Daryl wrote:
Bought a kayak (Hobie Outback with a mirage drive thanks Jerry)
What style/make PFD's and paddle gear does everybody suggest.
For the summer time I assume I'll be mostly sticking with the UV protective shirt and shorts. And any pair of shoes I feel like getting wet. And of course a lot of safety equip.
I also have two 3/2 wetsuit's a full and short.
Will these get any use? or should I be looking at dry suits or some breathable waterproof sailing gear. I hope to be using my new kayak as much as possible so any suggestion for gear would be great.
Thanks
There are a bunch of threads on dry suit / wet suit debate , do a search on this forum. My preference is a dry suit. When water gets colder, protection from cold is a must. If you take an unexpected fall into water in cold water, if you are not protected properly the results can be fatal. Also , keep in mind in spring , especially April and May the air can be warm but the water can still be dangerously cold.
Make sure you buy a PFD that is made specifically for the yak. The place that sold you the yak probably has PFDS also.
Get some foot wear that is made for kayaking or water, regular footwear wont cut it as there is water in your yak where you pedal and also when you get in an out of yak you will most likely be stepping in the water.
Also , practice self-rescue before you start taking trips. With the water temps like they are , this is the perfect time to practice.
Make sure you are fully prepared before you hit the water, every year there are fatalities on the water. Kayak fishing is safe when done right , but make sure you are ready for it.
You might also consider joining the Kayak Fishing Association of New York. You will learn alot quickly and make some new fishing friends. We have monthly fishing trips from May to October and monthly meetings the rest of the year where we have seminars, demos , etc. In fact this past winter we did a seminar on cold water yakking where we talked about protective gear.
This post edited by rpsurf5 08:13 AM 08/17/2008
Bought a kayak (Hobie Outback with a mirage drive thanks Jerry)
What style/make PFD's and paddle gear does everybody suggest.
For the summer time I assume I'll be mostly sticking with the UV protective shirt and shorts. And any pair of shoes I feel like getting wet. And of course a lot of safety equip.
I also have two 3/2 wetsuit's a full and short.
Will these get any use? or should I be looking at dry suits or some breathable waterproof sailing gear. I hope to be using my new kayak as much as possible so any suggestion for gear would be great.
Thanks
There are a bunch of threads on dry suit / wet suit debate , do a search on this forum. My preference is a dry suit. When water gets colder, protection from cold is a must. If you take an unexpected fall into water in cold water, if you are not protected properly the results can be fatal. Also , keep in mind in spring , especially April and May the air can be warm but the water can still be dangerously cold.
Make sure you buy a PFD that is made specifically for the yak. The place that sold you the yak probably has PFDS also.
Get some foot wear that is made for kayaking or water, regular footwear wont cut it as there is water in your yak where you pedal and also when you get in an out of yak you will most likely be stepping in the water.
Also , practice self-rescue before you start taking trips. With the water temps like they are , this is the perfect time to practice.
Make sure you are fully prepared before you hit the water, every year there are fatalities on the water. Kayak fishing is safe when done right , but make sure you are ready for it.
You might also consider joining the Kayak Fishing Association of New York. You will learn alot quickly and make some new fishing friends. We have monthly fishing trips from May to October and monthly meetings the rest of the year where we have seminars, demos , etc. In fact this past winter we did a seminar on cold water yakking where we talked about protective gear.
This post edited by rpsurf5 08:13 AM 08/17/2008
