File a float plan every time, either with someone at home or someone you can trust.

I mostly fish in the dark of night, some big and open water at times.
Your float plan should include...

Float plan
Where launching from, where you may be parking, where you intend to paddle/pedal, what alternative routes you might take, and what time you should be finished, together with a followup phone call to the person who has your flaot plan.

If you don't call them within a reasonable amount of time after that, they should be ready to contact the Coast Guard.