Contributed by John Wayne Peacock
Night fishing from your kayak can be both exciting and dangerous. There are a few items that you should have before venturing into the darkness.
First let’s start with people being able to see you. There are a few options to choose from. My personal favorite is the VisiCarbonPro. The flag Will allow you to be seen in the evening time and the 360 light will keep you visible when the sun goes down. Also there are light kits made just for kayaks. One that I see a lot and really like is the Super Nova light kits. These work amazing for being able to see under water and being able to be seen.
I never leave out on a night trip without letting someone know where I will be paddling and how long I will be out. This may seem childish but I kayak inside my local Inlet and it’s important that people know where to find you. Do not overlook this step. Even the most experienced kayakers run into issues on the water.
Safety gear that you must have. First and foremost wear your PFD!!! Let me say that again wear your PFD.
Also have a safety whistle. They are inexpensive and can save your life in a emergency. I also carry a two way radio with me at all times. It allows me to contact the authorities in a worst case scenario.
Last but not least know the waters your going out on. Night fishing or paddling is not a good time to play explorer. I hope you remember the things I have gone over in this article. Safety is the one thing that you can never really overdo.
-John Wayne
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