Swell Next Weekend - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

yellowtail55 · 05-14-2007, 02:36 PM

The swell is predicted to increase next weekend.
http://www.wetsand.com/swellwatch/sw...5&SubCatID=295

I had previously planned on launching next Saturday. Is the swell going to be too big? What size swell do you consider to be the minimum for a semi-safe launch? Any adivce would be greatly appreciated.

tylerdurden · 05-14-2007, 02:46 PM

This pretty much only applies to avenida de la playa...
I have never seen LJ shores unlaunchable. Some days are just more dry than others. Sometimes waves can be breaking past the end of the pier, while the launch is ankle slappers, while others times the launch can have 4' sets just like the pier. Just go for it, you never know until you show up.

yellowtail55 · 05-14-2007, 02:54 PM

I don't mind getting wet...it's my expensive rods/reels that I'm worried about. I guess I'll strap them to the sides and leash them to help prevent damage.

lamb · 05-14-2007, 03:09 PM

I wouldn’t take that forecast to hearth. I find majority of surfing oriented weather sites to be scary to look at. Think about it – they always hope for more surf.

Quite the opposite from us.

Wet sand was forecasting 6-8 ft last few days, and we had 1 and 2 fters at the launch.

That is a piece of cake at LJ. Sometimes it can be tricky in the dark, as you don’t really see what you’re paddling into. But even if you pick a bigger set, you can plow through it. You will get wet… Definitely make sure your rods are tied and your gear is secured, so nothing gets washed away from the deck as you cut through them.

The swell forecast looks on a bigger side for Friday, but we’ll know better the closer we get.

Around noon, I stopped by the launch on my way back from Sorrento Valley. It was flat, 1 ft-ers or less.
I saw a kayak diver with a pretty story.

dmr · 05-14-2007, 03:14 PM

The predictions as of now are for a relatively short period NW swell. It could be on the fun side. Maybe the event organizers could take some video and stills and sell them like they do at amusement park rollercoasters.

lamb · 05-14-2007, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmr

The predictions as of now are for a relatively short period NW swell. It could be on the fun side. Maybe the event organizers could take some video and stills and sell them like they do at amusement park rollercoasters.

lol

Thanks Derek for making the potential tourney crowd feel all warm and fuzzy about signing up.

Hello WCW Kick Off organizing committee - is there going to be a cut off? Suppose if the swell happens to be 8 ft at the Pier on Saturday, can we please have the tourney postponed for Sunday, or whenever it lays down?

WCW can still start on 5/19, so Brad, Tyler and other Brave-Hearts can fish on that 8 ft Saturday.

I ain't.

Jimm H · 05-14-2007, 03:30 PM

At La Jolla, the incoming direction of the swell is as much or more of a factor than the size. as noted, big swell doesn't equate to big surf a t the launch unless the angle is straight in.

And, I have seen unlaunchable surf at La Jolla, with 6 ft. breakers 100 yards out. Usually only see that during the winter, though. That's always a good morning to head to breakfast.

madscientist · 05-14-2007, 03:55 PM

Is this West Coast Whoppers or West Coast Wimps?

Don't fret guys, forecast doesn't look bad at all. Surf forecasts are irrelevant at LJ except as JimmH pointed out. NW swell is the only time to worry and even then, I don't think I've seen unlaunchable, though I have seen unlandable (at least upright) at LJ.

I'd say the only reason to cancel would be sustained wind over 15, unless its out of the east. Or thunderstorms.

FISHIONADO · 05-14-2007, 04:07 PM

I saw a guy paddle out through 5' surf three months after his open heart surgery and didn't even get wet. Grow a pair. lol Totally kidding, it's one of those confidence things, if you think you can make it you probably will, if you don't think you can make it, go to breakfast with JimmH. If you are not sure than leave the tackle in the truck and go play in the waves to find your own limits. Keep it straight and keep paddling, if the footwells flood with water and it gets really heavy no problem, it's a little slower but actually much more stable, just keep it pointed straight and keep moving. No time for hesitation, paddle constantly. Good luck with it and I hope you catch a big one in the tourny.

