Avoid These Beginner Kayak Fishing Mistakes

We all make mistakes! Here are the 10 most common mistakes beginner kayak anglers make. I assure you, I made most of these myself! Let me know in the comments what you would add to this list.

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Gear Referenced:
Kayak: @OldTownCanoeKayak Sportsman 120 PDL
Lifejackets (PFDs):

Kayak Carts:

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS ⏱️
0:00 10 Most Common Mistakes
1:15 Mistake 1: Too Many Mods, Too Soon
2:25 Mistake 2: Skimping on Safety Gear
4:42 Mistake 3: Killing Your Back
7:07 Mistake 4: Using Ratchet Straps
8:45 Mistake 5: Improper Kayak Storage
10:28 Mistake 6: Headspace
11:20 Mistake 7: Repair Kit
13:53 Mistake 8: First Aid Kit
15:22 Mistake 9: Rod Floats and Leashes
17:08 Mistake 10: Weather and Wind Reports

Music:

Intro bumper: Song: CHENDA - Mr. Bully [NCS Release]
Music provided by NoCopyrightSounds

[chrismorgan]

I just wanted to let you know that I only recently found you. I really enjoy your content and you seem like a good dude. Nice to see regular "Joes" sharing their passion and not always being bombarded by expertise and techniques. Keep up the excellent work!

[roncharest]

Great point about safety gear. US Coast Guard statistics show that kayaks routinely win second place for the highest number of boating fatalities. I always wear my PFD on the water, even if the water is barely deeper than my boat. Also, I clip a safety whistle on the zipper of my PFD. This way, my whistle is right where I need it if I go into the water.

Another safety tip is to carry a chemlight clipped to your PFD, if you are out at night. Chemlights are waterproof, don’t go bad like batteries do. If you need rescuing, the light will help rescuers find you.

Loving your videos! I’ve been kayaking 13 years, but just added a fishing kayak to my fleet and getting into fishing.

[thomassmith]

Good video.Another thing to check is the tide or current. You might get out there and can’t get back. I know of a marina that quit renting kayaks because they had to rescue too many people because of the strong tides.

[chadtrunnell]

just getting into kayak fishing. like this video. i turned a Malibu two ocean kayak into a one man fishing kayak. loving it

[nealewatson]

Hey Dad, this is one of the best presentations for basic kayak fishing preparation I've ever seen. Thanks for the tips. Really great.

[steveharutunian]

Hey bud I’ve watched at least six of you’re vids today and I gotta say you do a heck of a job laying it out simply and enjoyably. Thanks much for all the great info and experience based advise as it will make my decisions on kayaking a much more positive experience from the get go. Thanks and again great job my man!

[TheMichiganFisherman]

IF YOU GUYS AREN'T ON KAYAK FISHING DADS... GET ON IT! 🤨👍

1. Mods too early: Totally agree buddy. I own a couple things I never use. Gotta get a feel for what you need.
2. Don't Skimp on Safety: Again! Spot on. My NRS PFD is NOT cheap but I LOVE it and I'm so glad I bought it. Wish I bought an Orange one in hindsight. Worth every penny. Even if you're an Olympic swimmer, it's hard to swim if you're knocked unconscious by a jet skier. And I also have a whistle. Those are cheap. I really need to get a 360 light though.
Since my PFD isn't Orange I wear an orange vest anytime I'm on bigger water now.
3. Killing your back: I don't have to worry about it too much with my kayak. But you're right.
4. Ratchet straps: Agree. Although I'm stronger than Hulk Hogan. 😂
5. Storage: Yup. I store mine outside but I do it upside down wrapped in a tarp. Not the best but the best I can do.
6. Headspace: GUILTY! Every overpass man...🤦‍♂ And I've been in the game awhile now.
7. Repair kit: I don't have one. Duct tape, that's it.
8. First aid kit: MUST have. I've never used mine, but the first day I leave it behind I know I'll need it.
9. Rod floats and leashes: GUILTY
10. Weather and Wind Reports: Totally agree man, especially for me on Lake St. Clair.

Great list, bro!

[realthoughts]

I love a good safety brief!!! Did not know about the rod floaters. Thanks for the weather tip also!! Great video!!

[mackgray]

JUST GETTING STARTED…..ONLY SEEN 3 VIDEOS…….THIS ONE ROCKS ..new subscriber

[PedrooGrilo-tf]

good video. thank you so much for the clarifications. i'll get a fishing kayak and these advice helps a lot of beginners like me.
thanks.

[pjroyse]

Strongly suggest getting a high quality flashlight that has the strobe light function to point at boats coming toward you …… saved my butt on a couple occasions because they ain’t looking!!!!

[colobisman]

I'll be buying an Old Town kayak next spring. So glad I saw this video because I was going to use ratchet straps to secure it to my truck. Not now.

[rayniemann]

First, thanks for making the video. I still consider myself a bit of a newbie even tho I have been kayak fishing for 2 years now. Safety is our number one concern for our kayaks. My daughter usually goes with me, and we also have a 3rd one so a friend can come if they want. Every one who uses one of our kayaks has to wear a life vest. We have a few extras and will spend the time before getting on the water to adjust them as needed. We take our 2 dogs out and they wear life vests as well. We also all carry whistles and we each have a knife

[Just_A_Name]

I prefer cork handles for the feel and for the floating capability also keep a paracord bracelet on that has a compass and a whistle on it. I’ll put it on my PFD when I get my kayak and vest.

[robcarr]

All great points. I made that first mistake when I bought my first AR-15. I bought every gadget, Lazer and light I could fit on it. By the time I was done, it was so heavy I had to take everything off. It looked ridiculous!! I just bought my first kayak yesterday and almost made the same mistake but decided to wait until I get it on the water and see exactly what I need. Thank you for the great advice!! 👍💪

[TheMehlert]

I agree with Chris Morgan. Good job! Just moved to Colorado Springs & found out kayak fishing is a must have. More-so, sister is a kayaker & I'm an angler so 2 birds with one stone. Currently looking at the Old Town PDL 106 but haven't pulled the trigger yet. This video helped educate me instead of diving into it blindfolded. And yes, I did subscribe.👍

[tombosanko]

When I bought my kayack I bought with it a orange pfd, orange bladed paddle, orange seat cushions. I also got a whistle, the wilderness cart, spare prop. I made my own fishing pole leashes out of .105 weedeater string.
I keep my pfd when not using in my front batch along with a big wide hat and the spare prop is attatched to the hatch cover.

[davidlewis]

PFD, inflatable..small air horn/ whistle. Several light sources mounted n handheld. First Aid Kit .

[NicholasHorvath]

Always always have a PFD. Lake Erie and its watershed claims lives far too often. I carry a VHF/UHF radio in addition to everything you mention

[MarksMobileDetailingInc]

Just bought my kayak and this video is must excellent thanks bearded dude 😎👍