Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.
March 28, 2024, 04:31:58 PM

Login with username, password and session length

Recent Topics

[Today at 02:58:59 PM]

[Today at 01:13:46 PM]

[Today at 11:50:57 AM]

[Today at 11:49:33 AM]

[Today at 11:08:39 AM]

[March 27, 2024, 07:25:42 PM]

[March 27, 2024, 07:05:39 PM]

[March 27, 2024, 12:35:34 PM]

[March 27, 2024, 11:18:23 AM]

[March 26, 2024, 07:45:07 PM]

[March 26, 2024, 06:19:03 PM]

[March 26, 2024, 05:47:06 PM]

Support NCKA

Support the site by making a donation.

Topic: Camo vs Visibility in color of kayak?  (Read 4786 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

BigSurHunter

  • Sand Dab
  • **
  • View Profile
  • Location: Monterey
  • Date Registered: Jul 2018
  • Posts: 12
I am thinking about getting my own kayak. Probably 13'-14' range for Monterey Bay and Big Sur coastal. Someone said 'so you're going to get a camo or toned down color, right?' No I was really going to get something in bright green, orange, or even yellow because I want to be seen when I am out there. This will be for spearfishing purposes. So do you think it really matters? Thanks.


turb0_tac0s

  • Sand Dab
  • **
  • View Profile
  • Location: San Jose
  • Date Registered: Aug 2018
  • Posts: 16
Camo does have its advantages for fresh water and duck hunting, for ocean stuff I'd get something visible


TrialandError

  • Sand Dab
  • **
  • View Profile
  • Location: San Carlos
  • Date Registered: Mar 2018
  • Posts: 63
Camo doesn't show as much wear and tear.  You may need a flag or diver down signal since you won't be on your kayak all the time. 


DavidMel

  • Salmon
  • ***
  • View Profile
  • Location: Roseville CA
  • Date Registered: Mar 2018
  • Posts: 769
Color is always a personal preference.  Keep in mind that sharks are known to bite the color yellow most frequently when it is not a natural prey item.   
David

Vibe Sea Ghost 110

" I believe in America."


FishingAddict

  • Sea Lion
  • ****
  • View Profile
  • Location: Fremont
  • Date Registered: Nov 2007
  • Posts: 4710
Color is always a personal preference.  Keep in mind that sharks are known to bite the color yellow most frequently when it is not a natural prey item.   

Hmmm  Recent reports show color doesn't matter.



2018 Hobie Revolution 13 Cheeesy Orange Papaya
2019 Hobie Revolution 11 Seagrass Green


  • Cabeza de Martillo
  • View Profile
  • Location: Costa de Oro, BCS
  • Date Registered: Jan 2011
  • Posts: 7707
Color is always a personal preference.  Keep in mind that sharks are known to bite the color yellow most frequently when it is not a natural prey item.   

I'm pretty sure that most of the time they are only attacking a silhouette when hitting something on the surface.


I am thinking about getting my own kayak. Probably 13'-14' range for Monterey Bay and Big Sur coastal. Someone said 'so you're going to get a camo or toned down color, right?' No I was really going to get something in bright green, orange, or even yellow because I want to be seen when I am out there. This will be for spearfishing purposes. So do you think it really matters? Thanks.

Get something bright if you are diving  :thumright:
You want to be able to see your yak when you are in the water.
« Last Edit: August 22, 2018, 09:00:17 AM by Cabeza de Martillo »
Pronounced in Spanish  ka·be·za de mar·t·yo
Translates to Hammerhead in English for my Gringo amigos.
....and yes that's me with a 6ft. green moray in the avatar.

"Spearos before Hos" - Silent Hunter

"Give your son a fish and you'll feed him for a day.
Teach him how to spearfish and he'll feed you for a lifetime" - Cabeza de Martillo

Proud Papa of ...........
2018 JAOTY Lucas aka Baja Ninja
2018 JDOTY Noah aka Silent Hunter


crash

  • Sea Lion
  • ****
  • View Profile
  • Location: Eureka
  • Date Registered: Dec 2007
  • Posts: 6584
We like to make fun of yum yum yellow but that’s not really a thing.
"SCIENCE SUCKS" - bmb


BigJim

  • A-Hull
  • Manatee
  • *****
  • No white flags.
  • View Profile
  • Location: Watsonville
  • Date Registered: Jun 2009
  • Posts: 15216
But black looks cool?

 :smt002 :smt005

HighViz is safer...but any yak with a flag on it can be spotted when you pop your head up in between dives.

I would say go with whatever you like...

