Just when I thought I was safe - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Jimmyz123 · 07-01-2012, 08:10 AM

I never take food with me when I go out. Sometimes I'll take water, but most of the time it's me and my gear for fishing and catching. Glad everything worked out for you. That's what I love about this site, we all have the ability to learn from other people's experiences.

Chief Gunner · 07-01-2012, 08:45 AM

Your post got me thinking; I learned allot from going out into windy and heavy conditions on my tarpon 160I which is the reason why I went to a PA... so I could bring along esentials with me since I like to venture out further than most at times.

Sure I sacrificed speed and stealth for more capacity as I learned and as I went along with this Hobby.

The more I did the solo long paddles out into the unknown I remembered what I had been taught all my life (Especially after a few swims off the coast here in Dec & January). I leaned that it is the unexpected that can, and always will bite you in the Ass when you're least expecting it. ....

So with that rationale; I carry a GPS, a bilge pump, a 1st aid kid, a Radio, a tow line, a flare/ signal kit and depending on things and where I am at I find reassurance in knowing know I can cary even more if needed.

I know that if I plan it right even forcasted "rough" conditions won't keep me from going out when the bite is on.

Allot here would say that is all unecesary but I am a believer in preparing for the worst, I might be slower these days but I find allot of comort in knowing that it is not a race and that being mindful and prepared pays off each time I hit the sand on two feet intact & safe (even if I'm tired, cold and wet

).

One of the reasons I signed up here was to meet up and ty to get out on the water more often with someone else whenever possible. Even Navy Seals use the Buddy System for damn good reasons.

Being daring is fun but having someone else along with you that can cover your 6 when you might not be able to is just Good Common Sense.

"To Be wise and Old, One must first be Young and Careless"

Thanks for the Reminder.

Jimmyz123 · 07-01-2012, 09:00 AM

I launched alone the last 2 times out at La Jolla however I didn't think I'd be alone because I saw other Kayakers out there. Although it is nice knowing you have a buddy that will keep an eye out for you. Even though I have fixed the leaks on my Kayak I'm still thinking of installing an automatic bilge pump in the hull. I'm a boat minded person and you can never be too safe.

walrus · 07-01-2012, 10:10 AM

First I'd like to say I'm really glad you got out of this O.K.

After reading this I was thinking about what I would do. That in turn started me to thinking about other close call stories that I've seen posted here and elsewhere. They always seem to be solo kayaks.

It boils down to this, if you solo (which I do) you must focus on safety and unexpected emergencies. Which would be hard for me to do when fishing.

Maybe I should consider a partner as part of my safety gear?

Just thinking.

yaky yak · 07-01-2012, 10:45 AM

I am glad your alright. You'ed of been one of those mystery at sea story's. The snickers would of washed out and no one would of known what happened.
I go out by my self 90% of the time. Iv'e been out 12 miles off dana before looking for tuna a few years ago. When you go out by your self even the smallest mishap can end your life. The best you can do is be prepared for most misadventures. Just know when its your time to go, Death has more ways of taking you then we have ways of preventing it.
I had my splash pants get knock down around my ankles, then wrap around my legs while in the surf. I just took my vest off, in 10 inches of water. Next thing I know i am under water and my legs are tied. Another time I was baiting some rock cod hooks, I had a big heavy jig on the end. As I am putting bait on the last hook a mako hit the jig that was just barely dangling in the water. I shudder when I think about what would of happened if one of those 6/0 hooks had went in me.
Again glad your ok. We have to be prepared, but we can't live in fear.

steveooo · 07-01-2012, 02:43 PM

Wow Ross. Scary stuff

Glad you are OK brother.

GregAndrew · 07-01-2012, 03:27 PM

Glad you are ok Ross. Doesn't sound like a buddy would have helped in your situation with the bad fog. If you had to prepare for every conceiveable scenario each time you went out, you would need a pretty big boat to carry it all plus the staff. Cell phone call to 911 and tap in the morse code for "SOS"? Then hope for a record breaking locating and response time.

