Started out as a white water rafter kayaker. Alway wore a life jacket with whistle and knife arrached. I use electricians tape and gauze for first aid kit.
So True! In my younger days (before you were born) I worked for a research center on the Chesapeake Bay. Basically I was in a swamp area, and every day took a jon boat to my research shed. I always carried a PFD, on the seat. One day I hit some sudden waves. I thought, "If I fall into the cold, cold water, I don't want to have to figure out 'where's that life jacket?'" After that I've ALWAYS worn a PFD while in a boat or kayak. And I have flipped a few times. I have that same NRS Chinook Bearded Dad spoke of, and it works! I'm a big (that is, fat) guy and it pulls me right up to the top. I also carry a SPOT emergency beacon, though now my iPhone can also signal for emergency help.
Since I hot my kayak 2 years ago, I have kept one of my dive knives on me...everyone I paddle with or around always looks at it and me weird, and comment about why a cutting utensil may be needed on the water. Absolutely agree with all of these!!
The people who have drowned would beg all of you to wear it. The living have to speak for the dead on subjects like this. Great video and keep up the tips!
So far your videos have been great. One thing you might or should have is a paddle if you have some type of drive on your kayak. It’s a pretty bad feeling when your prop breaks and your stuck on the water. Two things you should always use is a pfd and common sense.
Thanks Tom! Absolutely agree! I have a $20 Walmart paddle and it does it’s job for me. It’s only there if I’m in a pinch and occasionally to launch/beach myself.
Yes it definitely can get hot but, I heard a saying years ago "safety isn't always comfortable, but it's comforting" and it stuck with me. But there's options to fix that, like the inflatable PFDs.
Do you kayak fish later into the fall in older water? Do you have a dry suit? I’ve been avoiding it for the last few years because I didn’t have a dry suit and watching all the safety vids kinda scared me straight. But I just found a great deal for a Kolkata semi dry suit for $580, marked down from $850 because it was an unpopular color. Hopefully this keeps me out on the water as long as there’s no ice and also getting an earlier start in spring.
I fish fall until November typically in PA. I don’t enjoy cold hands so once the daytime high drops below 40, I wrap it up. I’ve heard great things about those dry suits though and they are definitely life savers.
@@BeardedDadFishing I usually fish leaser lake but once in awhile I hit nockamixon. Hoping the drysuit will help get me out on the water into December and then early spring when the water is still pretty cold but the other conditions are mild 🤞
Great video. I fish saltwater a lot, and I carry everything in the video, plus some other items: a manual bilge pump, a rescue step, an air horn, a floating vhf radio, and I wear a farmer John style wetsuit and NRS booties. I see a lot of guys who go out in jeans and tall rubber boots. You’re going to have trouble gettting back on your kayak when you’re waterlogged. We could talk all day about safety gear. It’s not worth going fishing if you don’t make it home to your family at the end of the day.
Absolutely. Safety is priority number one. Fishing is number two. Safety is the last thing to skimp on when your life depends on it. You sound like you're set bro 👍🏼
Great video! I just started following you today so I am doing catch up. I always carry a rescue knife, Great call out. Learned that on big boats. One question, do you recommend PFD's that have the neck brace? I do not go on the water without one. Just incase you are unconscious from a hit or medical emergency.
Thanks for watching Ken! Generally I don’t recommend those PFDs as they are not practical or comfortable. But I see the merit in having one, especially in big water or off shore.
Your on point. Just a note. They Yakatack Light you can buy separately, so if you have a power pole micro spike the top has a female thread 1/4-20 and you can mount the light on the pole. I mount my light on the spike, for my daughters yak she has the one you show on camera. Have a great day bro.
I just joined the FB group. I also have a RU-vid channel I just started. It's been difficult to make videos with the limited equipment I have, but I'm just starting out 😊. You have inspired me to start my own kayak fishing channel. I wanted to thank you so much. I love your content and it's always been helpful to me and continues to be.
Hey Ed! Thanks for sharing that brother! Glad I can help push you along! Get after it and don’t give up. It’s a ton of fun and meeting new people in the community is the best part!
