I see that TP&W requires sidelights for kayaks during low light hours. What kind of lights do ya'll have on your yaks? Pictures if possible please and thanks!


Canoes and Kayaks
See All Vessels section above for general safety requirements.

Paddling at night: Remember that you must carry one bright white light that can be exhibited in time to prevent a collision. It is recommended that you carry a lantern, flashlight, or other attached white light that will be visible from 360 degrees. Regulations state that canoes, kayaks, and all other manually driven vessels shall exhibit sidelights and a sternlight, and shall exhibit at least one bright light, lantern, or flashlight from sunset to sunrise when not at dock.

I use led strips on front and standard removable stern mast and led 360 bulb behind the seat.
I also run a reflective flag to wave in the light, I'm told it's almost like a strobe in a small breeze

Sidelights ARE NOT required by TPWD for kayaks.

As Jim Ford stated, sidelights are not required for non-motorized vessels (e.g., kayak).

Concerning sidelights, see the discussion on http://www.texaskayakfisherman.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=242921

A poster talked to the USCG and part of their response was:
"Vessels may use additional lights so long as those lights cannot be
confused with the navigation lights of a vessel or impair the visibility of
either the kayaker or other vessels."

I watched a Fish N Stuff YouTube video and made a 360 LED light using an auto brake bulb, PVC, and a 12v deer feeder battery. It's bright enough I can tie lures under it at night.

Nice.

Another night time technique is cyalume sticks in the hull. My yak is yellow for day and night visibility and has the advantage to glow at night.
Plus couple sticks attached to your vest to activate if you get separated from your vessel so you can be seen for rescue op.

I use the Yak-Attack Visipole. I have mounts set up on various plastic boats so it can go from boat to boat. It uses (3) AA batteries. I test it before putting it in the pickup. For backup, I carry a cheap LED headlamp. If I am in an area with a lot of boat traffic at night, I will use both.

I also use the Yak-Attack Visipole. Swapped the original led unit with the 4 led unit and much brighter now.
Also wear a waterproof headlamp to make sure I can be seen and as backup in case batteries in visi pol go out
Headlamp is a compliment as helps with lighting if need to see something better in boat or see something outside of you boat.
I will not go out without both.

Geez, that was a painful read!

Not required but a really bright nav light is and is a must.

I have green LED side light strips on my Pro Angler and they have been a pain. Kayaks are slick and it's hard to get anything to adhere to the plastic for any length of time especially when it's getting wet. I finally ended up using Gorilla Super Glue and they have held now for a while. I put them on so when on the water at night, pre-dawn or in foggy conditions they would help with visibility. I've turned them on while on the water once. It's a decent expense that for me is not necessary and not worth it. I won't put them on another kayak again.

Jerry, if you need to glue something to a yak try Marine Goop, it’s the only thing I’ve found that works

Yes sir it's good stuff. I keep a tube of that stuff on hand. But with the strip lights they were only coming off in a few places. In 24" of strip light I would have a 3" portion of the strip light that popped loose and they rest still adhered. So it was hard to get a small amount of Goop in that little area so I went with GG. Over time I ended up using GG over the entire 24" span of strip lights on both sides of the yak. The GG has held for 6 months now but I prefer to use Goop when possible.

I just did the same today on my kayak. $25 led brake light. I’m also powering my depth finder with the battery how long does your battery usually last.

My 12v 9ah battery lasts me all day. I run a Garmin Striker 4, and use the LED only in low light.

Is that car fast?

Na, it’s a boat. Our Lincoln LS with small V8 felt faster. Everyone wants to race it all the time gets annoying. I do wish I would of had a car that fast when I was young though.
P.S. it’s my wife’s I only get to drive it when it needs gas, oil or needs my attention

Thanks for all the great ideas guys!

Although side lights may not be required it does help safety. I also have a 24' cc bay boat I use on lakes and the bay and at night I'm looking for nav lights on other boats and have witnessed several close calls between boats much larger than kayaks. As a kayaker that fishes a lot at night I'm concerned of my visibility.
I use nav lights (red/green) the 360 degree anchor light, fluorescent flag and spotlight. Too many boaters are distracted while operating their boat the same as people in cars maybe more so. Fishing at night can be awesome but could be tragic also. Light it up!

SuperNova Fishing Lights made my old Perceptiion Illusion paddle faster.




All lights on inside of hull.

Very nice.

Awesome!