Now that the fall run for striped bass is underway in Gloucester and the rest of Massachusetts, anglers might want to consider some safety issues.
Short and stubby plastic ecreational kayaks are the norm these days for kayak fishing. But they have severe limitations. Rec kayaks lack both bulkheads and internal flotation. It doesn’t take much for them to swamp and sink.
Here’s a somewhat ponderous video that makes the point:
Read more about kayaking and kayak fishing at twitter.com/seakayak
Good Morning Gloucester 
Totally appreciate this post– have 3 kayaks with no internal flotation devices– always did worry about this aspect of things! Will seek to remedy this now, thks to this video! Go Adam and Joey:)
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I stuff a piece of Styrofoam flotsam in the front and back end of mine, and keep a hand pump in the hatch! Another piece of equipment I hardly ever see on kayaks is any kind of rope. You should also make sure that your paddle has floatation – mine is wrapped in a foam, but I’ve read that you can fill the paddle handle with closed cell spray-in foam to give it buoyancy. Recreational Kayaks may be fun, but it’s still a boat and things can go to hell very quickly, especially being so low to the water, so be prepared!
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Yes, styrofoam will do it or, there are floation items carried by any good kayak shop. As Bill Oconnor suggested, a rope is needed as well as either a tether or floation for the paddle and, if your going to paddle in saltwater, especially cold New England Saltwater, best to have a life jacket on(not under a coaming). I started paddling to fish when I lived in New Hampshire in 1998. I flipped several times in coastal waters. The first time almost was my last time. Since then, I’ve always worn an inflatable life jacket in he yak and it saved my baccon on at least two occasions.
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Flotsam Styrofoam is the green thing to do! 😉
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Another good option is closed-cell foam. It’s very durable, easy to cut with a saw and shape with a shure-form tool. It won’t absorb water. Also it doesn’t crumble in response to wear and tear.
Only drawback is that it’s relatively expensive.
twitter.com/seakayak
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And, as the Coast Guard asks paddlers each and every year, label the inside of your kayak with owner/contact info.
That way, should your kayak end up adrift off the beach because the tide took it, the Coast Guard (and other boaters) won’t assume there was someone in the kayak who now requires search and rescue.
twitter.com/seakayak
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Never though of that. I’m doing this one today!
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Label that kayak so the Coast Guard doesn’t have to do this:
http://coastguardnews.com/coast-guard-locates-kayak-seeks-assistance-in-identifying-owner/2011/09/14/
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There are kayaks especially designed for fishing. With rod holders and storage compartments.
Like the Wilderness Systems Tarpon series.
Recreational kayaks aren’t designed for the open ocean. More for hugging the shoreline of ponds.
A tether & name marked inside the kayak & Flotation bags are all good ideas.
Also a loud whistle attached to your PFD.
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