Remember those Dirty Harry movies from the 1970's starring Clint Eastwood? In his role as Inspector Harry Calahan, Eastwood always seemed to have a catch phrase for every dangerous situation. In addition to putting a fine point on various aspects of law enforcement, Dirty Harry's witticisms also translate well to the subjects of boating safety and kayak fishing. Let's take a closer look at the wisdom embedded in some of his more noteworthy quotations.
"A man's got to know his limitations" (Magnum Force, 1973)
Know the conditions and your abilities before you venture out. Check the weather reports and learn to read changes in the weather when you are on the water. Conditions can sometimes turn ugly with surprising speed. Better still; carry a VHF radio with a NOAA weather alert feature. If you are kayaking unfamiliar waters, be sure to study a map ahead of time and carry one with you. A compass and a handheld GPS would be a helpful added touch, along with the knowledge of how to use them. A better plan for kayaking new water would be to go along with a partner who knows the area well.
Along coastal areas, the tides can make for some fast and difficult currents, particularly at public boat ramps. If the water appears too swift for your comfort zone and abilities, find another place to go kayak fishing. These same tides can turn what was a great spot to catch fish into an expansive mud flat at low tide. The mud may be too deep to safely walk out in search of deeper water. Can you imagine being stuck in the mud and waiting hours for the tide to come back in, as a menacing thunderstorm is bearing down on you with all those fishing-rods-turned-lightning-rods sticking up from your rod holders?
"Do I feel lucky? Well, do ya, punk?" (Dirty Harry, 1971)
Accidents can happen at any time. That's why we call them "accidents" and not "scheduled disasters." Wear your U.S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation device (PFD) at all times. Really. No matter how hot it is outside, wear it. Roughly 80% of boating fatalities occur to individuals who were not wearing a PFD at the time. Rather than wondering if this statistic is accurate, concentrate instead on not becoming a statistic.
Along with your Coast Guard approved PFD, consider the other essential safety gear you should have while on the water. Locations and conditions vary, so attempting to list all the prudent pieces of safety gear one may possibly need would make for more reading than you probably care to do right now. At a bare minimum, never leave home without: your PFD with attached whistle (USCG requirement), first aid kit, cell phone or VHF radio, food & water, appropriate clothing & rain gear, a flashlight (in case you are caught out after dark), and an extra paddle (what if yours breaks?). Get to know other kayak anglers in your area and take a safe boating course. Next to wearing your PFD, taking along an experienced kayak angler may be your best bet at improving your luck. It might even help you catch more fish. One more thing: bring along some sunscreen and insect repellent. These may not be considered as essential safety gear, but many kayakers consider them absolutely essential on any outing.
"Go ahead. Make my day." (Sudden Impact, 1983)
And while you're at it, go ahead and make a float plan, too. The operative word here is plan, though float is pretty important, too, when one considers the alternative. In addition to carefully planning when and where you will launch and fish, make sure you write this information down. Leave a copy of your plan with a family member or friend who is staying on dry land. Leave another copy in your vehicle, along with a description of you and your kayak. Be sure your float plan indicates when you plan to depart and when you expect to return, along with some idea of the areas you intend to paddle and fish.
Now that you have the basic parts of your plan in order, let's focus on the float part. Your Coast Guard approved PFD will help you stay afloat, but what about your kayak if it springs a leak? It may be made of plastic, and plastic may float, but will it float with you and all your fishing gear in it? Probably not. Install some float bags or pool noodles inside your kayak to help boost the chances of recovering both you and the boat if the unexpected leak or swamping occurs. By the way, duct tape makes an excellent emergency patching material for small holes in kayak hulls. Carry some with you. It might make the difference between paddling a kayak and paddling your own personal submarine.
"Well what did you want me to do? Yell 'trick or treat' at them?" (The Enforcer, 1976)
Kayaks are low slung, slow moving craft, which can make them difficult for operators of motorized craft to see. While your designation as a "vessel under oars" may give you the right of way in most situations, that will be of little comfort if the oncoming boat (or ship) cannot see you. Focus instead on keeping out of the way and on being seen.
Achieving both simultaneously is preferred. Keeping out of the way is probably the easiest part. Kayaks are well suited to traveling in shallow water where most powered craft cannot venture. Getting to the skinny water may require you to travel across busy channels or past busy public boat ramps, however. Select a brightly colored kayak, wear high visibility clothing, and even fly a flag from the end of one of your fishing rods to help power boaters see you. Kayaking with a friend or two also makes it easier for other boaters to spot you. If you venture out during periods of darkness, the Coast Guard requires you to at least have a working light available to make others aware of your presence. Most kayakers affix a single white light to a mast for early morning or evening outings.
Clipping a small battery powered camping lantern to a rod guide on a fishing rod would also work. Just make sure it is not the same rod you are using to catch fish at the time.
