OEX Saying Farewell!

[OEX]

After 25 plus years of serving the kayak fishermen of Southern California and beyond OEX is retiring from the water sports industry. Though the years we have have enjoyed being part of this great community. We have made many friends here and truly appreciate all the support through the years.
Please stop by and see us one more time.


In the month of December all remaining inventory is slashed to sell. Everything must go, all kayaks, paddles, PFDs and fishing accessories as well as kayak stands, tools and store fixtures.

Thank you
Andy (Iceman) and Brent (Torgy)



OEX Sunset Beach
16910 Pacific Coast Highway
Sunset Beach CA 90742
562-592-0800

[lamb]

Andy, Brent - wow, that is some heavy news. Bummed to hear it; happy to see you guys wrapping up a big chapter of your lives.

Thanks for all you did for the sport and for the local SO Cal kayak fishing community over the years. I will cherish the memories we've made; that stuff is pure gold - it will never die. I am stoked to have you both in my life as friends.

I wish you both good and enduring health and lots of success in all your future endeavors.

[JohnMckroidJr]

Bummer! Sad to know of your closure. Evident from this forum, OEX was an integral part of the growth and success of Kayak Fishing in SoCal. Thank you for your contributions, and best wishes for following winds and smooth seas.

[Saba Slayer]

So Sad...
OEX was the kayak fishermans friend...when I was a Regional Hobie Fishing Team member Andy the legendary "Ice Man" at OEX Sunset was always one of my favorite dealers...so easy to work with and always understanding of the industry and an EXCELLENT FISHERMAN that could easily relate to the local kayak fishing scene and it's needs. THANKS...
When I was a CCA Board member OEX was always there for me as a wonderful supporter of our events and kayak tournaments.
What a great on the water location for demos and events...THANKS
Thank you Andy and Brent for all that you two and the other OEX members and stores have done over the years to support and help Kayak Fishing grow
And Lamb...thanks for the upkeep and work on the BWE website...

Give me a call anytime you want to wet a line up in the Redondo PV area Andy and I look forward to seeing you Trout fishing again in the Eastern Sierras...
I'll definitely stop by this month before you close...

Should we do a OTW kayak circle/paddle out and potluck for the demise of OEX Sunset?

[Iceman]

Some pics to confirm, we have been around quite awhile, back when every body paddled! I used to look at this forum several times throughout the day. Back when sharing info was (mostly) appreciated. Those were the glory days of kayak fishing in So Cal. We were all just figuring it out together. This site has been a huge part of it all. OEX put together a ton of great tournaments through the years and even more mother ship trips. We have always been happy and proud to be a part of it all. We are just moving on to the next chapter! Keep on fishing and from a kayak, I am sure you know, there is no better way!

[Sully1]

Thanks guys! I remember paddling, still do it to change things up. Cheers

[f'nsabiki]

This is sad news!! Anyone know what will become of BWE? Thanks

[C. Cary]

25+ Years is a great run, congratulations!

I have always appreciated the OEX crew and their support of Kayak Fishing. Great tourneys, awesome store, very involved in fighting the MLPA's and camaraderie. Will have to stop by this month. Tight lines and following seas.

[kurt]

I don't know what to say. Shared so many great adventures, from trips to Baja, mothership trips, local offshore kayak trips hoping for pelagics. The list goes on. So many great memories! And thank you, Andy! You are the best kayak fishing guide, although you never took a cent. Good luck in your next adventure!

[JohnMckroidJr]

Originally Posted by Iceman

Some pics to confirm, we have been around quite awhile, back when every body paddled! I used to look at this forum several times throughout the day. Back when sharing info was (mostly) appreciated. Those were the glory days of kayak fishing in So Cal. We were all just figuring it out together. This site has been a huge part of it all. OEX put together a ton of great tournaments through the years and even more mother ship trips. We have always been happy and proud to be a part of it all. We are just moving on to the next chapter! Keep on fishing and from a kayak, I am sure you know, there is no better way!

Great Photos -- memories that will last a lifetime!

"Back when sharing info was (mostly) appreciated." Shame that is less the case today. It serves as inspiration for all of us to get out and fish. Thanks again for the huge contribution to development and growth of this fantastic sport.

[MITCHELL]

And I'm glad I was part of this big movement. I hope this is good new to you and not sad news....where one door closes another door opens...best wishes to you all.
lots of fishing dreams full filled
✨️ God bless 🙌 🙏 and thanks again 😎

[katchfish]

Thanks for the memories!

Happy Trails Iceman!

[Hunters Pa]

Hope this is by choice and not due to other factors

Thank you for all you and OEX has done for the community. Yak fishing in California and elsewhere would not be what it is today without you

[MITCHELL]

Keeps getting erased on my phone so I'll go back and edit. Once I have a secure connection.
Does anybody know what date BWE website was started I remember viewing this website on my first computer that I bought in the year 2000. I have lost content and posts not sure if I started another account with a different email or not. I had a scupper pro brand new back then that just sat because I had a boat. After I lost my business and boat. The kayak came into play. I was having so much fun just fishing San Diego Bay, I spent 2 years just doing that. I finally moved over to la Jolla. I never dreamed I would be catching the same fish as I did in my boat. I finished up in la Jolla with a cobra fish and dive with my 2 part sail ⛵️ prefect timing for the camera phone and the internet lots of pictures to go with the memories. Tight lines amgio no joke when you fish one up and one down.

[MITCHELL]

Was sailing ⛵️ in with a nice yellowtail and trying to talk to other fishermen as you sail by.... free ride in...fully rested when you hit the beach

[monstahfish]

Andy and Brent, thanks for all you've done for the community. I can only think if not for the influence of you guys, kayak fishing wouldn't have expanded to the point where I would have ended up moving cross country and working at Hobie for nearly 10 years and met whole host of other great fisherman. I wish you guys well.

[lamb]

Originally Posted by f'nsabiki

This is sad news!! Anyone know what will become of BWE? Thanks

Given all other SoCal kayak fishing websites are no longer around, I feel we should try hard to keep BWE on-line. There's a ton of history here. There is a ton of great dope shared here, all first hand. These annoying ads provide just about enough $$ to pay for hosting; I'll keep doing my best to keep it up and running.

[lamb]

Originally Posted by MITCHELL

...
Does anybody know what date BWE website was started...

WebArchive.org has the first cached copy of BWE from 2/16/2023. That's about right - the domain name was registered in late 2002.
That purple background and a calico bring a smile to my face.

https://web.archive.org/web/20030216...watersedge.com

[lamb]

Originally Posted by Iceman

Some pics to confirm...

Show off!!!

On a serious note - Kurt said it right! I don't think anyone has shared more, and thought us more, than Andy did. I remember reading ALL his posts on ALL forums I could find them on, when I started fishing SoCal waters.
THANK YOU for that, and THANK YOU for everything else you did @Andy!!!

STAND UP AND SAY ICEMAN!!!!

[FISH11]

Really bad news. Sorry to hear, it's a big loss for the local kayak community. Thank you Andy and Brent, learned almost all I know about fishing from Kayaks from Andy's articles and reading posts on BWE. My biggest regret is not having found BWE and Ocean Kayak fishing years earlier. Best of luck on your new endeavors. Tight Lines!