07-01-2012, 08:10 AM	#1
Jimmyz123 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: San Diego Posts: 2,385	I never take food with me when I go out. Sometimes I'll take water, but most of the time it's me and my gear for fishing and catching. Glad everything worked out for you. That's what I love about this site, we all have the ability to learn from other people's experiences. __________________ No better time than being on the water, God Bless, JimmyZ

07-01-2012, 08:45 AM	#2
Chief Gunner Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Lakeside Posts: 97	Your post got me thinking; I learned allot from going out into windy and heavy conditions on my tarpon 160I which is the reason why I went to a PA... so I could bring along esentials with me since I like to venture out further than most at times. Sure I sacrificed speed and stealth for more capacity as I learned and as I went along with this Hobby. The more I did the solo long paddles out into the unknown I remembered what I had been taught all my life (Especially after a few swims off the coast here in Dec & January). I leaned that it is the unexpected that can, and always will bite you in the Ass when you're least expecting it. .... So with that rationale; I carry a GPS, a bilge pump, a 1st aid kid, a Radio, a tow line, a flare/ signal kit and depending on things and where I am at I find reassurance in knowing know I can cary even more if needed. I know that if I plan it right even forcasted "rough" conditions won't keep me from going out when the bite is on. Allot here would say that is all unecesary but I am a believer in preparing for the worst, I might be slower these days but I find allot of comort in knowing that it is not a race and that being mindful and prepared pays off each time I hit the sand on two feet intact & safe (even if I'm tired, cold and wet ). One of the reasons I signed up here was to meet up and ty to get out on the water more often with someone else whenever possible. Even Navy Seals use the Buddy System for damn good reasons. Being daring is fun but having someone else along with you that can cover your 6 when you might not be able to is just Good Common Sense. "To Be wise and Old, One must first be Young and Careless" Thanks for the Reminder. Last edited by Chief Gunner; 07-01-2012 at 09:23 AM.

07-01-2012, 09:00 AM	#3
Jimmyz123 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: San Diego Posts: 2,385	I launched alone the last 2 times out at La Jolla however I didn't think I'd be alone because I saw other Kayakers out there. Although it is nice knowing you have a buddy that will keep an eye out for you. Even though I have fixed the leaks on my Kayak I'm still thinking of installing an automatic bilge pump in the hull. I'm a boat minded person and you can never be too safe. __________________ No better time than being on the water, God Bless, JimmyZ

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07-01-2012, 10:10 AM	#4
walrus Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Baja fish camp Posts: 478	First I'd like to say I'm really glad you got out of this O.K. After reading this I was thinking about what I would do. That in turn started me to thinking about other close call stories that I've seen posted here and elsewhere. They always seem to be solo kayaks. It boils down to this, if you solo (which I do) you must focus on safety and unexpected emergencies. Which would be hard for me to do when fishing. Maybe I should consider a partner as part of my safety gear? Just thinking.

07-01-2012, 10:45 AM	#5
yaky yak Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Riverside, calif Posts: 130	I am glad your alright. You'ed of been one of those mystery at sea story's. The snickers would of washed out and no one would of known what happened. I go out by my self 90% of the time. Iv'e been out 12 miles off dana before looking for tuna a few years ago. When you go out by your self even the smallest mishap can end your life. The best you can do is be prepared for most misadventures. Just know when its your time to go, Death has more ways of taking you then we have ways of preventing it. I had my splash pants get knock down around my ankles, then wrap around my legs while in the surf. I just took my vest off, in 10 inches of water. Next thing I know i am under water and my legs are tied. Another time I was baiting some rock cod hooks, I had a big heavy jig on the end. As I am putting bait on the last hook a mako hit the jig that was just barely dangling in the water. I shudder when I think about what would of happened if one of those 6/0 hooks had went in me. Again glad your ok. We have to be prepared, but we can't live in fear.

07-01-2012, 02:43 PM	#6
steveooo Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 1,922	Wow Ross. Scary stuff Glad you are OK brother.

07-01-2012, 03:27 PM	#7
GregAndrew Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 2,384	Glad you are ok Ross. Doesn't sound like a buddy would have helped in your situation with the bad fog. If you had to prepare for every conceiveable scenario each time you went out, you would need a pretty big boat to carry it all plus the staff. Cell phone call to 911 and tap in the morse code for "SOS"? Then hope for a record breaking locating and response time.