Brand new to Kayaking. Advice?
 

Hey guys. Just picked up my first kayak (SOT model)and am planning on trying it out this weekend. I want to feel totally comfortable on it prior to taking it out fishing. Especially in the saltwater. I have a million questions and don't even know where to begin? Safety...rigging....preventing losing gear(if you flip),reentry if you flip..etc. I guess I'm just looking for everyones 2c worth of important advice. Can you guys give me some pointers? Some things like re-entry, I realize, are things I'll have to practice. I'm trying to sponge everything I can read about regarding safety first! Gear I can replace. But I'd like to prevent that ofcourse. Any tips or advice will be greatly appreciated. Thanks guys! Bob

Congrats, welcome to the dark side..:vamp:


put a lanyard on all your gear, rods and esp paddle!

go out on a back pond or very calm shallow waters and flip it, and re-enter. Also, wear your vest and test it out, it should hold your haed above water!
Lots of different ways to rig them...here's mine...
http://www.striped-bass.com/Stripert...ad.php?t=35056

Your life will never be the same Bob. Before I ventured out I practiced a self rescue with PFD on. I wear my PFD on at all times. For an idea on how a self rescue is done you can visit Tom Holteys website and it will show pictures for SOT users.

http://www.sit-on-topkayaking.com/Ar...n/DeepWaterReEntry.html#solo

Bring a single rod out and a few single hook lures. Get use to landing fish because it will be a regular activity. Get use to your kayak. Move around, sit side saddle and enjoy.

I have been to the top in kayak fishing and now I am back at the bottom. I should have never had left the bottom. Remember that. :bo:

Put a lanyard on everything...shows you how new I am...are there special ones I should get? Do people just use like parachute cord or do you need the coiled ones you have in your pictures. I can see where those would be nice to have seeing they are retractable.
Do I need to worry about an anchor system now? Not sure how to rig that?
How about if you flip with your electronics? I know most are waterproof, but are not exactly supposed to be underwater for awhile are they?
How hard is it to right a kayak once your gear is in it and some items dangling off lanyards?

Jeff Lopez, AKA Ridler, was being very modest. He is one of the premier kayak fishermen around, and has been a force in bringing more people into the sport. Check out his website at www.newenglandkayakfishing.com

Enjoy and I'm sure you will find more than enough info there to steepen your learning curve. Good people there.

Not anymore. I gave up everything, thank god for that! :D