Staying Safe While Kayak Fishing | Kayak Fishing In SW Florida

It feels like just yesterday we were celebrating New Years’ but yet here we are almost half way through the year already, pretty crazy right!  Welcome to May everyone, hope you’re enjoying the great warm weather and the amazing fishing that comes along with it. Southwest Florida is a summer destination not only for locals but also for people from all around! The sunny warm weather makes everyone want to get outside and enjoy the water. With an increase of people wanting to enjoy our beaches and waterways also comes a high amount of boaters. From local guides, to the recreational boaters and everything in between, our waterways become a highway for boat traffic making it extremely important for kayak anglers to make sure we stay safe out on the water. 

There is no doubt that kayak fishing is increasing in popularity. All around the state more and more kayak anglers are being seen out on the water. Today’s kayaks are much more complex than they were before. We are now able to rig them just like we would a small boat, with all the electronics and gadgets we would want. But one thing remains, no matter whether you’re on a center console boat, or a paddleboard, when you’re sharing the waterways you must be knowledgeable and careful at all times. We as kayak anglers must always be on the lookout for boaters or any other recreational watercraft while out on the water. I can’t even begin to count how many times I’ve been out and a reckless boater passes within feet of my kayak giving off his massive wake. I see this all the time and it happens more and more! On the flip side of things, I also see many kayak anglers fishing and entering areas that they really shouldn’t be in, like main boating channels or narrow channel creeks! When it comes down to it, both the kayaker and the boater must be on full alert at all times, and it’s important for both to understand the differences of each!

For us kayak anglers, aside from our mandated safety equipment, we must be able to ensure that we are being seen, especially if you’re in a high boat traffic area. This can be as simple as wearing bright color apparel or you can go the alternative route and purchase a safety flag. These flags can attach to your kayak and make yourself more visible from a distance. A very simple but yet extremely effective way to prevent someone from not seeing you when you’re out on the water. There are many good brands like YakAttack or RAILBLAZA that make an excellent product when it comes to kayak flags. Next thing is to make sure we are being smart and knowledgeable of our waterways. Even though kayak anglers are not really forced to be on the main channel, since shallow water doesn’t affect us. We still have to do our homework and be cautious of where the channels are located, therefore we can avoid them and use alternative routes to get to our fishing spots. These small but effective tips are very important when kayak fishing during this time of year.

I have been kayak fishing in Southwest Florida for a very long time and I have always tried my best to avoid high boat traffic areas. Not only does it take the stress away from having to be watching over your back all the time but it also makes for a more enjoyable time out on the water. The beauty of a kayak is the ability to explore and navigate waters that are difficult to access with a boat. You should always take advantage of that, even if it means paddling a few extra minutes, at the end of the day it’ll be worth it! I personally like to stay away from the crowds and find unique areas to fish but I also understand that sometimes the only route is through a busy boat channel or crossing a lake. In those cases make sure to use common sense and always be patient. Keep in mind that a boat can travel much faster than you and many times they are not willing to slow down especially if they are in a boating channel. Ultimately, make sure to always be on the lookout and use all the tools you can to stay safe while kayak fishing during our waterway’s busiest season! 

Hope you guys enjoyed this little introduction to staying safe while kayak fishing! If you would like to learn more or experience kayak fishing in Southwest Florida make sure to check us out at reelfinsflorida.com! Hope to see you guys there, until then, tight lines!