bluekayak:
Not sure I will be fishing from a kayak anymore but either way I wanted to leave something in my wake
I don’t believe in carrying a lot of gear but this is one of the essentials I don’t leave shore without. My yaks have sported a version of it since 1972 and it’s been needed more times than I can count
bluekayak:
The main thing here is being able to control your yak in the surf or whatever the situation. It’s true wherever you’re launching or landing but especially where there are kids surfers and dogs, and this is the best way to keep control
But off the top of my head I can also think of times it saved me a long swim back to shore without my yak
I’ll post a recipe with pics and a few comments about when and how to use it
bluekayak:
The main ingredient is 15-18’ hollow braid rope, which is visible and floats
You can use the 1/2” but I prefer the 3/4” which is harder to find nowadays. West Marine and OSH used to carry it but last I checked neither had it.
Thinner rope or cord will cut your wrist if you’re hanging onto a yak that’s getting tossed around
bluekayak:
Make a loop on both ends
For 1/2 inch you can probably get a FID to thread the end into the braid, not sure if they make one big enough to fit 3/4” rope
For the fatter rope I wrap off the end to make a pointed end to make threading it easier
bluekayak:
Spread open the braid 25 or 30” from the end and feed the end into it