Kayaks are becoming one of the most popular ways to get out on the water and catch fish. They are easier to manuever than a canoe, and can have a ton of different accessories put on them to make them the perfect for fishing. You do not need to shell out tens of thousands of dollars anymore just to get out on the lake. You do not even need to paddle them yourself now since people are putting trolling motors on them for speed.
Do fishing kayaks flip over easy? Typically, no, fishing kayaks do not tip over very easy. These kayaks are designed to be flat bottom, and bigger than normal kayaks to make them less likely to tip over in the water. While they are very safe, and harder to flip over than a canoe, they can flip over, so it is important that you are safe, and do not fool around out on the water.
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5 Tips To Keep From Tipping Your Kayak
We are going to give you five tips to help ensure that you do not tip over in your kayak when out fishing. These are the five most important things you can do to keep that kayak upright in the water.
1. Wear a life vest: Always wear a life vest when you are on a boat or in a kayak.
2. Do not overload your kayak: Never pack more gear than your kayak can handle, it will make it top-heavy and could flip easily.
3. Stay out of heavy boat traffic areas: Do not kayak where there are a lot of boats making big wakes. The wake can tip your boat over if you are not careful.
4. Do not drink and boat: Be responsible and do not drink and boat. It can disorient you and you could tip your kayak over.
5. Learn to paddle properly: Before you go fishing, take your kayak out and learn how to paddle it with confidence. This will keep you from having to struggle and possibly tipping your kayak over.
What Happens If I Flip
Even if you follow our five steps, there may be a time when you cannot avoid it, and your kayak will tip over. The first thing you will have to understand is that you are going to get wet (of course). After your body gets out of the shock of getting completely submerged in water, you want to stay calm. Hopefully, you are wearing a life jacket, so you will be floating, but if you are not, try to grab onto the kayak that is flipped upside down.
Make your way to the end of the kayak and try to flip it back over. If it is too heavy because of the gear, try to pull it while you swim over to shore where you can stand. Kayaks were not intended to take out into the middle of a busy lake, so hopefully, a shallow spot is only a few yards away. after you get your kayak flipped over, you will need to gather your gear and let it sit out in the sun to dry.
How To Save Your Gear If You Flip
If you have a lot of fishing gear, it is a great idea to keep it secured to your kayak, just in case it does tip over. This way, you will not be trying to dive to the bottom of the lake for all of your expensive gear. While some kayaks come with ties and cubby compartments to keep your stuff, it is a good idea for you to use bungee cords or any type of nylon rope to tie your gear to the kayak. You can also buy mesh netting that can snap to some kayaks so your gear stays in place. Kayaks do flip, especially if you are new to one, so remember to strap your gear in so that you do not lose anything.
Is Kayak Fishing Dangerous?
Kayak fishing is normally very safe, as long as you follow the rules of the lake and are safe when you go out in it. If there are a lot of boats on the lake, do not try and take your kayak out to where motorboats are, as they cannot always see you, and could cause an accident. Try not to fish near any swimmers or cast close to them that way you will not hook anyone. We HIGHLY suggest that you always wear a life jacket when taking your kayak out. Even if you are a great swimmer, having your kayak flip, trying to keep your gear from going to the bottom, and also trying to stay floating is too much for anyone to handle at one time. Save yourself some money and buy the life jacket, and WEAR IT!
This Must Have Item That Will Keep You Alive
We have been talking about it a lot, and of course, you guessed it… A life jacket is the most important thing you can own that will save your life. No matter whether you are a perfect swimmer, or just going out for a quick few casts, wearing a life jacket is a must have at all times. If your kayak flips, you get into some sort of accident, or your kayak sinks, you will be able to float back to shore. Life jackets have saved more lives than we can even think of, so it is important to pack yours always. Life jackets can last for many years as long as they are taken care of, but if you see the straps or material wearing out, it’s time to replace it.
Is it Safe To Wear A Camera In A Kayak?
Now that YouTube is a global sensation, everyone is strapping cameras, and go pros to their body whenever they do anything, so should kayak fishing be different? Nope, there are a ton of videos of kayak anglers on the internet showing of their skills, and it is extremely popular.
They make special harnesses for go pros that will mount to your chest area, and they also have mounts that strap to your head, hat and even to your kayak if you want. I would suggest you get a waterproof camera or waterproof case for your go pro. Having a camera is completely safe to wear, and will be a lot of fun to show people, or the internet if you land a huge fish!
Final Thoughts
Kayak fishing is exploding, and there are tons of them out there now, especially on smaller lakes and ponds. They are being made wider and with a more flat bottom so you can haul more gear and add things like a trolling motor and battery without the worry of it flipping over as smaller kayaks do so easily.
They are also making tons of accessories like rod holders, mesh netting for hauling more gear securely, and even cubbies where you can store fish and batteries. It is, however, extremely important that you wear a life vest anytime you take it out, it will mean the difference between getting wet, or having a more serious problem. Shop around, or go rent one before you make a big purchase like this, and most importantly, have fun.
Related Topics
Can You Kayak Fish In A River?
Can you kayak fish in a river? You can definitely kayak in a river, as long as there are no major rapids that you will have to go down. Stay close to the shoreline and make sure you watch out for rocks and other obstacles before you go out. If the water is moving too fast, find a slower moving part of the river to travel down.
Is A Kayak Easier To Flip Than A Canoe?
Is a kayak easier to flip than a canoe? No, canoe’s can flip over much easier than a kayak will because the kayak is built with a flat bottom. Fishing kayaks are made wider and flatter on the bottom to give you more stability when you are trying to cast, or reel in a fish. Canoe’s are not meant to carry around a lot of fishing gear and tend to have a narrower bottom on them to cut through the water.