Four Things a Kayaker Should Have On Board

By Michael W Gibson

Kayaking is a fun and simple activity that can keep you close to nature. It is also a great way to get a workout. Like other forms of wilderness travel, kayaking requires a certain amount of preparedness.

Part of this preparedness is knowing what to take with you.

Aside from water, food and your life jacket (state law), four items you might want to consider carrying along on your kayak excursion include:

GPS

If you're paddling down rivers or on small lakes, you may not need a GPS. However, if you're on a large body of water and planning on paddling over the visible horizon, GPS is a requirement. GPS units are also great for swampy areas where you're buried under a canopy of cypress and tupelo.

Waterproof Containers

There's always a need to keep the dry stuff dry when you're out on the water. Cell phones, cameras and many other items don't mix well with water. Waterproof containers are a must when kayaking. They come in all shapes and sizes, from flexible rubber deck bags to hard plastic cases sealed with o-rings.

Anchor

Although it may sound absurd, they do make tiny anchors specifically for kayaks, and they can come in really handy. When you've paddled hard for hours against the current or wind, it's nice to be able to drop anchor and take a break without worrying about drifting back the way you came.

Towel

Just because you don't capsize doesn't mean you won't get wet. On a windy day, the spray alone is enough to leave you damp at best and drenched at worst. Don't forget to bring a towel along. You can store it in one of your waterproof containers.

A kayak trip is so much better when you know what to bring along. Anticipate what you want to do, what could happen, and pack accordingly. Having the right gear can mean the difference between an exhilarating experience and pure misery.

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Choosing the Proper Kayaking Accessories

Paddle Board Fishing

By Jonathan Gafill

Paddling along the shallows you can see the shadow of the board gliding across the sandy lake bottom. It's not uncommon to see a fish cruising along close to you... so why not seize the moment and cast a line out.

I've found that the stand up paddle board can be an excellent fishing platform. Where I live, we have hundreds of inland lakes around that are great for exploring and fishing. Some of the great fishing spots aren't even accessible from a boat, but with a paddleboard you can scoot right up on a fishing hole without even being noticed. With the high vantage point of stand up paddle boards, you can see the fish about as far away as you can cast. It's nearly a perfect situation.

Here is my typical paddleboard fishing excursion. For this example let's assume we're fishing for Bass. First I'd scope out the satellite layout of the lake on Google Maps. You'd be surprised how many times features of the lake will go un-noticed. Look for dark spots that resemble "holes", or spots that look like steep drop offs around the edge of the lake. You'll also want to take into consideration the time of day that you're planning on fishing. Early morning and late evening are the best times to catch the fish.

When getting ready to go out on the lake, grab a backpack that has an external side pocket for drinks -most do have these. Test fit your fishing pole in this little pouch... You might need to make some small modifications to get it to stay in while paddling. Then put your lures, tackle, and anything else you plan to fish with in the bag.

When you get to the lake, scope out the wind direction. The wind tends to blow the warm top water to one side of the lake... in my experiences; the fish tend to stay in the cooler water. So paddle out to a spot that looks like it might have some fish. Weed beds or underwater debris can be a good place to start.

Reach behind your head and grab the fishing pole. Get yourself steady, and cast. You may have to repeat that process a few times, but with a little skill and a lot of luck, you'll hook a fish.

This is the fun part... the fish will start pulling back. Sometimes, if you've got a decent fish on the end of the line, he'll actually pull you around a little bit. -Really fun.

Good luck... and keep paddling!

Learn more about Paddle Board Fishing [http://www.burley-paddleboarding.com].

Visit Burley Sports [http://www.burleysports.com] for tips, tricks and videos of all your favorite water sports.

Jonathan James

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Five Easy Ways to Be Miserable While Kayaking

By Larry S. Kang

Don't be misled! Kayaking can actually be a very enjoyable experience. The gentle breeze, the beautiful scenery, and the fascinating wildlife all make kayaking the perfect escape from your boring desk job. But just in case you don't think life is hard enough, here are five simple ways to make even a fun activity like kayaking into a horrible and painful experience.

1. Don't check tides

Who cares what the moon does? And the sun too, for that matter. Ignore the tide charts and you may be surprised at how strongly the water pulls you to exactly where you don't want to go. In addition, when the tide falls, you may end up with your kayak stuck in mud while you decide whether you want to drag it out while slogging knee-deep through the muck or just abandon it completely. You might be better off ignoring the tides if you are going kayaking in open waters, but if you are paddling in sloughs or near straits, ignoring the tides and tidal currents is a quick path to kayaking misery.

2. Dress inappropriately

However careful you are when paddling, you will get wet. Therefore, if you want to be miserable, find the heaviest and most absorbent fabric to wear, like cotton or denim. This will make sure that when you do get wet, you will also stay wet (and stay cold) for longer. You can also get that lovely clammy feeling that doesn't go away until your next hot shower.

3. Forget the weather

Kayaking in the rain, cold, or wind is another sure way to have a miserable paddling experience. While some more adventurous types will gladly go kayaking in the rain and cold, they still need to be aware of the weather and be prepared for it. Failing to check the weather forecast and come prepared for the elements can not only make you physically uncomfortable, but can also be outright dangerous. Just imagine trying to get back to shore in thick fog.

4. Lose your paddle

One of the most important pieces of equipment, aside from your kayak, is your paddle. If you want to be miserable while kayaking, just throw your paddle into the ocean! It's very simple and will be sure to make you miserable as you either try to flag someone down to help you, wait and feel guilty while a friend tows you back to shore, or frantically try to paddle back with your hands. If you really want to suffer, make sure you don't bring a spare paddle or use a paddle leash.

5. Cross in front of boats

This is likely to make you either feel hated, scared, or seriously injured, all of which fall under the broad category of "miserable". The worst outcome is that you and your kayak can get run over by whichever boat you are trying to cross in front of. Even if you don't get hit, you are likely to seriously annoy whoever is driving the boat, who will have to stop or turn quickly to avoid hitting you.

All kayakers have made their share of mistakes - but don't worry, even if you screw up at some point and have a miserable kayaking trip. As long as you survive, there is always another opportunity to have a great one.

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Pick the right boat