Learn to navigate. It seems like quite obvious advice, but there are many people who venture into this type of practice without having knowledge of what it means to direct a boat at sea. You don’t have to be a great sailor to enjoy this experience, but it is very important to know how to recognize the direction of currents, wind or drift in order to guarantee faster and safer movements. In any case, you should not go out with your sea kayak if the wind blows with a force greater than 14 knots or if waves of more than 1 meter are recorded, as it could be dangerous adventure holidays.
Whenever you go out, inform. It is best to never go out alone (especially if it is your first contact with this type of activity). But if you decide to do so, don’t forget to let someone know about your departure time and the itinerary you plan to follow.
Adapt to each scenario. The success of your catches does not depend solely on your skill as a paddler or fisherman but on your knowledge of the navigation area. Use the lures or baits that are most appropriate for the area in which you fish. This will allow you to attract fish of more attractive sizes, that is, your main objective in the sea.
Choose your anchoring area well. Avoid unnecessary risks by carefully choosing the place where you should stop. To do this, you must use complete anchoring equipment that allows you to measure the depth of the water and firmly fix your boat, preventing it from overturning as a result of waves, currents or a sudden pull from your prey.
Always keep the safety signs in mind. There are several ways to communicate that you are in trouble, from 3 loud, short blasts with your whistle, to raising the oar with both hands simulating that you are carrying a flag (the paddle). When a vessel detects the presence of a rower in a compromised situation, it will emit 5 short beeps to alert you of the problem.
Make sure they see you. One of the key factors of a safe exit is that you are visible at all times. It is no coincidence that kayaks are brightly colored. But you should also include reflective or fluorescent safety elements in your equipment and clothing, especially if you are going to move through areas with a lot of maritime traffic.
Better accompanied. Although a day of fishing alone can be very comforting, when you go kayaking it is always safer to have company. Furthermore, the support of other fishermen is very valuable when it comes to ‘battle’ for a long time with a large prey.
Think about what you want to fish for. If you pursue large prey you will have to adapt your fishing equipment to them. Do a tune-up of your equipment before leaving home: check the brakes on the reels, make sure the hooks are sharp, tighten the knots well and take the most appropriate rods (at least 9 kilos for large fish). .
There is no prey until you reach the shore. Don’t get carried away by the emotion of the moment: fishing is battling the prey and that can take longer than you imagine. Even if the piece is already packed and shipped, until you set foot on solid ground you must remain alert at all times. Large fish can be very strong to the point of putting the safety of your boat at risk. If you take them home to consume, make sure they are dead when you put them in the kayak because any tail swing could cause you to lose stability.
Don’t go out in a hurry. The fun thing about kayak fishing is enjoying the moment and contact with nature. If you are already an experienced fisherman, you will know that these types of activities require a lot of patience. And if you are still getting started on the subject, it won’t take you long to discover that the most attractive thing about kayak fishing is letting the day progress at its own pace while you let yourself be delighted by everything around you.
