Going solo

What are the necessary precautions to consider for embarking on a solo kayak fishing trip?   Of course, there's experience and good judgement, safety and self rescue equipment.  But one thing I'm having a hard time with is having confidence that I'll be ok going by myself.  So, I don't go without a buddy....which translates to not going as often as I'd like.  There is a sense of comfort (perhaps false) that if some trouble were to befall my situation, then someone close would be an asset.  How does one gain confidence for solo self reliance in kayak fishing?

I'm going to respond with the philosophical rather than the practical. When I go kayaking or backpacking alone I just stick to the usual common sense mantras: trust your experience and your equipment, have a plan, have a backup plan. At some point with any adventurous endeavor we all have to accept the risks we face for the reward we seek. I am willing to accept the additional risk incurred by going alone because I value the solitude I get in return. Not everyone thrives on self-reliance, but it can be learned.

"I'd rather be fish food than worm food."

I'm going to respond with the philosophical rather than the practical. When I go kayaking or backpacking alone I just stick to the usual common sense mantras: trust your experience and your equipment, have a plan, have a backup plan. At some point with any adventurous endeavor we all have to accept the risks we face for the reward we seek. I am willing to accept the additional risk incurred by going alone because I value the solitude I get in return. Not everyone thrives on self-reliance, but it can be learned.

"I'd rather be fish food than worm food."

Well put Lauren.  The only thing that I'd add is that you need to recognize, individually, the risks that you're going to be taking.  Each of the challenges are manageable singularly.  You can't mitigate fate, luck or destiny.  Everything else can be addressed.

Do one thing every day that scares you .—Mary Schmich

-Mark-

Make sure you have GOOD safety gear and your wearing it. I have solo fished for years both day and multi day up to 5 miles off shore. I flipped solo 2 mi off shore in la jolla it's scary and took a couple trips to recover my confidence.  I always over prepare, if a gallon of water is recommended per day bring 1.5 gal.


Oh yeah. Just go do it, solo kayak fishing is by far my favorite way of escape.

Lauren and Spot both make excellent points and their advice is, as always "spot" on. I do most of my fishing by myself, retired I can go during the week when its less crowded, plus like Lauren, I enjoy the solitude. When I plan trips in areas that are less frequented by others, I may mitigate some of the risks I take, if I'm going out someplace like the Columbia, I'm a little more cautious with weather and conditions. You may discover a whole new sense of self-reliance that you enjoy. Good luck

John

I typically go solo, although others may be around. That's true in the ocean, and elsewhere. Then again, I typically hunt solo as well, whether it's for feathers or for big game in remote areas. Yes, I've been in some tough situations on land and in the water--white out at 12000' and a long night under a tarp after a balmy day--but with a bit of food, plenty of water, and fire, it's something I _almost_ enjoyed. The key is knowing what the needed skills are and developing them, having the necessary equipment (note that I'm a minimalist within the bounds of (usually) good sense), the ability/willingness to adjust to unexpected conditions/situations, and reality-based confidence in one's own capabilities (not over confidence!).

I've made mistakes, and mother nature can be very unforgiving.

I've been asked "but what if...?" a number of times. For hunting it's easy:  I feel safe, often safer, relying on my own skills and judgement. Kayaking solo in potentially risky areas--and the ocean off the Oregon coast _always_ qualifies--is a more difficult to justify, but I like going solo most of the time. So, I wait for conditions within my comfort zone and don't commit to a launch (anymore!) until I've watched the conditions, regardless of my plans and the drive time, and what others are doing.

I'm certainly trying to 'contain' risks and a big part of that is skills, knowledge and experience. I don't want to sound cavalier about it, but in the end if doing what I really enjoy is my last act, I'm good with that.

 dress for the occasion, i.e. immersion=drysuit/pfd.    communication... take ur radio and cell phone just in case.  make sure u can self rescue.  in case of water in the hull have a siphon or sponge in the hull. don`t go out if it looks iffy to YOU. if u do go stay near if conditions get worse.  go with others til u r comfortable on ur own, know ur limits. use to bother me going alone, lakes rivers fine  ocean? scary. I still post invites if enuf time. but if it takes going out there alone to go u gotta do what ya gotta do.

u have been out there with a buddy....pick ur conditions that it was like when u went then and go, pretend in ur mind that ur bud is with u. u know how to self rescue. u have means to communicate to someone somewhere if things go south. u have a gps on ur f.f. maybe even a handheld backup. pick an area where others are at least a powerboater or 2 around in case u do end up needing some kind of assistance. u`ve done it with a buddy. u can do this just like lots of others.    its just a big lake.   