I'm visiting China for business, didn't work out this time but my counterpart over here said he could hook me up with some type of kayak/canoe and some tackle next time. The pearl river delta and inshore near Hong Kong looks as fishy as LJ.

05-14-2007, 02:36 PM	#1
yellowtail55 The Highlander Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 44	Swell Next Weekend The swell is predicted to increase next weekend. http://www.wetsand.com/swellwatch/sw...5&SubCatID=295 I had previously planned on launching next Saturday. Is the swell going to be too big? What size swell do you consider to be the minimum for a semi-safe launch? Any adivce would be greatly appreciated.

05-14-2007, 02:46 PM	#2
tylerdurden Bad Clone Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 874	This pretty much only applies to avenida de la playa... I have never seen LJ shores unlaunchable. Some days are just more dry than others. Sometimes waves can be breaking past the end of the pier, while the launch is ankle slappers, while others times the launch can have 4' sets just like the pier. Just go for it, you never know until you show up. __________________ MLPA, if you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem Let the Fish and Game Commission know what you think about the proposed maps. Be ready for December 9th and 10th.

05-14-2007, 03:09 PM	#4
lamb Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 2,563	I wouldn’t take that forecast to hearth. I find majority of surfing oriented weather sites to be scary to look at. Think about it – they always hope for more surf. Quite the opposite from us. Wet sand was forecasting 6-8 ft last few days, and we had 1 and 2 fters at the launch. That is a piece of cake at LJ. Sometimes it can be tricky in the dark, as you don’t really see what you’re paddling into. But even if you pick a bigger set, you can plow through it. You will get wet… Definitely make sure your rods are tied and your gear is secured, so nothing gets washed away from the deck as you cut through them. The swell forecast looks on a bigger side for Friday, but we’ll know better the closer we get. Around noon, I stopped by the launch on my way back from Sorrento Valley. It was flat, 1 ft-ers or less. I saw a kayak diver with a pretty story. __________________ [------------------------ <)))< ....b-a-a-a-a

05-14-2007, 03:30 PM	#7
Jimm H Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Rancho Bernardo-San Diego Posts: 117	What direction swell? At La Jolla, the incoming direction of the swell is as much or more of a factor than the size. as noted, big swell doesn't equate to big surf a t the launch unless the angle is straight in. And, I have seen unlaunchable surf at La Jolla, with 6 ft. breakers 100 yards out. Usually only see that during the winter, though. That's always a good morning to head to breakfast.

05-14-2007, 03:55 PM	#8
madscientist Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 1,906	Is this West Coast Whoppers or West Coast Wimps? Don't fret guys, forecast doesn't look bad at all. Surf forecasts are irrelevant at LJ except as JimmH pointed out. NW swell is the only time to worry and even then, I don't think I've seen unlaunchable, though I have seen unlandable (at least upright) at LJ. I'd say the only reason to cancel would be sustained wind over 15, unless its out of the east. Or thunderstorms. __________________

05-14-2007, 02:54 PM	#3
yellowtail55 The Highlander Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 44	I don't mind getting wet...it's my expensive rods/reels that I'm worried about. I guess I'll strap them to the sides and leash them to help prevent damage.

05-14-2007, 03:14 PM	#5
dmr Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Carlsbad Posts: 155	The predictions as of now are for a relatively short period NW swell. It could be on the fun side. Maybe the event organizers could take some video and stills and sell them like they do at amusement park rollercoasters.

05-14-2007, 04:07 PM	#9
FISHIONADO Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 698	I saw a guy paddle out through 5' surf three months after his open heart surgery and didn't even get wet. Grow a pair. lol Totally kidding, it's one of those confidence things, if you think you can make it you probably will, if you don't think you can make it, go to breakfast with JimmH. If you are not sure than leave the tackle in the truck and go play in the waves to find your own limits. Keep it straight and keep paddling, if the footwells flood with water and it gets really heavy no problem, it's a little slower but actually much more stable, just keep it pointed straight and keep moving. No time for hesitation, paddle constantly. Good luck with it and I hope you catch a big one in the tourny. I'm visiting China for business, didn't work out this time but my counterpart over here said he could hook me up with some type of kayak/canoe and some tackle next time. The pearl river delta and inshore near Hong Kong looks as fishy as LJ.