Planing my first trip to La Jolla this weekend

[old_rookie]

I might be skipping Saturday too.
1. Magicseaweed predicting 3ft swells, 6 second interval from the west all day.
2. low temps
3. funeral to go to on Thursday which means cutting out of work which means making up work on Saturday.

[Aaron&Julie]

This is a good link for weather and swell reports:

http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/sgx/

We usually click on the map 3 times. Once, to capture the La Jolla area. A second time to isolate closer to the launch. Then the third time to isolate right off of the southern point of the reserve. This usually gives us the most accurate information to the area we will be fishing.

Keep in mind, 3-4 foot ocean swells usually equate to larger surf at other locations, but smaller at the launch, but not always. Lately, 4 foot ocean swells have caused 5 foot surf at the launch, but that is unusual. With 3 foot ocean swells you are typically safe at the launch. This website's reports often are more accurate than what you get on TV.

Here is a website we also use when checking current wind conditions:

http://w9if.net/cgi-bin/torreywx/wx.pl

It is for the Torrey Pines gliderport, just north of Scripps pier, so it is fairly accurate in regards to La Jolla.

Additionally, if you want tide information, which is useful when launching use this link:

http://www.mobilegeographics.com:81/locations/3220.html

Scroll down the page and look for the date you are going out. Any high tide above 5 feet and you might not be able to drive your vehicle onto the beach. It is also good to know when launching and landing whether the tide is falling or rising. When you go to and from your vehicle, you don't want a rising tide to sweep your kayak away.

We start checking these websites 4-5 days in advance, then check them every day until we go, as conditions can sometimes change significantly.

Be safe, and good luck.

[JoeBeck]

My 1st launch at LJ. I didn't think about it at all I just woke up and went . I'm sure you have swam in the ocean before, at least seen it. Put a life-jacket on and GO GO GO!!!! you only have to paddle out, if you are not comfortable turn around and paddle back, if you are paddle farther.

One of my favorite readings about the Sierra Mountain range, I think it is applicable to any outdoor adventure

“All of your life someone is pointing the way, directing you this way and that, determining for you which road is best traveled. Here is your chance to find your own way. Don’t ask me how to get to McGee Canyon or Lake Double Eleven. Go, on your own. Be adventuresome. Don’t forever seek the easiest way. Take the way you find. Don’t demand trail signs and sturdy bridges. Don’t demand we show you the mountains. Seek them an find them yourself… This is your birthright as an animal, most commonly denied you. Be free enough from intentions to find goodness wherever you are and in whatever is happening. Here for once in your life you needn’t do anything. Be anywhere at a determined time, walk in a certain direction. You can now live by whim. Here is your one chance to get lost, find a beautiful place.” quote from a park ranger.

[old_rookie]

Originally Posted by JoeBeck

My 1st launch at LJ. I didn't think about it at all I just woke up and went . I'm sure you have swam in the ocean before, at least seen it. Put a life-jacket on and GO GO GO!!!! you only have to paddle out, if you are not comfortable turn around and paddle back, if you are paddle farther.

That's funny - I think back to my first launch, I didn't look at any weather/tide/swell report. I just went and paddled out - then back-in and rolled, went out again, then back-in and rolled, went out, back-in, success!!

Now I look and the reports and analyze and think too much about it.

[jorluivil]

Originally Posted by JoeBeck

My 1st launch at LJ. I didn't think about it at all I just woke up and went . I'm sure you have swam in the ocean before, at least seen it. Put a life-jacket on and GO GO GO!!!! you only have to paddle out, if you are not comfortable turn around and paddle back, if you are paddle farther.

One of my favorite readings about the Sierra Mountain range, I think it is applicable to any outdoor adventure

“All of your life someone is pointing the way, directing you this way and that, determining for you which road is best traveled. Here is your chance to find your own way. Don’t ask me how to get to McGee Canyon or Lake Double Eleven. Go, on your own. Be adventuresome. Don’t forever seek the easiest way. Take the way you find. Don’t demand trail signs and sturdy bridges. Don’t demand we show you the mountains. Seek them an find them yourself… This is your birthright as an animal, most commonly denied you. Be free enough from intentions to find goodness wherever you are and in whatever is happening. Here for once in your life you needn’t do anything. Be anywhere at a determined time, walk in a certain direction. You can now live by whim. Here is your one chance to get lost, find a beautiful place.” quote from a park ranger.

Funny how this is true....when you live 90.2 miles from the LJ launch you don't think about swells or current, or waves or whether or not the bite is on, you just go. I've made close to ten trips to LJ and have never arrived at the launch and said....'Ummmm, waves look spooky, think I'll turn around and go home.'


JUST DO IT!!!! With caution of course.

[theluckypig]

my frist launch(es) were in the dark, in a tandem, over loaded, and inexperienced... result: dunked twice, lost the partner...(quit...) then a good samaritan (damian) saved the day and hand walked me out and i spent the day fishing away... introduce yourself, ask questions, and there'll probably be someone there to help guide you through the process.

[Croaker Dave]

If you're doing this on a budget, consider making a bait tube out of PVC. Works great, no batteries or pumps.

[danjor]

Well now that west marine offers price match I got the pump for $12.16 what a deal compared to there regular price $39.99. Trued the pump with my 12v battery for my fish finder and im deftly gonna get a 6v battery for the pump.

[old_rookie]

Originally Posted by Croaker Dave

If you're doing this on a budget, consider making a bait tube out of PVC. Works great, no batteries or pumps.

I concur. I see it as less hassle as well. Just don't put too many in the tube like I did last time out. At the end of my session I emptied my tube and they went belly up. There have been other times that I let the last one out and it took off quickly.

[Deamon]

Originally Posted by JoeBeck

My 1st launch at LJ. I didn't think about it at all I just woke up and went . I'm sure you have swam in the ocean before, at least seen it. Put a life-jacket on and GO GO GO!!!! you only have to paddle out, if you are not comfortable turn around and paddle back, if you are paddle farther.

One of my favorite readings about the Sierra Mountain range, I think it is applicable to any outdoor adventure

“All of your life someone is pointing the way, directing you this way and that, determining for you which road is best traveled. Here is your chance to find your own way. Don’t ask me how to get to McGee Canyon or Lake Double Eleven. Go, on your own. Be adventuresome. Don’t forever seek the easiest way. Take the way you find. Don’t demand trail signs and sturdy bridges. Don’t demand we show you the mountains. Seek them an find them yourself… This is your birthright as an animal, most commonly denied you. Be free enough from intentions to find goodness wherever you are and in whatever is happening. Here for once in your life you needn’t do anything. Be anywhere at a determined time, walk in a certain direction. You can now live by whim. Here is your one chance to get lost, find a beautiful place.” quote from a park ranger.

Very nice quote...So I beach it at dusk this week and a lady walks up and starts asking: Did you go out by yourself? How far out did you go? Oh really? By yourself...hmm. If you think about it, you just might pucker up. If you're prepared, able-bodied and understand all of the benefits: GO FOR IT!