Safety flag height

So I'm gonna throw  a flag on my kayak . what is an appropriate height for a flag ?

Most commercially available kayak safety flags are pretty small, and hold the flag only about a foot above the kayaker’s head.  You might as well just wear a bright hat with a light on top of it.  Specifically, the VisiCarbon Pro is 48” long, the Scotty SeaLight is 42” long, and the RailBlaza Telepole for the Navisafe light is 42” long, although you can raise the top of these poles by about a foot by mounting them on top of a crate in the rear storage area of a kayak.  I described how I made a taller flag and safety light pole with a bigger flag at http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=15155.msg164358#msg164358 . A simpler option is to use a spare rod as a flagpole, which has the advantage that if something happens to your main rod, you can pull the flag off your spare rod and use it.

Check out a store that specializes in ATV or off-road vehicle stuff.  My flag is an 8 ft, ~$15 ATV fiberglass whip that came with a bright orange flag on the end of it.  I zip-tied it to a mount I had laying around and it works perfectly.  I have been using the same setup for ~6 years and the only thing that has changed is the flag from time to time when it gets faded or torn.

Most commercially available kayak safety flags are pretty small, and hold the flag only about a foot above the kayaker’s head.  You might as well just wear a bright hat with a light on top of it.  Specifically, the VisiCarbon Pro is 48” long, the Scotty SeaLight is 42” long, and the RailBlaza Telepole for the Navisafe light is 42” long, although you can raise the top of these poles by about a foot by mounting them on top of a crate in the rear storage area of a kayak.  I described how I made a taller flag and safety light pole with a bigger flag at http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=15155.msg164358#msg164358 . A simpler option is to use a spare rod as a flagpole, which has the advantage that if something happens to your main rod, you can pull the flag off your spare rod and use it.

Not a bad idea using a spare rod to use as a flag. 

Check out a store that specializes in ATV or off-road vehicle stuff.  My flag is an 8 ft, ~$15 ATV fiberglass whip that came with a bright orange flag on the end of it.  I zip-tied it to a mount I had laying around and it works perfectly.  I have been using the same setup for ~6 years and the only thing that has changed is the flag from time to time when it gets faded or torn.

I planned on getting an ATV flag too . just wasn't sure i f I should leave it full height or cut it down some . I think they make ATV flags with little lights on top too .

I use a little metal clip, similar to a clothespin, with orange ribbon tied to it. Then just clip it on your spare rod. When you're not using it, you can stick it in your tackle box or center hatch and dont have to deal with bringing an extra flag pole everywhere. Easiest/cheapest option IMO.

I planned on getting an ATV flag too . just wasn't sure i f I should leave it full height or cut it down some . I think they make ATV flags with little lights on top too .

I have a diver down flag on one of my kayaks which is too floppy, and it flaps back and forth in the wind, and gets flopped around by wave action, and drives me nuts.  The bike flags I've seen are way too floppy for use on a kayak.  If you get an ATV flag, look for one with a stiff pole.

Red shop rag, clip and spare rod not a bad idea for sure . thanks for the ideas .

I use a bike flag I purchased from Bi-Mart like this one. I had it mounted to my milkcrate, but not have it mounted on a Scotty mount.

I planned on getting an ATV flag too . just wasn't sure i f I should leave it full height or cut it down some . I think they make ATV flags with little lights on top too .

I have a diver down flag on one of my kayaks which is too floppy, and it flaps back and forth in the wind, and gets flopped around by wave action, and drives me nuts.  The bike flags I've seen are way too floppy for use on a kayak.  If you get an ATV flag, look for one with a stiff pole.

I disagree. I have a floppy pole (there's a slow pitch) and I've been told it is highly visible and attention-getting because it moves around so much.

It does bother me sometimes, on windy days, though, and I like the idea of using a "spare" rod sticking up and just attaching a flag to that. But I don't think there's anything inherently wrong with the "floppy" type.

If it's too floppy the flag pole is permanently bent over in one direction when it's windy out, making it less effective.

Those I have fished with have seen my flag/fishing pole it's long and stout. I call it my telephone pole "reach out and touch someone". I will post pics next time I pull it out. Flag is custom stitched old safety vest with 60 lbs mono sewn into it as well as a piece of coat hanger so it won't "flop" ,with a swival connector for attaching it to the eyelet of the rod, tighten drag and real it in. Here it is with smilingkayaker standing on board.