night in the woods. So far I have dodged it every time, but sooner or later it will happen and I'd rather be prepared.
Bring food and drink too. My first time down the river by myself I didn't bring either. Also have the wright type of shoe's for if you need to drag your kayak over a shallow area.
I wrap a tether around my paddle shaft and secure it to the side handle of the kayak. Everyone secures their gear. Well, how about your power? And completely agree with a spare paddle. Even a single sided shorty is better than your hands in an emergency.
Lol, about 50 hrs so far in my kayak, very green.... and I have done just about everything you spoke out against 😂.... The Learning curve is steep AF! As always, awesome stuff! Tight lines🎣
@Wendell Fishing I do...., little frustrating. Haven't been catching the fish yet, I'm sure several factors are responsible, but I am way too addicted, and committed to stop lol.....
Went out for the second time on my kayak last weekend and while it went pretty well (I didn't catch any fish) my rudder malfunctioned and I had to paddle over to shore to fix it. Always make sure you have tools, atleast a multitool, for these types of situations.
I lost my Ketch board after taking my first fish with a Ketch board. Tether was cheap and I had to unhook it , went in the water doing selfie. Weather: I had my wife on the bank yelling on the phone at me to get off the lake. I had to paddle hard , got the yak on the roof of the car just before the high winds and down pour. Happened twice on the same lake. Wife follows the weather apps. Ohio weather!
One good topic for beginners is what to do with snapping turtles. The first year out I ran into one the size of a huge beachball and he would tread water right next to me staring at me. I moved, he followed. I blasted him with my paddle. It submerged and came backup out of paddle range. Then it would go after my fish basket. On a boat it's no big deal. On a yak? It does concern me, haha. I know, I'm a newbie.
Great stuff for newbies. Especially adding things slowly. Gotta practice dumping out and getting back in. On another note, please tell me you're not going Alex Rudd with that beard? Must be some midlife crisis thing. LoL. Thanks D-man.
I have been appreciating your videos to assist me in becoming a newbie in my new kayak. Real close to the first time. Fished forever in my bass boats, and have never side casted on purpose. Since I will need to start that on my fishing kayak (Perception Outback 11.5), Would you do a video on the details of your side casting and then into skipping? I don't see a problem side casting something like a crankbait or some other terminal lure, but what about something such as a drop shot or Carolina rig where it is hanging down? Is there any magic or do it just the same? Thank you!
Hahaha you must be watching me lol. I wore shorts but every thing else dry clothes. Long sleeve mask hat. And my legs are burnet the ring of fire 🔥 😂😂😂. I won’t do that again. I forgot the sun is a different beast on the water 😂. And salt water does a lot to your body. I’ll be taking more water. I took four bottles and that wasn’t enough 😂.
This is why you run cheap gear. who spends five hundo on a rod and reel? haha i rock them old $3 zebco's and out fish most... but with all respect, don't tip that yak and you won't worry about losin the bank!
