Christmas Gift List for a Newbie

My first well-equipped year for kayak fishing will be 2012 -- now that my husband gave me the long-desired Hobie Revo 13 for my birthday.  He could use some suggestions for holiday gifts now, and I thought I'd ask the forum for their best suggestions.  I'll primarily be fishing in the saltwater off Alaska's Southcentral coast: all species of Pacific salmon, halibut, rockfish and lingcod. My current list, in pencil, includes:

1. Safety flag.
2. Collapsible net.
3. Baitcaster with a depth counter.
4. Extra rod leashes
5. Short-handled gaff

What do you think I should subtract from the list, and what needs to be added? I've been quietly reading over your shoulders for a while now, and know that many of you are generous with your advice born of experience.  I'm counting on that to keep me away from useless acquisitions.

For starters;
Dry suit
VHF Radio
Emergency light(strobe)

I'll second the Dry Suit and the VHF radio (needs DSC, GPS, one-button emergency call, waterproof, and floats). 

Something like this: http://www.standardhorizon.com/indexVS.cfm?cmd=DisplayProducts&ProdCatID=85&encProdID=CE54753DAEF82FF5498D5C3153D6E29B&DivisionID=3&isArchived=0

I'd add, hoodie, gloves, booties, and a lot of fleece to go under the dry suit.

I've used a couple of collapsible nets then changed to a simple fixed net.

Can't beat a fishfinder/GPS.

Straight blade safety knife (on PFD)



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Waterproof camera for trophy photos
#1 item: best PFD you can get
Fish finder
Neoprene gloves
"Spot" emergency satellite beacon
Waterproof case for phone, keys, etc
Emergency collapsible paddle
Rod holders

Congrats on the Revo, you are going to have so much fun. Post the pics as you outfit your Hobie and catch your fish!

Welcome to the gang.


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I'll second the Dry Suit and the VHF radio (needs DSC, GPS, one-button emergency call, waterproof, and floats). 

Something like this: http://www.standardhorizon.com/indexVS.cfm?cmd=DisplayProducts&ProdCatID=85&encProdID=CE54753DAEF82FF5498D5C3153D6E29B&DivisionID=3&isArchived=0

Now, I'm not even as far along in the game as akfishergal, as I don't even have a kayak yet, but I'm not so sure that I'd put a priority on a bouyant VHF.  Since it's only useful to you if it's within reach it would seem like it would be a natural piece of kit to have attached to your body by a lanyard.  If that's the case then bouyancy is a moot point, no? 

Not trying to be a smartass.  Just trying to figure out where priorities should go.

Being that a Handheld VHS is an expensive pice of equiptment and you could get one that floats for the same price of one that does not float i would say get the one that floats.That is if all things are equal as far as use and fuction. If you forget to hook up the laynayd, have a garage sale in the surf, or it just comes unhooked from your pfd you could retrieve your radio. This would save it from going to Davie Jones Locker. I am also of the mind of getting a good knife. Here is the one I got new from ebay for $9.

I'll second the Dry Suit and the VHF radio (needs DSC, GPS, one-button emergency call, waterproof, and floats).  .

Something like this: http://www.standardhorizon.com/indexVS.cfm?cmd=DisplayProducts&ProdCatID=85&encProdID=CE54753DAEF82FF5498D5C3153D6E29B&DivisionID=3&isArchived=0

Now, I'm not even as far along in the game as akfishergal, as I don't even have a kayak yet, but I'm not so sure that I'd put a priority on a bouyant VHF.  Since it's only useful to you if it's within reach it would seem like it would be a natural piece of kit to have attached to your body by a lanyard.  If that's the case then bouyancy is a moot point, no? 

Not trying to be a smartass.  Just trying to figure out where priorities should go.

Now, I'm not even as far along in the game as akfishergal, as I don't even have a kayak yet, but I'm not so sure that I'd put a priority on a bouyant VHF.  Since it's only useful to you if it's within reach it would seem like it would be a natural piece of kit to have attached to your body by a lanyard.  If that's the case then bouyancy is a moot point, no? 

I suggested the VHF to akfishergal because of where she is fishing.  I assume the water is generally colder and the boat traffic more sparse.  A VHF would be a lower priority in Puget Sound, but IMHO still important, particularly if you fish solo.

Put it on your PFD.  The belt clip is clipped to a strap on my PFD though it has fallen off while loading.  This winter I am going to paint it ORANGE.  Safety lanyard is a good idea.

