I fish mainly rivers, and I made two mods that made my access and trip much more comfortable. I addded a "airhead bungee" between my anchor and boat, and added another to my bow line. This makes a huge difference, if you are ancoring in current or walking 1/2 mile plus upriver.

You will rarely need much more than a brick as an ancor to hold yourself in a kayak. I recommend just using cheap ancors. Bricks, dumbell, ...

xtools are a kayak and braid fishermans dream.

I prefer to make sure everything floats instead of having it teathered. You dump your boat with stuff tied everywhere, and bad things could happen. I understand that you can cut yourself free with a knife, but I woudl just avoid the whole fiasco.

Of 15 years of kayak fishing, I have only accidently turtled 3 times. Two of those I saw coming. Other than BTB launching of course.

Don't ever plan on paddling with a stringer or bait tank in the water.

Drift Socks/Chutes

Come in many shapes, sizes & colors. They can turn an very frustrating day into a successful day of catching. When winds are blowing too fast a drift chute can be deployed to slow you down. This will allowing you to present your baits the way you want. Another way to use this chute is to catch tides or current.

A drift chute is typically tied to a short length of rope or a shock cord between 2 and 6' long then attached to the kayak with a carbiner or clip.

Attach the drift sock to your trolley system or clip it to your pad eyes on one side of your yak. Using some sort of shock absorber is recommended. Attaching the sock to your trolley system will allow you to position the chute anywhere along one side of your kayak for a better drift. Don't forget to add floatation to the clip side of your chute or you WILL LOOSE IT!

You can send the chute to the rear of the yak to point your nose down current or down wind, in the center of the kayak for a perpendicular drift or near the front to put the nose up current or upwind. $20-$55 depending on size, manufacture & material.
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THANKS AGAIN to everyone that is contributing to make this thread work.

Please continue to ask your questions in a new thread. Thanks

More 360* light options:

Re-entering your yak
Of course the idea is not to fall out or "Turtle" as we call it
But, it happens to everyone at least once.
Today's Angler style Kayaks are pretty stable.
It's only happen 2x for me in fresh water
& the second time was in around 12" water (Old Sit In style Yak)
It usually happens when ya lean too far (off to left or right side)
or step out into what you think is shallow water
IMPORTANT to know your yak's limitations. They're all different.




We recommend you practice falling out and re-entering with any new yak at least a few times in a swimming pool or 4-5' shallow water 1st.
ALSO IMPORTANT: Practice with just a paddle, PFD on & your Yak. NO GEAR!
If it happens unexpectedly we hope someone gets a pic or video & post it here.

Hopefully youve rigged right & your gear is FLOATING all around you. If you can't get back in or on, Don't Panic! Simply grab what you can & throw it into the yak. Then, hold on to your kayak & swim/kick it back to the shallows or bank.


There might be a photo of Someone Turtling around here somewhere

This would make a good sticky IMO

Or... You could just get the Casio Commando Smart Phone like me. Its waterproof, and I have tested it many a time.

I use the Dry Pak for my cell phone. My cell is also in a Lifeproof case which is waterproof.

One thing I added to my winter gear was a box of waterproof matches and a firestarter. Being up creeks or across a lake if I take a spill I may need to get out and by a fire quickly. Both items together weight less than 5oz and are in a pocket on my pfd.

I think you may be thinking of Bull Dykes.

BigDozer66

I use a padded Dry Pak and my phone is in a Lifeproof case also!

The Lifeproof is waterproof and I have tested it inadvertantly.


BigDozer66

I like the shock value to people when you wash your phone off under the faucet.

I like the Lifeproof case. I need one of those.

BigDozer66

I have had people tell me that they qren't paying that much for a case ($60 instead of $30) and I say well when you have to pay $400 or $500 for a replacement that extra $30-40 won't seem like much will it!


BigDozer66

FLOATING FISH GRIPS!!!
Normally $13-$17


Why? Because big can bite hard & some fish have mouths full of big teeth especially saltwater fish. Grips help you control the fish with or without a net.
There are several brands out. Some work well a few times then fall apart or fall out and sink
Look for * FLOATING FISH GRIPS *

Why buy the expensive Boga Grips when you can a floating fish grip that weighs less, cost less & float too?

If you have Boga Grips already, attach a BIG float to them before you take them fishing or you'll be sorry!

We have found that plastic grips hold just as well if not better than the more expensive stainless grips.
Perhaps a few of you who use these can chime in on what brands work best ?