By Frank Sargeant
Frankmako1@gmail.com
Former University of South Carolina college football player Chris Smelley went out on a kayak in the Gulf of Mexico near Destin for a few hours of fishing. He planned a short trip — just jumped in the boat with his tackle and nothing else.
Not even his cellphone or a PFD.
He almost didn’t come back.
A wind out of the north sneaked up on Smelley. Before he knew it, the boat had drifted a long way from shore. And he discovered that paddling was not bringing him closer—the combination of wind, waves and current was moving him out to sea.
He spent many long hours drifting steadily further offshore, but fortunately his family alerted officials and friends and he was located just at sundown — sunburned and dehydrated, but OK.
Smelley is one of many anglers new to kayaking in big water — as ‘yaks have become more capable and better equipped, they have become real fish catching machines and some anglers regularly catch snapper, grouper, king mackerel, cobia and even tarpon and an occasional sailfish well off the beaches these days.
But experts tell us to be safe in any boat in open water requires the right gear, some basic knowledge and more than a dose of caution. This is doubly true in tiny boats like ‘yaks.
First, of course, is to obey the basic laws of boating—and that means you carry a PFD. Most experts advise a conventional vest-type device rather than an inflatable when going offshore. The inflatables are more comfortable, but considering that a capsize offshore can mean hours in the water, it’s better to depend on the standard flotation vests that can’t deflate.
A communication device is a must. In most areas, a cellphone is adequate up to maybe 9 miles out, way further than anyone should ever go in a kayak. Just be sure there’s a tower within range before you head out in a given area if the cellphone is your safety-net.
Cellphones are best kept in a waterproof case, on a lanyard either attached to your belt or the kayak. That way they stay functional and can’t be lost overboard, even if the kayak flips.
Otherwise, you’ll want a waterproof handheld VHF radio, or maybe a satellite communication device like the Garmin InReach or the SPOT. This lets you stay in touch with people ashore, as well as calling for help if you have to.
Even better in an emergency is a Personal Locator Beacon or PLB. This little waterproof gizmo attaches to your life vest, and if you get in trouble you activate it and it sends out a homing signal that will direct rescuers to your location. Most also have a strobe light to make you more visible. (You have to register it before use, but this takes only a minute.)
Most kayaks used offshore are now propelled by pedals, but it’s wise to carry a paddle as a backup. Tie the paddle to the yak—that way it’s still there if your pedals fail and the boat flips.
A raincoat and pants, even in the heat of summer, will be greatly appreciated if you get stuck in a rainstorm offshore. Trust me, even if it’s 90 when you leave the beach, the wind and rain out of a thunderstorm will have you shivering in nothing flat
A gallon jug of fresh water is a must, and some dry-pack survival food will be appreciated if you get stuck out there for long. Again, these essentials should be secured so they can’t get away if the boat flips. Stick a strong LED flashlight with strobe and a mini air-blast horn in the same watertight box and you’re good to go.
There’s a lot of great fishing to be found nearshore these days off many beaches, particularly in the southeast, and kayaks of the right design, well equipped and handled wisely, can get you to the fish on many days. Just be sure you go prepared.