 :smt006

Sincerely,

Jim


~GS4  2010-1st~
~DOTY 2013-1st~
~T2B2 2015-1st~
*DOTY: 2012-5th~2014-5th~2015-4th~2016-7th~2017-4th~2018-5th~2019-5th~2020-2nd*


DavidMel

  • Salmon
  • ***
  • View Profile
  • Location: Roseville CA
  • Date Registered: Mar 2018
  • Posts: 769
David

Vibe Sea Ghost 110

" I believe in America."


DavidMel

  • Salmon
  • ***
  • View Profile
  • Location: Roseville CA
  • Date Registered: Mar 2018
  • Posts: 769
The report is about yellow bags of fish dragged underwater (contrast-based), which seems different than the silhouette-based GWS attacks that are typical on kayaks. (I'm no expert here.)

and the rest of the article....(I'm not an expert either but I would say there may be some credibility to the "myth")

DAN findings
Diver’s Alert Network (DAN) has also addressed this question and concluded that there is actually some truth to it. Sharks don’t necessarily prefer yellow in particular, but a number of shark species are attracted to any high-contrast color, such as yellow, orange, or red. These colors are easier for the shark to see, especially in murky water or up against a bright surface.

The fact that we’ve identified yellow as the most shark-attracting color has to do with its contrast quality. It’s often chosen for ocean-rescue equipment, such as emergency-flotation devices and life rafts, for the very same reason; high contrast means it’s easy to spot.

So while there’s no proof that sharks prefer any given color, it is true that they prefer high-contrast colors. So when diving in areas sharks are known be, consider wearing black, blue, or dark gray exposure suits and gear, and avoid shiny, metallic elements that might attract both sharks and other marine predators — there’s a reason fishing lures are made of shiny metal. Save the high-contrast color for signaling devices, such as a yellow or orange DSMB.
David

Vibe Sea Ghost 110

" I believe in America."


yatzmail@yahoo.com

  • Guest
I’d would let the price and availability dictate the color selection :)


Sin Coast

  • AOTY committee
  • Global Moderator
  • Pat Kuhl
  • View Profile Turf Image
  • Location: Mbay
  • Date Registered: Jul 2006
  • Posts: 14642
Those camo colors are designed to catch fishermen. Because they look cooler (I guess). The reality is fish don’t care what color your kayak is—especially if you’re in the pacific ocean. I prefer red or yellow or other colors that can easily be seen by boaters. Consider how foggy it is around here too.
Photobucket Sucks!

 Team A-Hulls

~old enough to know better, young enough to not care~


PISCEAN

  • no kooks please!
  • Sea Lion
  • ****
  • humming to the bear...
  • View Profile
  • Location: th' Doon, CA
  • Date Registered: Jun 2005
  • Posts: 8205
I am normally into camo and earth colors, except when it comes to a kayak.
I would suggest a bright color for safety.

if you are going to consider sharks in your color choice I ..uh ...I just don't have words for that. I'm going to just pretend that wasn't mentioned.

As the others have said, if you go for a low key hull color (or even blue/white) that is fine, but a diver flag is a very good idea.
pronounced "Pie-see-in"
***
"Every day is a fishing day, but not every day is a catching day"-Countryman
***
sponsored by: Piscean Artworks
*****
Randomness rules the universe. Perseverance is the only path to success..but luck sometimes works too.


TheKeeneroo

  • Salmon
  • ***
  • Eric
  • View Profile FIN + FORAGE
  • Location: Pacific Grove
  • Date Registered: Feb 2018
  • Posts: 781
Color is always a personal preference.  Keep in mind that sharks are known to bite the color yellow most frequently when it is not a natural prey item.   

wish i had known this before buying a yellow and green yak. =P
"The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails." - William Arthur Ward

There's definitely a fish under THIS rock....

Eric, Pacific Grove
Instagram - @thekeeneroo
Facebook - @Ekeener1
Level 1 Free Dive Cert, EANx
FIN + FORAGE - Founder                  www.finandforage.com


TheKeeneroo

  • Salmon
  • ***
  • Eric
  • View Profile FIN + FORAGE
  • Location: Pacific Grove
  • Date Registered: Feb 2018
  • Posts: 781
I am thinking about getting my own kayak. Probably 13'-14' range for Monterey Bay and Big Sur coastal. Someone said 'so you're going to get a camo or toned down color, right?' No I was really going to get something in bright green, orange, or even yellow because I want to be seen when I am out there. This will be for spearfishing purposes. So do you think it really matters? Thanks.

Color aside, hit me up when you want to go yak diving!
"The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails." - William Arthur Ward

There's definitely a fish under THIS rock....

Eric, Pacific Grove
Instagram - @thekeeneroo
Facebook - @Ekeener1
Level 1 Free Dive Cert, EANx
FIN + FORAGE - Founder                  www.finandforage.com


 

anything