For other reasons I'll be getting a PLB this winter too, probably an ACR or Kannad.
http://www.kannad.com/
http://www.acrelectronics.com/

A PLB would provide the safety benefits of the aforementioned VHF.

you can never go wrong with safety gear as a gift

add a bilge pump to that list. might not think you will ever need it but hobies tend to crack around the drive wells. stuff the hull with pool noodles, keep the pump handy, keep your wits about you, you should be fine.

floating vhf = definite yes. even then leash it to your pfd or your boat.  if you dont get a floating one, get the waterproof radio bag for hand held vhf units, attach with lanyard a crab pot float about the size of a large fist, insert radio. DAMHIK x 2

I reckon it gets mighty chilly in your neck of the woods, with some days not given to fishing.  Something to keep the stoke alive is always good.  Some DVDs or a scrip to Kayak Angler magazine would be swell stocking stuffers.

Brilliant -- all of you, thanks so much.  I've been floating rivers all over Alaska in an Aire Lynx inflatible kayak for about ten years, so some of the safety gear you mention is already in hand from those trips, near and remote.  Semi-dry suit, excellent PFDs, dry bags, warm layers, neoprene gloves and sharp safety blade...  Already I do about five floating / fly-fishing excursions annually and I'm well equipped for them. 

The emergency collapsible paddle seems prudent, along with the VHF and strobe.  Hadn't thought of a bilge pump, or pool noodles for that matter. I'm pretty level-headed outdoors, and the few times I've flipped my Lynx I've always managed to think clearly through the dangers on my way to safety. But my experience is predominantly in flowing waters -- so your thoughts on how to best prepare for saltwater adventures are very welcome. 

On the videos, any titles you'd recommend?  And I suppose I'll eventually want a decent camera -- although I've sent so many to the bottoms of rivers over the years that I'm not in a hurry for that. 

I bought a FujFILM XP20 waterproof camera, I put two cheap floats on it, just in case. I use it for quick closeups and short videos. Got it for $139 at Costco.

I also got a GoPro 960 which I mount on a paint roller extension. It works great for just turning it on and let it catch whatever happens.




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Brilliant -- all of you, thanks so much.  I've been floating rivers all over Alaska in an Aire Lynx inflatible kayak for about ten years, so some of the safety gear you mention is already in hand from those trips, near and remote.  Semi-dry suit, excellent PFDs, dry bags, warm layers, neoprene gloves and sharp safety blade...  Already I do about five floating / fly-fishing excursions annually and I'm well equipped for them. 

The emergency collapsible paddle seems prudent, along with the VHF and strobe.  Hadn't thought of a bilge pump, or pool noodles for that matter. I'm pretty level-headed outdoors, and the few times I've flipped my Lynx I've always managed to think clearly through the dangers on my way to safety. But my experience is predominantly in flowing waters -- so your thoughts on how to best prepare for saltwater adventures are very welcome. 

On the videos, any titles you'd recommend?  And I suppose I'll eventually want a decent camera -- although I've sent so many to the bottoms of rivers over the years that I'm not in a hurry for that. 

On the floatation of VHF and Camera I have found the floatation to be more important for the camera. I prefer a small VHF so I got the smallest one that had the longest battery life. I tethered it to my PFD and then clip it to one of the straps on my PFD. The camera on the other hand is something I don't want tethered and use more often. I tied a small float to the camera so that it will float in the even that I drop it ... and I have dropped it!
Have fun!

REI just sent out a coupon for 30% off any REI branded product (code: REISAVE). The Heavyweight Polartec Power Dry Long Underwear bottoms normally cost $44.50 with coupon knocks them down to $31.15.

Makes for a good base layer. I wear tights under mine and have never had a chilly keister. Available in men's or women's.

http://www.rei.com/product/819176/rei-heavyweight-polartec-power-dry-long-underwear-bottoms-mens

REI just sent out a coupon for 30% off any REI branded product (code: REISAVE). The Heavyweight Polartec Power Dry Long Underwear bottoms normally cost $44.50 with coupon knocks them down to $31.15.

Makes for a good base layer. I wear tights under mine and have never had a chilly keister. Available in men's or women's.

http://www.rei.com/product/819176/rei-heavyweight-polartec-power-dry-long-underwear-bottoms-mens

I have a pair of these and I hate them.  They are loose fitting, and in some ways under a pair of jeans they seem to wick heat away from me and make me colder.  Weird.  Also this is the "new PolarTec".  The old PolarTec was a stretch fleece which works very well to keep one warm, but does not have a fly.  At least these have a fly.

Aside: Flyless men's under garments are a plot to further emasculate men, further the politically correct myth that men and women are the same, and remove the natural, god-given advantages of being male. 

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20100421214233AATvLre