Be safe out there.

Last weekend I was fishing one of my favorite lakes, that's just under 400 acres in size. They allow outboard powered boats & paddle craft, but no jet skis, swimming, or water skiing on that body of water, which suits me fine. I fish from a kayak most of the time because I enjoy the exercise, getting close to the water, and the satisfaction of pulling crankbaits under my own power. Normally, I wear a light tan floppy hat to keep the sun off my head, a neck gaiter, and fingerless gloves, to go with a long sleeved white shirt under a green PFD. My kayak is woodland camo because I also use it to access hard to get to places to turkey hunt & a bright boat isn't the best idea for that situation.

Last Saturday was foggy and not an extremely bright day early on. I was paddling my kayak parallel to the bank, pulling crankbaits over some 30+ foot deep water about 20 feet off the bank, when I heard a bass boat running down the lake towards me, fast. The fact that I'm constantly moving, I put out a wake, and my arms and paddle are almost always in constant motion, I'm not terribly worried about not being seen. Well, the guy in that bass boat kept getting closer, wasn't backing off the throttle, and his course was straight at me. All I can figure is that he was looking down at the depthfinder and not where he was going. I swept the paddle straight up in the air and started waving it back & forth as he approached me up on plane. He swerved out towards the channel about 60 yards from me and got out of the throttle. I had a pretty high pucker factor going on up until then, but was extremely relieved that he saw me in time. I wasn't to the point of seeing my life flash before my eyes yet, but I dang sure considered it. He circled out over the channel and pulled up beside me, then told me I was lucky he saw me & that I needed to be wearing brighter clothes. I told him that it is usually not a problem for others to see me, since I'm in constant motion. Plus, the others don't tend run wide open up close to the bank through fog, like he was. We both agreed to change our ways and went back to what each was doing. It took me a while to quit shaking.

The first thing I did when I got home was order a blaze orange boonie hat with a reflective band around it that can be seen from all angles. I'm also going to the kayak shop tomorrow to find a safety flag/light for the boat. I never feared for my life before when I was crappie fishing, but I guess there's a first for everything. Be safe out there Y'all.

Jim

That’s a bit too close for comfort. Glad the end result was good.

I keep a Fox40 whistle (very loud) attached to the shoulder of my pfd. More so for blowing if I am hurt, but also works in other situations too. I've been meaning to get a YakAttack VisaCarbon light and flag too. I have seen others use them and they work well.

bfish, that Yak Attack VisiCarbon Pro flag/light combo is exactly what I planned to get. My local kayak store is out of stock at the moment. The store in Raleigh has them, so next time I go that way I'll pick one up.

I keep a whistle on a lanyard clipped in my PFD pocket, but that guy was moving so fast and his motor was loud enough that I doubt he would have heard any whistle. I was paddling closer to the bank as he was coming on, but he was hauling @-- and I didn't have a lot of time to do much except wave the paddle.

Jim

most bicycle shops will have a flag..wife has one on her bike

Check out different colored flags for different times of the year and what will be in your back drop. Yellow or orange won't do very good when a hickory or oak is behind you right now. During hunting seasons some states are checking out a blaze green or blaze purple instead of blaze orange. Looking at all on ebay I see an amercian flag 12X18" is about the same price as others. Kinda hard to miss that.

Some people just can't see .I couldn't see 100 yards until I had my cataract surgery. maybe a fog horn would help.

If you want to get technical. Your required to have a whistle and something like the visicarbon pro on your yak here in TX. I am certain its the same elsewhere. It will benefit you more than anyone. People get all wrapped up in what they are doing and don't pay attention. Be safe out there!!!

Glad your okay. Sometimes it can get a bit tricky out there no matter how many precautions we take.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bayoubob

If you want to get technical. Your required to have a whistle and something like the visicarbon pro on your yak here in TX. I am certain its the same elsewhere. It will benefit you more than anyone. People get all wrapped up in what they are doing and don't pay attention. Be safe out there!!!

---

Wonder if I bring my yak to TX if they honor my state's rules or I have to go by TX rules?

Thanks for the post. you reminded me I've been wanting to get one of those small pocket air horns. I don't want to have to use my 9mm LOL

One thing I did is add lime green pool noodle pieces to each end of my paddle.I slide them down to my drip guards then zip tie them snugly around the handle.Ive accomplished two things by doing this,my paddle now floats,and the pool noodles show up like a neon light .

I would think that it will be by Texas rules most likely. Just like the helmet law on motorcycles. some have them some don't, but if your in a state that has it and your not wearing . Your gonna get to make a donation into the Dudley do right retirement plan if ya know what I mean.

You differently have to abide by each states rules just as you have to have their license to fish. South Carolina also requires a whistle and life jacket for each kayak. The life jacket doesn't have to be worn but I along with most others I fish around does have them on at all times.

For a 400 ac lake I'm really surprised they don't have a 9.9 HP restriction, they are not giving others with small crafts lives much care. All the smaller lakes I fish have at least a 9.9 hp or less and a 15 hp on pontoons. Flags on most lakes does help but as y'all know a bass boat going 50+ mph are not looking for small crafts so we all have to be on watch while on our waters. Stay safe out there everyone.

My two favorite lakes are each less than 400 acres in size and neither has a horsepower rating. Neither lake allows jet skis, water skiing, or swimming, but almost anything else goes. I normally don't fear for my life, but that foggy morning was definitely an attention getter.

I wear a life vest every time I get in the kayak. Even though a life vest is a requirement, it is crazy not to wear one. The bright colored pool noodle on the paddle shaft is a great idea. Thanks for the suggestion. I have also added a blaze orange & neon yellow boonie hat with a reflective band for added visibility. Hopefully being seen won't be an issue. Having the other boaters pay attention will be the challenge. I also got a mini boater's signal horn. It may not be much, but it may also be just enough to save my life.

Jim

When I'm fishing or paddling my canoe on waters that there is motor boats, I have a fluorescent-orange ball cap that I wear, along with my PFD. I swear I don't know how it is that bright without batteries, but I've actually had bass boats come from down lake to check out what it was having that color. I also have a 5' fiberglass rod w/flag, like the ones used by bicyclists, inserted in the stern. I believe the first step to my safety is my own and if I can be spotted a mile down the lake that is fine with me.

Stumbled across this in my quest for a kayak. Thought it was worth bumping

Sent from my E6810 using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

Shoot! I'm glad he saw you too. That wouldn't have been pretty. Be safe out there y'all!