Go Play a Lottery Ticket Today - you might still have some of that lucky Karma attached to You.
I'm glad to hear you survived the ordeal and would like to offer a suggestion to our kayak fishing community. Your calm head played an important part in your survival.
- As a former search and rescue firefighter, and motorcycle instructor I have survival mindset and carry this along to my kayak fishing, and many other things in my life.
On the bikes I used to teach students to
Dress For the Crash.
This also applies to kayak fishing.
You have to assume you will be quickly parting from your vessel and in a fight for your life - on your own - in open water.
There are several things I don't leave home without:
PFD with Attached
Water Whistle, Tethered Floating Icom VHF, Cell Phone in a small dry bag with SD Lifeguard Number on Speed Dial, Attached Knife, Water Proof Laser Flashlight (Its very bright even in daylight)
-A fresh charge on all your batteries.
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Its no joke out there, look out for your fellow kayak fisherman. By this time you should have a trained eye to spot the signs of a distressed kayak fisherman.
ie. Paddle waving in the air, whistle blowing, unusual noise (its usually quiet as a church out there), a person signaling with a flashlight.
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I caught one of my best fishing buddies while kayak fishing off La Jolla a few years ago using the perception I described above.
-He is Still the largest catch I have landed there to this day.
A 220 lb. Pilipino.