New Ocean Fishing Buddy Checklist

When I go fishing with a new kayak fishing buddy, I check the following items are carried by my buddy for both of us to be able to enjoy fishing:

1.  Dress for proper immersion gear: wet or dry suit (no wader)
2.  PFD
3.  Know how to self-rescue
4.  VHF Radio

Other items to recommend: safety flag (for heavy boat traffic areas like HMB), safety whistle, water hand pump, GPS device (like FF or Mobile phone to able to find a safe path to return to the launch spot: I carry FF and mobile phone as a backup), hook removal kit...

Did I miss any items?

Paul

A compass is essential, and I'd recommend carrying a spare VHF radio...

I think your list is the bare minimum for me too - and extra equipment will vary depending on location/intention with the trip. 

I think a sound device is the law?  I keep a whistle clipped to my PFD. 

I carry a fishing pliers and side cutters for hook removal, and a small first aid kit for any patching that needs to be done underway. 

I don't have an analog compass because I always have both phone and FF easily accessible, and both have GPS.  I also generally don't stray too far from the launch or from the shore.  If in the ocean, I don't go more than about a mile offshore without a buddy.   

I also don't carry a hand pump because I don't have any hatches accessible from my seat.  I do have lots of foam pipe insulation stuffed into my hull though - so at least the kayak won't sink. 

Knife on PDF. Dedicated for rescue only. Don't use it to cut bait or anything else.

Knife on PDF. Dedicated for rescue only. Don't use it to cut bait or anything else.

Why not use it for anything else? I have a knife, but it multitasks...

Knife on PDF. Dedicated for rescue only. Don't use it to cut bait or anything else.

Why not use it for anything else? I have a knife, but it multitasks...

I carry a dedicated one to be 100% available during emergencies.  Also, I don't like using a knife while kayak fishing. I prefer using titanium shears (Cuda Snips, 8" Titanium Bonded) instead.
Just my personal preference.

Paul

Knife on PDF. Dedicated for rescue only. Don't use it to cut bait or anything else.

Why not use it for anything else? I have a knife, but it multitasks...

I want it to be 100% ready to go if I need it. If I get tangled when I flip, I don't want to be trying to cut things with a compromised knife edge.

Knife on PDF. Dedicated for rescue only. Don't use it to cut bait or anything else.

Why not use it for anything else? I have a knife, but it multitasks...

I want it to be 100% ready to go if I need it. If I get tangled when I flip, I don't want to be trying to cut things with a compromised knife edge.

I also subscribe to this reasoning.  Hell, at any given time, there may be 3-4 knives at different known, dependable locations on the yak that if I need to use one in a pinch, I know where to reach.  Like the time a whale grabbed my downrigger ball - my knife was there within seconds to cut the line before it spooled my downrigger. 

Knife on PDF. Dedicated for rescue only. Don't use it to cut bait or anything else.

Why not use it for anything else? I have a knife, but it multitasks...

I want it to be 100% ready to go if I need it. If I get tangled when I flip, I don't want to be trying to cut things with a compromised knife edge.

I also subscribe to this reasoning.  Hell, at any given time, there may be 3-4 knives at different known, dependable locations on the yak that if I need to use one in a pinch, I know where to reach.  Like the time a whale grabbed my downrigger ball - my knife was there within seconds to cut the line before it spooled my downrigger.

Great point. I have several knives and shears on board that are used for every day cutting duties. However, if you roll, those are useless to you. The dedicated one on the PDF will be there when the shit hits the fan!

Now here is the big question - if you are out with a buddy, what gear can you reasonably leave behind if you know they have one?

None.

None.

Exactly the answer I was expecting.

 Thank You! For the check off list for the safety equipment!!!! a newbie greatly appreciates your input on being safe on the water

Roy

My opinions tend to go against the current here so take this with a grain of salt

The typical gear junkie syndrome is to overload yaks which imo makes them unsafe

Same principle goes for safety gear as everything else you should keep it simple and know what to do in a pinch

My opinions tend to go against the current here so take this with a grain of salt

The typical gear junkie syndrome is to overload yaks which imo makes them unsafe

Same principle goes for safety gear as everything else you should keep it simple and know what to do in a pinch

I would say that is a red flag if someone new I'm gong out with is overloaded with stuff.