captken

Thanks for the heads up Nathan. (I hadn't tried to get it get it out in a hurry) When Iread your post, I went out, got in the seat and reached over my shoulder and yanked the PFD out. It was pretty tough. (I darn near dislocated my shoulder but got it out on the first try. The bungee hooks are right by each elbow and are easy to get loose. It is a lot easier that way.

I've been frying in my inflatable so it is in my closet at home. I wore it all of the time because I honestly don't think I could put it on in the water.

I'm not real happy with the style of vest I have on the yak. I have several extra offshore vests and plan to replace it with one of them tomorrow. Having a big patch of orange on the back of the seat will make me more visible to airboaters. I'll also have an extra light and an extra whistle.

I sit on a throwable cushion so it is my first line of defense.

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Captken
http://www.panhandlefishingbooks.com/

fla_scout

Can you put a picture of the storage bag that you put on your kayak? I have a small lean to attached to my chicken yard that does not completley cover the yak in the mornings and depending on the time of the year not in the afternoon. I would be very interested in the cover for when I hang it up during hunting season and the colder months as well as during the summer months when I lean it against the house for easy access. If you don't mind include a basic price for the kayak condom. And yes I have coined the phrase "Kayak Condom".

Thanks,

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War Eagle!

SheYakFishr

Ken... great job!! BUT... the PFD was the first thing I saw/noticed... thinking... okay.. he's just been overtaken by a big wave... the yak is UPSIDE DOWN... and he needs the life jacket. I normally either sit on mine... or prop it behind me. It's loose... and easily grabbed in a ny second. If I go... it's going with me. I'm also thinking... the coast guard can give you a ticket... it it's not quickly accessible. I want to get one of those blow up kind... that isn't cumberson. I hate wearing one... it's very uncomfortable... rides up to my chin...and it's in MY way. The other kind just lays flat against you and that one... I would probably wearit all the time when I go out.

Oh... another thing... If you go out in the gulf... I wouldn't string ANYTHING... because more so than not... your yak may get "bumped" by a shark larger than your yak... taking what he wants. The meal is hanging under there.... and it's for the taking. Another yaker had several fish on a stringer... it scared him to death... the shark came up.. hit his yak hard... hard enough for him to get rattled... and ate what he had on the stringer. Nope... no thanks... I don't want to draw any more attention to me than what my little paddles do.

:letsdrink

gottafish

Nice set-up and great pics! I was thinking what the others were thinking about the vest because I fish in the gulf. When I was trying to get a 40# king in the yak last fall because I was afraid sharks would otherwise get it, I was so glad that I was wearing my vest, because my yak flipped at that point, and I found myself so exausted with all of the commotion that it allowed me time to rest so that I had the energy to flip my yak back over. You never know what is going to happen out there in the gulf (Assuming you fish there sometimes.)

I would try to find a used vest made for kayaking that is comforable enough to wear ortrade for the ones you have. Wearing it also provides great extra cushioning for a chair back.

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Hobie Outback (Key Sailing)
'11 GCKFA Tourney 2nd Place King Mack
'11 Broxson Outdoors NB Cobia/King Kayak Tournament Winner
'11 GB Optimist Fishing Rodeo 2nd Place Cobia
'11 Broxson Outdoors NB King Kayak Tournament 2nd Place
'11 Key Sailing Snapper Kayak Tournament 2nd Place
'11 Bluewater Offshore Kayak Tournament 3rd Place King Mack
'11 KBF Red Hot Nights Winner
'11 Broxson Outdoors NB Tarpon/King Kayak Tournament Winner
GCKFA Master Kayak Angler

jenoagirl

I just bought a Hobie to try some yak fishing. I do have a boat but gas prices have made me decide on alternative ways of fishing. My question is, what is the law on life vests with a yak. Do you have to wear it or just have it easily accessible?

Right now I consider myself a beginner at yak fishing, so I have been wearing it for safety reasons...

Thanks,

Jen

SheYakFishr

Jen PLEASE re-read above.. if you haven't already.

Here is per the COAST GUARD. RULES..............<P class=h2><U>Personal Flotation Devices (PFD</U>)<P class=requirements>All recreational boats must carry one wearable PFD (Type I, II, III or Type V PFD) for each person aboard. A Type V PFD provides performance of either a Type I, II, or III PFD (as marked on its label) and must be used according to the label requirements. Any boat 16ft and longer (except canoes and kayaks) must also carry one throwable PFD (Type IV PFD). <P class=h3>PFDs must be <UL><LI class=textlistshort><SPAN class=requirements2>Coast Guard approved, <LI class=textlistshort><SPAN class=requirements2>in good and serviceable condition, and <LI class=textlistshort><SPAN class=requirements2>the appropriate size for the intended user. </LI>[/list]<P class=h3><U>Accessibility </U><UL><LI class=textlistshort>Wearable PFDs must be readily accessible. <LI class=textlistshort>You must be able to put them on in a reasonable amount of time in an emergency (vessel sinking, on fire, etc.). <LI class=textlistshort>They should not be stowed in plastic bags, in locked or closed compartments or have other gear stowed on top of them. <LI class=textlistshort>The best PFD is the one you will wear. <LI class=textlistshort>Though not required, a PFD should be worn at all times when the vessel is underway. A wearable PFD can save your life, but only if you wear it. <LI class=textlistshort>Throwable devices must be immediately available for use. </LI>[/list]<P class=textlistshort>Also... there is some great info on: www.gulfcoastkayakfishing.com The local club if you haven't been there yet. Congrats on your Hobie!! It's great to fish from!!! :clap

captken

I don't get out in the GULF proper and you can bet your butt, I'm not going to get caught in a storm.

I worry most about getting run over by an airboat or swamped by a shrimp boat wake or even a small boat wake. Most places I fish are a quarter mile or less from wading depth and most of the places aren't deeper than 5' anyway.

MyEmotion Mojo is definitely not a yak for surf launching because the front hatch ain't much but it paddles easy, fishes niceand does what I need it to do.

In theevent I get dumped, thefirst thing I am going to grab is my cushion. I can't swim worth didley in a life vest so I carry it just to satisfy the letter of the law. If I fished offshore, I'd wear an inflatable and carry the best offshore vest I could afford, complete with every possible safety feature.

By-the-way, how many of ya'll ever flipped your yak on purpose just to see if you could get back aboard? I tried it with my yak completely unloaded. I had no problem righting the yak but getting back aboard was not easy. Idoubt if I coulddo it if I were wearing a life jacket.

Another thing you have to take into consideration is the location of add-ons on your yak and how they will affect re-entry if you flip. If you rig your own yak, you should remember how to remove stuff in an emergency. Better to lose some stuff than lose your life. After thinking about this tonight, I am going to secure my seat with Velcro Straps rather than the large Tie-Wraps I presently use. My yak is loaded with gear, on its trailer and ready to slip into the back of my truck 24/7/52. The seat holds lots of gear so It needs to be secure when going down the road at 70mph

__________________
Captken
http://www.panhandlefishingbooks.com/