11 Kayak Fishing MISTAKES That Can Take Your Life

Kayak fishing is an exhilarating and rewarding sport, but it's crucial to prioritize safety on the water. In this eye-opening video, I shine a light on common mistakes that can have severe consequences and even put your life at risk. I will guide you through each potential hazard, sharing valuable tips and insights to keep you safe and sound during your kayak fishing adventures.

From underestimating weather conditions and choosing inappropriate locations to neglecting essential safety gear and poor decision-making, we cover it all. Let's highlight these life-threatening errors and provides practical advice on how to avoid them.

Whether you're a seasoned kayak angler or new to the sport, this video is a must-watch. Join us on the Wendell Fishing channel to learn from the mistakes of others and enhance your kayak fishing skills while keeping yourself out of harm's way.

Don't take unnecessary risks when it comes to your life on the water. Remember, the key to an unforgettable kayak fishing experience is preparation, knowledge, and above all, safety.

As always, reach out if you have any questions. -Daren

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***GEAR REFERENCED***

***VIDEOS REFERENCED***

***KAYAK FISHING OBSESSED (KFO SHOW) PODCAST***

***TOP 5 VIDEOS***

***KAYAK FISHING OBSESSED (KFO SHOW) LIVE SHOW***

***KAYAK CAMERA GEAR USED***

***SOCIALS***

***TIMESTAMPS***
0:15 Kayak Fishing Mistake #1
1:20 Kayak Fishing Mistake #2
2:55 Kayak Fishing Mistake #3
4:40 Kayak Fishing Mistake #4
5:19 Kayak Fishing Mistake #5
6:23 Kayak Fishing Mistake #6
7:48 Kayak Fishing Mistake #7
9:20 Kayak Fishing Mistake #8
9:50 Kayak Fishing Mistake #9
10:26 Kayak Fishing Mistake #10
11:14 Kayak Fishing Mistake #11

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[michaell]

#1 is not wearing a PFD... has to be the biggest fix for most kayak incidents.

[althan]

I fish in West Texas and what you mentioned about drinking water is very true. I fished for about 6 hours last weekend and used 92oz of water. I almost ran out of water. The heat is no joke on a kayak.

[Blue-Kayak]

My mistake was floating down a river with the current while fishing with 35 pound test line. I had only kayaked a couple of times, I was alone, and it was November in Minnesota. It did not take long to get a snag, and there was no way I could break the line. I'd pull with all my might and the kayak just moved closer to the snag. Soon I was broadside to the current and capsized when I hit a partially sunken tree AKA a strainer. Luckily, I did not get caught in the strainer, but the first time I got up on the kayak I was shivering so badly it capsized again. I was more careful the second time, and then I paddled like crazy to keep warm. Many mistakes made, and I'm lucky to be alive. Should have had a knife handy to cut the line.

[RogerFordSuperRog]

Awesome advice! Safety is so important. I always like when there are other folks fishing (or at least somewhere on the shore) rather than me being all alone on the water. Nice to be secluded, but it poses a greater risk.

[agentwynnoutdoors]

Great information. Get a dry suit for cold water days. It will save your life.

[julesbodnar]

As an ACA certified Sea Kayak instructor, This is Great info! Good job, Kayak fishing isn't just fishing!!

[Exploremorefishing]

As a brand new kayak angler this vid is invaluable, thank you !!

[briankadams]

I haven't been out fishing in mine yet but my career kept me very safety oriented, glad i saw your vid, thanks for the tips, well done.

[keith]

I took an involuntary swim while wading on the Lehigh River in PA on an unseasonably warm January day. I had waders on which kept me from getting my whole body wet. I told my buddy I was ok and wanted to keep fishing because I felt fine, but he took charge and got me to walk with him back to the truck. About halfway there ( a 1/4 mile or so) he had to assist me because I was barely awake and could hardly walk. If I had been by myself I likely wouldn't be writing this. Cold water ain't no joke.

[phillair]

Thanks. 80 y/0 In good health and looking forward to first time on my Hobie Mirage Itrek 9 ultralite. Your presentation here is really welcomed. This is exactly the information I've needed to have the confidence I used to have in my little Hobie cat 50 years ago. Currently living in WA with a lot of small lakes in the NWPacific to explore.

[oxyfee]

I flipped my Lure 11 by reaching out for a bag of tubes, I just bought them and they fell over board, I think I totally forgot I was on a kayak, I reached out to grab them and over I went. It was the beginning of May in Ontario Canada, the water was freezing, it took me six hours of throwing my anchor to get my rods back. It was a humbling experience, it scared the hell out of me, luckily I was fairly close to shore, my jacket definitely saved my life.

[MrFishBlood]

Bringing water is a big one for me. I worked as a biologist with Indiana DNR on the rivers for a few years. It was part of the safety policy that you cannot go on the boat for the day unless you have a PFD, a gallon of water, and a rainsuit.

[bermchasin]

i nearly got heat exhaustion yesterday, but felt it coming on and was able to get off the water and rehydrate. then had a nice relaxing time after.

[tammlen]

All really good tips. Another... know that water in just the 50s can be really dangerous if you capsize and can't get back into your kayak within 10 minutes. WIsh there were more vids from experienced kayakers mentioning this and the use of drysuits, not just PFDs. Maybe not a problem where they kayak. But can effect those of us just getting into the sport, who live in colder climates. Despite watching MANY vids before deciding on buying fishing kayaks, my husband and I remained pretty ignorant to the danger of cold water, not thinking it was all that "cold" when we went kayak fishing in the spring and fall. Outside temps were still comfortable on nice days. But didn't even think about the water temps being in the "50s". It wasn't until recently I found out that, had we capsized during those times, we may have been in very serious trouble. Maybe not so much a danger for those capable of very quickly righting and getting back on their kayak. But that is definitely not us. Alhough we considered ourselves still physically fit enough to self-rescue, given time, being able to do so within 10 minutes, before the cold starts getting to you, would be unlikely. And probably the same could be said for a lot of kayakers, especially newbies, and those older ones like us.

Needless to say, we now have drysuits and will be practicing self-rescue with them the next time we go out. If you should happen to read this, hope you might mention drysuits at times, even if you have no need for them. Thanks!

[taylormayhew]

Thanks homie all great advice and practicing on our small lake Abiquiu in NM water's like glass until 11:00 and then it turns into white cap swells so I always make sure I'm out in the middle of the lake so that I can ride the waves back. The wind always comes from the far side of the lake and blows towards the dock which was lucky because on my first time if it had been the opposite I would have been 12 mi from the only pier on the lake

[unionsquaregrassman]

Great video. Most disasters are a combination of preventable errors. Luck won’t always be enough!

[thomaslangdale]

Great info! Know your limitations and file a float plan with somebody that gives 2 flips about you.

[Mojo]

Never capsized accidentally did it once on purpose with no gear on board. To work on the get back in part. Haha several years of kayaking I am thinking about another run at it good video good advice.

[lahi-lophoto]

Too many think accidents happen to others and/or think if they’re healthy they can’t drown. Down here in the gulf, 9 people lost their lives to rip currents including one NFL football player. Just yesterday, I saw several boats out on the water in a huge thunderstorm with lightening…can’t fix stupid. Good point on beavers…didn’t know they were so hazardous:) we have a lot of gators !Be safe out there!