is is mandatory to wear a life jacket when you are fishing in a yak? thanks
Don’t have to be wearing it, just have it. Along with a sound producing device (whistle for me). This time of year it is a good idea to wear it though, that water is cold!
1996 Sunbird Spirit 170 - 112 Johnson
15’ Ocean Kayak Scupper Pro
thanks. i am hoping now that my father in law has one - i now have one! do you ever use an anchor?
Most of us local yakkers have some sort of anchor system. I set up a simple homemade trolly system so I can move the anchor to the front or back.
1996 Sunbird Spirit 170 - 112 Johnson
15’ Ocean Kayak Scupper Pro
Definitely nice to have an anchor, practically a necessity IMO. Mine came with my used Pungo 120. It is a 5 pound weightlifting plate on about 30 feet of yellow line. Works pretty good. 5 pounds seems to be heavy enough. The shape of the plate makes it easy to “lift and drift” along a bank when the tide is moving. Lift the weight off the bottom; drift on down a few feet; fish; repeat.
I think you also need a 360-degree light if you are out at night. Maybe a chem-lite is ok. The other guys know a LOT more about this than me, as I am still a rookie. 
2009 Tidewater 196DC
2009 Yamaha F115
Sure I’m in the minority here… but less is more, IMO. All the times I use to bring the anchor, only a few times I thought it to my advantage (yesterday would have been one of them). Probably rougher on my yaks than most, but usually jam the tail end up on a mud bank, put a big piece of grass under my foot/footbrace, or hang my boot:) out and hold on to oysters (tougher to do with S.I.Kayaks).
As far as the PFD question…, stupid to go without in winter time.
my first sot had way to much on it(gps, depth finder, pulley system for the anchor, etc.). in the creeks and sounds around here I find so much easier to fish with out an anchor and some of the other crap I used to bring. there are some trip though, that I will bring an anchor. one thing that does help with positioning my yak is the rudder.
Mud
quote:
Originally posted by cutmulletSure I’m in the minority here… but less is more, IMO. All the times I use to bring the anchor, only a few times I thought it to my advantage (yesterday would have been one of them). Probably rougher on my yaks than most, but usually jam the tail end up on a mud bank, put a big piece of grass under my foot/footbrace, or hang my boot:) out and hold on to oysters (tougher to do with S.I.Kayaks).
As far as the PFD question…, stupid to go without in winter time.
I’m a big fan of less, less, less. I normally take only a small tackle box, one rod, paddle, bottle of water, and my little anchor. HATE it when I forget the anchor. 
Always wear the life jacket of course, same when boating alone. The jacket stays on.
2009 Tidewater 196DC
2009 Yamaha F115