FYI I have never even tried putting the seat in the high position. Even calm seas have a rolling swell that can surprise your center of gravity when shifting around. Bow hatch is just lashing hooks and eyelets. I have replacements in stock, bring it by for an easy fix.

Thanks for swallowing your pride and putting your story out there so that everyone can learn from your experience, including me. I'm not a rookie at this point, but I'm closer to being a rookie than an expert :D. By starting this thread you've helped raise everyone's safety awareness, and that is a very good thing :cheers1:

Glad you are okay. Get back on the horse. Surf launches still give me heibi jeibis.

Good news practice makes perfect.

First time kayak fishing was....an experience.
 

Props to Andy for all the help in offering to get this guy back on the water. Be sure and support OEX, they host this sight and are all around the most helpful dudes out there.

I would take your kayak to Andy (Iceman) at OEX Sunset. Have him look at your set up so you can get the rod leashes, bilge pump and replacement parts. Once you get all dialed in, drop it in the water 30' from his shop and let the test trial commence. Maybe scale back on your rods and reels as far as cost.

On the upside, you'll never have a worse time fishing ever again.

As long as you come back safe, the rest sounds like a pretty valuable learning experience.

Welcome back!

Wow Andy thats awesome. thank you!! i just shot you a PM about the battery & hatch.

yes my neoprene bow seal was on but i feel like it doesn't do much if the front hatch isn't secured down by the bungie. i could be wrong..

i'll definitely look into a case for my phone...when i eventually get another one. lol

thanks again! OEX is the best!

Next time you decide to head out shoot me a PM and I'll at least come out to give you some pointers and look over your setup if I'm not able to head out..

The pier area while good to learn to launch if no surf is not really an area to fish.. But at least coast guard is right there with a boat to come out in a minute if anything does happen..

There are far easier launches with far better fishing nearby that are unknown to 95% of kayakers..

Good luck

I am new to kayaking too, so I have been taking my "less expensive" rod and reels. Even with all leashed.

I plan to do some self-rescue using a float at the paddle when the water gets warmer inside the jetty at Redondo beach.

Ocean must be respected at all times.

Completely agree with self-rescue practice. For me, it was harder than it looks on all those YouTube videos. Also do it with your PFD on. My PFD kept getting caught on the edge of my yak and I couldn't pull myself in until I figured out what was going on.

Wow man, glad you are ok and made it back to shore with your kayak. This is why we usually recommend the harbor so you can get your gear dialed in.

I recommended minimal gear for this exact reason. I wouldnt even bring your bait tank with you for your first few times out. Extra stuff to manage and loose if you flip.

Leave the bait tank at home next time, leash your rod, buy a small waterproof box from wallmart for 8$ for your keys and cellphone, fix the hatch and use and old boogie board leash for your paddle leash. That should cover all your basics.

Hope you stick with the sport, and keep at it. It can only get better from here!:paddleersmilie:

Hard to imagine that much water getting past the neoprene seal that fast. Maybe it entered through the center hatch? I wouldn't think a dunking would kill the battery either.

i'm guessing that the way the water got into the hull so fast was when i flipped the kayak to get back in? I honestly have no clue but when i tried to get back in the yak, i immediately flipped and that was when i saw the kayak on its side. The only logical explanation was the front hatch not being completely secured since everything else (including the center hatch) was shut.

The battery along with my phone and everything else was completely submerged until i realized it about 1-2 minutes later. could've been longer. I honestly don't recall, everything happened in what felt like 10 seconds.

i really appreciate all the support guys and i'm not going to give up. If anything, it'll be that much sweeter when i finally catch a fish.

Thanks again to Andy at OEX for helping me out and i'll se you guys at the MBC with a trout set up. lol :D