[ELIASV]

So, I had a $200 gift certificate from Target, and decided to purchase a Pelican Castaway fishing kayak. Normally I would shop around but this seemed to be the most reasonable and good reviewed kayak a gift certificate can buy. It is a sit on top, what specific gear should I have, I do have an inflatable boat and have some Bass Pro life vests, should I get something more heavy duty or those should be fine? I don't really plan to take it out of the back bays at all and only in warm water, since I am a fully loaded surf fisherman. It has rod holders etc and comes with a roof rack, the only thing I would think is maybe getting an upgraded life vest? Or these fancy looking ones are more for show?

The other thing...I see kayak stabilizers. Since it would be my first yak, I would first go out without gear and get comfortable, and if I am comfortable enough jump in the drink. But I see these as basically a "flip proof" item. Anyone have, or does anyone want to sell? These seem like good training wheels.

 

[rpsurf5]

ELIASV wrote:
So, I had a $200 gift certificate from Target, and decided to purchase a Pelican Castaway fishing kayak. Normally I would shop around but this seemed to be the most reasonable and good reviewed kayak a gift certificate can buy. It is a sit on top, what specific gear should I have, I do have an inflatable boat and have some Bass Pro life vests, should I get something more heavy duty or those should be fine? I don't really plan to take it out of the back bays at all and only in warm water, since I am a fully loaded surf fisherman. It has rod holders etc and comes with a roof rack, the only thing I would think is maybe getting an upgraded life vest? Or these fancy looking ones are more for show?

The other thing...I see kayak stabilizers. Since it would be my first yak, I would first go out without gear and get comfortable, and if I am comfortable enough jump in the drink. But I see these as basically a "flip proof" item. Anyone have, or does anyone want to sell? These seem like good training wheels.

Congrats and good luck, once you start catching fish on the yak you will be hooked !

Typically PFD's are made specifically for the kayak so when you are sitting you are comfortable, so a PFD not made specifically for yaks could be uncomfortable. Do a google search and see what you come up with. I have an extrasport which I like, www.extrasport.com.

Remember safety first , dont rush to get on the water until you are fully prepared. This forum has alot of good safety advice. Also at this time of the year be careful of t-storms, last thing you want to have happen is be on the water when a boomer blows in.

And of course ,feel free to check out our club, you will learn alot very quickly and make alot of new friends !

This post edited by rpsurf5 08:04 PM 06/20/2008

 

[ELIASV]

Right even if says "chance" of Tstorms play it safe and stay inside, I'm usually an early AM guy so that's less likely. They are comfortable for rowing and I usually wear those life vests, but I'll see. Thanks.

 

[KayakerStan]

ELIASV, welcome to the kayak fishing community!!!

For now you can get by with the PFD's you already have, you will eventually want to get a PFD made for kayakers. I like the Stohlquist Fisherman PFD and the Patagonia Hightwater Vest looks real nice.

Stay away from kayak stabilizers; it will only slow the kayak down a lot. They are really nice to use while sight fishing the flats. What you should be doing right now would be to learn self rescue. I posted this video a while back on how to do so, here's the link:

Practice it a lot now and you will feel comfortable paddling around later.

Things needed: whistle, small signal mirror, compass and a knife attached to your PFD. A dry bag is always nice to have.

You should invest some money and buy yourself a handheld waterproof/submersible VHF radio in case something were to happen on the water.

The list can go on and on so that's it for now.

Catch plenty of fish, have lots of fun and always think safety first.

This post edited by KayakerStan 10:17 PM 06/20/2008

 

[rac37]

kayaking is addicting

fixed up for you kayakerstan

self rescue video also check this one outwader video

 

[ELIASV]

Seems good guys, wheres the best spot to keep cell phone + camera, I'm not too sure if I trust the dry hatch, do you guys keep it somewhere even safer?

Since I do not have the yak yet, how do you usually fall, does the kayak make a complete flip and I have to flip it back right side or it just tips and I go with it?

It seems like SOT is much easier to get back into.

 

[xjutx]

i picked up a small dry box at walmart.. it was like 4 bux and fits my wallet, keys and cellphone plus alil more room to put something else in.... its by all the camping/hiking stuff.. can't beat it for the price.

 

[mcswigs]

elias from marine park?

if you are the elias from marine park, i read your posts often. i kayak from your area all the time. if [email protected]

 

[KayakerStan]

rac37, I thank you for putting up the link!!!

wrote:
wheres the best spot to keep cell phone + camera

ELIASV, I like using a dry bag they are the best. You could also use a dry box like an Otter Box but I would also put the phone or camera in a zip lock bag as I don't trust the dry boxes if the kayak were to flip in the surf zone as much as trust the dry bags.

wrote:
how do you usually fall, does the kayak make a complete flip and I have to flip it back right side or it just tips and I go with it?

Sometimes it could be a big wake that you don't know is coming and it knocks you off balance and into the water. It could also be you leaned too far over the side of the kayak. When it does happen chances are you won't know it's coming until it's too late. That's why learning self rescue is sooooo important.

wrote:
It seems like SOT is much easier to get back into.

Let me say that a lot of SOT kayakers believe that is true yet when they do flip they have no idea of how to get back onto the kayak and the situation can become vvery bad if there's nobody around to help you. There's plenty of stories on the KFS site about those that had thought it was easy to get back onto the kayak and couldn't. Luckily most of them were with another kayaker that towed them back to shore. They also thought it was easy to get back on and learned the hard way that it's not if you don't know how to. That's why I posted my video and ask everyone to practice and practice it a lot. Looks easy but if you don't practice and you flip and panic you're in trouble.

Catch plenty of fish, have lots of fun and always think safety first.

This post edited by KayakerStan 10:25 AM 06/21/2008

 

[bassknuckles]

here is a list of equipment this safety check is over but the checklist is good. Hope it helps.

 

[Hooper]

Best place to keep a cell phone is in a dry bag intended for that purpose and keep it on your person. You can take a chance and use a zip lock bag or two in a pinch. If the phone is in a hatch on the boat and you get separated you have a real problem. An empty sit on top will drift very quickly in the wind especially if it's sittin' upright. Much faster than you can ever swim.

As long as you don't have a flip phone you can dial and talk right thru the bag. If you have an older phone with no service it still should be able to dial 911. Just need to be sure the battery will hold a charge.

A VHF radio is a much better choice when it comes to emergency communication on the water but that's a whole different subject.

Hooper

 

[pogytime]

As for carrying keys and cell phones.
I use ziplocks and my new fishing PFD vest has great pockets to hold those most valuable positions on the water.

practice self rescue in the shallows. I do it every year at least once . Its fun to do when playing with the kids.

PT