Don’t Ever Do These Things in a Kayak
Jack Motley, of the popular YouTube Channel Yak Motley, brings us "5 Things to Never Do in a Kayak." He says: “I talk about some of my worst ideas when in a kayak.” He wants viewers to learn from his mistakes:
Don’t Fool Around with Sharp-Toothed and Spiny Things
When you’re dealing with fish with sharp teeth and spiny fins, be careful! Don’t end up like Jack a couple years ago—in the emergency room after a saltwater catfish fin went through his hand.
Never bring a big toothy fish into your kayak facing you. You don’t want it sinking its teeth into your foot or leg. Examples of fish not to bring in your kayak unless you’re an expert: lion fish and a 5-6 foot shark.
Know what you’re doing!
Don’t Go Out There by Yourself
A friend of Jack’s rolled his kayak and his PFD didn’t deploy. If Jack wouldn’t have been with him, he could’ve succumbed to hypothermia.
There are unexpected hazards on the water that can turn dangerous if you’re alone. If you’re on big water or fish far from shore, grab a buddy to bring along.
Pylons, Shipping Channels, Tides and Bridges
There are some areas—especially coastal salt water areas—that are best left alone when you’re in a kayak:
Strong tidal currents can pull you out further than you’ll want to go.
When you’re in big water or around bridges and pylons, an angler in a kayak is very hard to see by folks in large boats and ships.
Just don’t go into shipping channels where the big boats are.
Hooks and Waves
When you’re coming through the breakwater, if your hooks are on your fishing poles and you roll—which isn’t uncommon—you may end up with a hook embedded where you don’t want it.
Hooks and waves don’t make a good combination. Jack knows from experience how high breaks can roll an overloaded boat, dumping your gear and fish and leaving hooks in your clothing or—worse—a body part.
Currents and Storms
Storms, currents and kayaks don’t mix. You’re just not fast in a kayak. Be very aware of the weather. Check the forecast and be aware of the weather patterns where you fish. If a storm comes in, it’s unlikely you’ll be able to outrun it.
Be sure and watch the video for all the details. Read the comments, too—viewers left tons of good tips. Here are a few of them:
“Never leave shore without tethering everything in your boat!!”
“Never get so excited about capturing your epic battle that you lose the best fish of the day while fumbling around with your GoPro.”
“Be mindful of alligators and their nesting times and habits.”
“I had not practiced rolling and re-entry in a controlled environment.”
For more videos from Yak Motley, visit his YouTube Channel.
Contact our Wisconsin-based Customer Service team with your paddle questions today: 715-755-3405 • [email protected]
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