In the movies, Dirty Harry planned ahead, used his wits, and carried the proper equipment at all times to protect himself in a harsh environment. You should, too. And don't forget to always wear your PFD. It's the .44 magnum in your arsenal of kayak fishing safety equipment.
"A man's got to know his limitations" (Magnum Force, 1973)
Know the conditions and your abilities before you venture out. Check the weather reports and learn to read changes in the weather when you are on the water. Conditions can sometimes turn ugly with surprising speed. Better still; carry a VHF radio with a NOAA weather alert feature. If you are kayaking unfamiliar waters, be sure to study a map ahead of time and carry one with you. A compass and a handheld GPS would be a helpful added touch, along with the knowledge of how to use them. A better plan for kayaking new water would be to go along with a partner who knows the area well.
Along coastal areas, the tides can make for some fast and difficult currents, particularly at public boat ramps. If the water appears too swift for your comfort zone and abilities, find another place to go kayak fishing. These same tides can turn what was a great spot to catch fish into an expansive mud flat at low tide. The mud may be too deep to safely walk out in search of deeper water. Can you imagine being stuck in the mud and waiting hours for the tide to come back in, as a menacing thunderstorm is bearing down on you with all those fishing-rods-turned-lightning-rods sticking up from your rod holders?
"Do I feel lucky? Well, do ya, punk?" (Dirty Harry, 1971)
Accidents can happen at any time. That's why we call them "accidents" and not "scheduled disasters." Wear your U.S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation device (PFD) at all times. Really. No matter how hot it is outside, wear it. Roughly 80% of boating fatalities occur to individuals who were not wearing a PFD at the time. Rather than wondering if this statistic is accurate, concentrate instead on not becoming a statistic.
Along with your Coast Guard approved PFD, consider the other essential safety gear you should have while on the water. Locations and conditions vary, so attempting to list all the prudent pieces of safety gear one may possibly need would make for more reading than you probably care to do right now. At a bare minimum, never leave home without: your PFD with attached whistle (USCG requirement), first aid kit, cell phone or VHF radio, food & water, appropriate clothing & rain gear, a flashlight (in case you are caught out after dark), and an extra paddle (what if yours breaks?). Get to know other kayak anglers in your area and take a safe boating course. Next to wearing your PFD, taking along an experienced kayak angler may be your best bet at improving your luck. It might even help you catch more fish. One more thing: bring along some sunscreen and insect repellent. These may not be considered as essential safety gear, but many kayakers consider them absolutely essential on any outing.
"Go ahead. Make my day." (Sudden Impact, 1983)
And while you're at it, go ahead and make a float plan, too. The operative word here is plan, though float is pretty important, too, when one considers the alternative. In addition to carefully planning when and where you will launch and fish, make sure you write this information down. Leave a copy of your plan with a family member or friend who is staying on dry land. Leave another copy in your vehicle, along with a description of you and your kayak. Be sure your float plan indicates when you plan to depart and when you expect to return, along with some idea of the areas you intend to paddle and fish.
Now that you have the basic parts of your plan in order, let's focus on the float part. Your Coast Guard approved PFD will help you stay afloat, but what about your kayak if it springs a leak? It may be made of plastic, and plastic may float, but will it float with you and all your fishing gear in it? Probably not. Install some float bags or pool noodles inside your kayak to help boost the chances of recovering both you and the boat if the unexpected leak or swamping occurs. By the way, duct tape makes an excellent emergency patching material for small holes in kayak hulls. Carry some with you. It might make the difference between paddling a kayak and paddling your own personal submarine.
"Well what did you want me to do? Yell 'trick or treat' at them?" (The Enforcer, 1976)
Kayaks are low slung, slow moving craft, which can make them difficult for operators of motorized craft to see. While your designation as a "vessel under oars" may give you the right of way in most situations, that will be of little comfort if the oncoming boat (or ship) cannot see you. Focus instead on keeping out of the way and on being seen.
Achieving both simultaneously is preferred. Keeping out of the way is probably the easiest part. Kayaks are well suited to traveling in shallow water where most powered craft cannot venture. Getting to the skinny water may require you to travel across busy channels or past busy public boat ramps, however. Select a brightly colored kayak, wear high visibility clothing, and even fly a flag from the end of one of your fishing rods to help power boaters see you. Kayaking with a friend or two also makes it easier for other boaters to spot you. If you venture out during periods of darkness, the Coast Guard requires you to at least have a working light available to make others aware of your presence. Most kayakers affix a single white light to a mast for early morning or evening outings.
Clipping a small battery powered camping lantern to a rod guide on a fishing rod would also work. Just make sure it is not the same rod you are using to catch fish at the time.
In the movies, Dirty Harry planned ahead, used his wits, and carried the proper equipment at all times to protect himself in a harsh environment. You should, too. And don't forget to always wear your PFD. It's the .44 magnum in your arsenal of kayak fishing safety equipment.
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