I haven't seen this posted yet, but I highly suggest that you file a float plan with someone (or more) that cares about you for each trip. 

This can be as simple as a text to them (and confirmed by them) including but not limited to:
-Where you plan to be including what body of water.
-What you are planning to do.
-How much area you planning to cover or could cover.
-How long you plan to be on the water. 
-Color of kayak, and clothing.

Be sure to contact this same person(s) when you are safely back off the water for their sanity, and your safety.
You can discuss how long you want them to wait for your "off the water" contact before they try to contact you, and/or for when they should contact authorities that you may need help.

Other things to consider before hitting the water alone, especially if this will be sporty water, or ocean.
-Verify your VHF battery is fully charged (maybe carry a backup battery).
-Verify your Phone is fully charged.
-Once on the water, maybe hail out a radio check on a few local channels to see if you have anyone else in the a
 area with their ears on.
-Carry an appropriately stocked first aid kit.
-Carry a highly visible non electronic compass, in the event fog rolls in - and trust it!
-Like Ron used to do, have both a floating 4'-6' bow and stern line with a small float on the end in the water in the event you dump and it's windy.  This could give you another chance to grab the kayak before it blows/drifts out of your reach. 

Be safe, have fun, and make it back home. 

There is a lot of excellent advice in previous posts.  I think that the bottom line is, don't go fishing by yourself unless you feel comfortable doing it.  More specifically, don't go fishing by yourself in a particular situation unless you feel confident that you have the skills to fish by yourself safely in that situation, you have adequate equipment and clothing to fish by yourself safely in that situation, you have developed enough good judgment to determine whether is will be safe for you to fish by yourself in that particular situation, and you enjoy fishing by yourself.  If you don't feel safe and happy fishing by yourself, don't do it.  It's safer to fish with one or more other people, because if one of you gets in trouble, the others can help.  If you look at a situation and think, "I can fish safely by myself in this situation," then go for it.

While I enjoy fishing and doing other outdoor sports with friends for social reasons, I like hiking, hunting, kayaking, and fishing by myself, and I do a lot of it, including solo multi-day kayak trips.  I recognize that doing outdoor sports by yourself adds some risk, but I accept that risk.

I think Pete says it well - if you don't feel confident- don't.  Otherwise, if you feel genuinely confident - go for it! 

I also often enjoy hunting, fishing, kayaking, and other outdoor activities alone, but only when I'm comfortable and confident.  If it starts  to worry me, that is when I head home or find others to go with. 
Prepare and trust your instincts. 

And I've also found it wise to trust my wife's instincts...

There's a difference between the voice in your head that says "DON'T GO!" and simple fear.  Fear is there to keep you on your toes.  Embrace it, use it, but push your limits.  In the end, it's the things we didn't do that we regret the most. 

-Mark-

Figure out the worst that could go wrong solo and have a plan to deal with it. I'll go offshore a mile because I know I can swim a mile to shore. Same with solo in the Columbia. Is it guaranteed that I would survive? No, but your drive to the launch has risks as well. Do you have some type of additional protection nobody else has when you drive down the freeway?

I would suggest a class or even a tour with a reliable kayak outfitter in the waters you are interested in.  Maybe NA has one or even Alder Creek (not sure how Hobie friendly AC is though)

We all know you can fish!   But maybe you and a lot of us could use use some on the water instruction/safety tips from a pro.  These days it seems many people are trying to be safe by having the latest techno crap with them, but don't have the fundamental skills to save their asses when it hits the fan.  Not just kayakers of course.

These days it seems many people are trying to be safe by having the latest techno crap with them, but don't have the fundamental skills to save their asses when it hits the fan.  Not just kayakers of course.

How true!

I think it's important to have the fundamental skills When the S@!t hits the fan, but knowing you have the skills to draw upon is a tricky proposition.  I've done lots of solo trips on land, backpacking with grizzlies, international solo travel hiking and fishing and being in the back country.  Water based kayak fishing is just a different beast with the unforgiving nature of water and weather.  Ocean kayaking adds yet another challenge - might be a while before I do solo ocean trips.  I've got safety gear and know how to use it.  Thanks for all the commentary and insight, Much appreciated.