Kayaking For The Birds

It is important that your tools float or are tethered because you will eventually drop everything. If it doesn't float and isn't tethered you will only drop it once.
Some things already float, or will at least float long enough to retrieve them. I suggest float-testing everything before you use it so you will know.
Other things will not float without help. One thing that comes painfully to mind is the Grappler. We lost our first one on the first day of use. That hurt! (They are not cheap.) I made sure its replacement would not sink.
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To add flotation to the Grappler:

1. I wrapped it in a tube of pipe insulation and put some cable ties around it just in case the stickum on the insulation didn't hold. If you do this, there are two kinds of pipe insulation that you can get at your local big box building supply store. One type is a closed cell foam that is kind of firm and stiff, the other kind is made of foam rubber and is soft and flexible. As you can imagine the soft, flexible type is more expensive, but even so it is only a few bucks for enough to wrap your handle and with enough left over to replace it when it wears out. So get the softer type. It will be easier to hold, easier on your hands, and should last a long time in the sun.
2. Cut it to fit most of the straight part of the Grappler, but leave a bit at each end.
3. Place it around the Grappler before removing the adhesive covering.
4. When you've got it just how you want it, peel back a little bit of covering from the tap at each side, then hold the two ends together and gradually peel them the rest of the way, pressing the tape lightly together as you go.
5. Now go back and press the tapes together firmly.
6. Put a cable tie at each end and one in the middle. Be careful not to tighten them too much or they will restrict the operation of the Grappler. If you do over-tighten, make note of how tight it is then cut it off and replace it with one that you do not pull as tight.