With the warmer weather just around the corner and the recent interest on the site amongst newbie kayakers I've rustled up 10 tips off the top of my head to help those who are starting out. I hope at least some of it will be of use.

1. KNOW YOUR KAYAK: You need to make sure that if you fall in you can get back on your yak. (I'll assume you have a sit on top)-take the time to practice in shallow water that you can easily stand up in. Also get to grips with the stability by rocking sideways in shallow water to see what it can take. A lot of fishing "sit on tops" are so stable that you can sit sideways on them and fish with your legs dangling in the water.

2. KEEP WARM: Sea water is cold at the best of times so be prepared to be able to cope if you get a dunking. Cold water in the winter is a killer and you won't last long in it sadly. For winter and spring fishing a drysuit will keep you warm and dry. In the summer a wetsuit or shortie wetsuit will suffice. Even on a summers day a cool wind can get up on the sea and chill you.
3. FLOTATION DEVICE-make sure you wear a buoyancy aid or lifejacket at all times whilst out on the yak. An automatically firing lifejacket will keep your head above water if you end up in the sea. A buoyancy aid is good and will keep you afloat but cannot guarantee your head will be out of the water if you are unconscious. I use a buoyancy aid-that's just my choice. ......Read More