Kayak Corner
Prepare for the Unexpected
by Capt. Casey Brunning
Marsh & Bayou Outfitters
(504) 309-3446
www.marshandbayou.com
With the speckled trout transitioning south
for the spawn and the school trout eating like
they haven’t found a meal in months, finding
fish this time of year is becoming easier by the
day, but finding relief from the heat, humidity,
sun, and ever-changing winds and temperatures
is another thing. This time of year we usually
leave the launch under an umbrella of darkness
in comfortable temperatures and light winds;
but as the sun climbs and darkness fades, the atmosphere heats up, and being ill prepared is
the last thing you want be when in a kayak.
First and foremost, always keep safety as your
priority, never let the excitement of catching fish
or exploring new waters oversee your own
safety. A personal flotation device should always be the number one item you never leave
your vehicle without, and having it stowed away
in a hatch somewhere is also something you
should never do. If you were to capsize in a
spring storm with high winds and fast moving
24
April 2016 www.marshandbayou.com
currents, the odds of getting to your PFD are
not in your favor. Lately it seems that on a
weekly/monthly basis we hear of kayakers
drowning across the country, and the one common thing they all failed to use was a PFD. In
today’s technologically advanced world, there
are PFD’s that fit in comfort,
from full-size to inflatable around the
neck or around
the waist. A fullsize PFD will always be ready
for use but can
be cumbersome
to some, while
the inflatable styles
have taken off over the years and offer
comfort for all-day use without getting in the
way. No matter what style fits your preference,
the key is to always have it on, even when the
conditions are perfect.
Water is the next obvious thing you need to
always have - and not only have it with you, but
actually drink it. I’ve found many times that I
may bring six to eight bottles of water only to
still have six to eight bottles of water at the end
of the day. Try to make a routine of keeping hydrated, maybe it’s every 30 minutes or every
three fish landed or every gator
you see, but you have to drink
the water. It took me a long
time, some grueling cramps,
and near dehydration to get
the hint. In a kayak we are constantly depleting our bodies of
nutrients; it’s like an all-day
workout program that never
burns, but having and drinking
water throughout the day will
make all the difference in your
attitude, endurance, and enjoyment of the day.
Lightweight warm, cool, and
waterproof clothing is also another necessity. The
Guidewear series from Cabela’s
is available in too many options
to mention, but with strategically placed vents in
their shirts and removable legs in their pants,
along with their advanced wind and water-repellant finish, the entire lightweight Guidewear series is a no-brainer for staying