Written by The Lost Anchovy
Introduction
So you decided to take a leap in to the Big Blue Huh? Take time to read this article to stay safe and have an enjoyable and safe trip.
Kenny: “Hey Keith You ready to go!??”
TLA: “hmmm…bro you have a massive hole in your kayak that is taking on water. Your yak is half filled with water and we haven’t left yet. You only have one paddle and why are you wearing shorts? That Sea Lion over there is dead from freezing over!”
Kenny: “hmmm… keith, i’m sure he got killed by a GWS! Its ok! I’m with the Lost Anchovy!”
TLA:“Enough with your back talk, I can’t save stupid bro! If that sea lion didn’t survive your chances are pretty slim. Let’s call it a day, and get you situated right!
Here are ten tips to keep you safe when out in the BIG BLUE!
Tip #1 Bring a VHF Marine Radio
Having a functional working hand radio is one of the most important safety equipment on the kayak outside of the Life vest. The radio is the Kayak Anglers only safety communication line on the big blue, and having a functional one is a MUST.
Tip #2 Emergency Back Up Plan
Let your family/ close friends know your general fishing location and what time you expect to be back. There are many unknowns when fishing in the big blue, but having a solid plan will provide you the extra insurance in case things may go south.
You got to be the captain of your own destiny or get hijacked by a Somalian pirate.
Tip # 3 Safety Kit and Equipment
Here is a list of safety items that I recommend carrying inside a drag bag or on your persons:
- Charged VHF Radio
- Whistle
- Compass
- Bilge pump
- Band-Aid
- Knife
- Pliers
- Gloves
Tip #4 Always wear a LIFE VEST
Wearing a PFD or Personal Flotation Device is a MUST HAVE at all times. I know it can be VERY tempting to leave the PFD in the back of the Kayak when conditions are like a lake, however, A LIFE VEST is just that — “A LIFE VEST”. It is meant to save your life. It can not save your life if you are not wearing it.
I’ll let Dam Son tell you like it is.
Tip #5 Have a GPS
Conditions in the ocean change extremely fast as any experienced angler will attest to. BE READY!
Having a GPS(Handheld or on FF), or at a minimum, a compass will allow you to keep your bearings in case conditions erode quickly or FOG rolls in unexpectedly. This is a very real situation, and a potentially treacherous scenario for any ocean angular. Through the years i’ve had many fish finders.
So far the chirp hook 4 has served me well. It has a GPS, color screen and drains low battery. It generally gets the job done for a fraction of the price. NOTE: Make sure to use dielectric grease in the connections and seal the SD card slot!! (Lowrance should fix these two issues)
There has been numerous occasions’, weather fishing for RockFish off Big Sur or Salmon fishing off the North Coast, when the FOG rolled in unexpectedly, and without a working GPS it would have been a very serious situation. Don’t be caught unprepared!
Tip #6 Fish with Friends
The old saying, “safety in numbers”, rings true today, as the day it was first coined, However, let me clarify what a good fishing partner is vs. just a hook up.
The Hook Up
- The person has no obligation to you. (They catch their limit and go! Adios Amigos)
- They may or may not be knowledge about safety.
- They maybe unreliable or simply not show up.
Don’t get me wrong. Having a hook up is better than fishing in the big blue alone; however, having a reliable fishing partner is always preferable.
Good fishing partners, at a minimum, have these qualities:
- Knowledgeable of safety
- Be ready to assist in any situation that may come up.
- Have all the necessary safety equipment.
- MUST be someone you are willing to trust with your life. (They are your life line in the big blue as you are theirs)
- Someone that you depend on. (They show up when scheduled and stay to the end)
Tip # 7 Dress for immersion
I think one of the major mistakes that new anglers make is underestimating mother nature. I believe it is better to be over cautious then to be caught under prepared.
An ocean angular should ALWAYS take into account the water temperature and conditions before setting out for the day. The temperature on top of the water is very different from the water temperature so dress accordingly.
Dressing for immersion means dressing for falling in. Shorts and T-shirt can be potentially dangerous in 50 degree water temperature.
Luckily there are many options available such as:
- Wet Suits (Farmer Johns)
- Semi-wet suits
- Dry Suits
- Dry Tops
- Dry Pants
Dress to stay safe!
Tip # 8 Always wear sun screen and protective gear
Protecting your body is probably one of the most over looked aspects when fishing.
The Salmon are biting. It is early and the clouds are blocking the sun. Screw the sun screen! Hmmm…No.
UVB rays will cook you like a lobster, and are the ones you don’t see. UVB rays get magnified and are reflected off the water, and guess what they are cooking! — Yep YOU!
Sensitive Areas to protect
- Back of the Neck!
- Face
- Arms and Legs
Wear eye protection (sun glasses), because harmful bight lights are also very dangerous to your retina over time. Polarized sunglasses are great for cutting glare on the water and protecting the eyes.
I would recommend buying floating sunglasses or at a minimum have sunglass straps. I have donated many sun glasses to the ocean, and saved my self a pretty penny by investing in some cheap floating glasses.
Finally, buying a protective mask like this is also very popular in the kayak fishing community, and plus it makes you look kinda cool. =P
Protective Face Mask 
Kinda cool too!? Maybe
Tip #9 Stay current with Weather and Swells Forecast.
Staying current with the weather and swells forecast is essential to staying safe. There have been numerous times where I have had to abandon a fishing trip because of poor conditions. Stay safe and stay alive to fish another day.
I generally will not fish if winds push to double digits or swells get above 6 ft.
The good news is fish generally don’t like to bite in bad conditions either. It’s a win-win situation. I get to keep my life and the fish get to keep theirs.
Tip #10 Understand the Tides!
This final tip can be equally applied to the Bay or the ocean. Fishing during big tidal swings such as King Tides can potentially be very risky. Combine fast moving water with high winds and that is recipe for a disaster.
Keep in mind areas where receding tides will leave large mud flats, like in San Pablo Bay. Getting back during a negative tide will leave you pushing your kayak through the mud, also known locally as the MUD WALK OF SHAME. It is pretty unsafe, and very SHAMEFUL. So know your tides!
Conclusion
TLA: “ok Kenny it looks like we finally got you all sorted out. You read this article and got all the info?”
Kenny: “YEP thanks TLA. I threw away the string cans and got this nifty new marine VHF, and all the safety gear.”
TLA: “Sound good. You ready to crash through this surf and get on the fish!!?”
Kenny: “YEP!! I got one question tho… I read your article about getting crucified on the surf line. Is that like a right of passage or something?”
TLA: “Yes Kenny, If you don’t know how to properly surf launch you will be baptized on the surf line like I was when I was a young anchovy, or worst, get crucified like this guy. ”
Kenny: “hmm…ok” (Kenny with a worried face)
Tight Lines – The Lost Anchovy