How do you know your ready! - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

jorluivil · 06-22-2015, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GregAndrew

LJ is usually about as close to bay fishing as you are going to get in the open ocean.
You are ready when:
You have all the right safety gear.
You know how to upright and reenter your loaded kayak.
You no longer need to take all boat wakes head on.

Really, Greg? Really?

Its no fun if you don't take one to the chest

And you feel comfortable in your yak.

And then, work your way up through higher swells and wind speeds gradually.

Best advise I can give you is to never launch/land when I launch/land. That is unless you want to get wet and have one of those 'I almost died stories'.

makobob · 06-22-2015, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jorluivil

Best advise I can give you is to never launch/land when I launch/land. That is unless you want to get wet and have one of those 'I almost died stories'.

Nothing wrong with I almost DIED stories. As long as..................................

Robs · 06-22-2015, 08:33 PM

Thanks I just gotta go out and do it

taggermike · 06-23-2015, 07:09 AM

LA Jolla has a "big deal" mystique around it. Some is well deserved; chance to catch a big fish any day of the year, maybe see amazing marine life. But in other aspects its just a fishing spot and easy to fish. The surf is usually very small, the paddle out isn't too far and you can often catch fish with out going way around the corner. Some surf practice is very helpful as is knowing how to self rescue. Going with a partner can help with the confidence. LJ can get rough and windy, but no worse than any other place. Find a wing man and go. Mike

Robs · 06-23-2015, 08:20 AM

Ok, thanks Mike.

dsutter775 · 06-23-2015, 08:51 AM

My first time ever kayaking I hit up La Jolla. I've learned a lot since then and now realize that probably wasn't the best decision but its not as bad as it seems to be made out by some. Easy launch, easy paddle. The landing is the hardest part but just gotta time it right...

f'nsabiki · 06-23-2015, 09:15 AM

When will you be ready??--when you need a wheelbarrow to get to the launch. j/k

If I were you, I would go to La Jolla with no fishing gear, and just practice going through the surf. I think you will find the biggest challenge will be the summer crowds.

ironcross6921 · 06-23-2015, 09:38 AM

While I do agree with practicing launching and landing, I think you should bring your gear (just make sure to strap it down really good and no hooks to get caught on) A loaded kayak handles different than unloaded and you need to practice under the same conditions you'll be launching/landing in. I took my PA 14 with no gear down when I first got it just to see how difficult it would be and had zero issues. Next trip while jumping into the seat managed to hook myself in the calf. Not saying it wouldn't have happened anyways but just going based on my practice I wasn't considering having 3 poles with hooks laying on the side I board. Then consider the added weight (your not moving as quick anymore) and timing the waves becomes that more critical. I own two PA14s and for awhile when I took my buddies out I would load all the gear on mine so the launch wouldn't be as tough for them but then the first time I left the gear on theirs all 3 of them on 3 separate occasions wiped out, once again not saying it wouldn't have happen just that it seemed they had gotten comfortable with the way the kayak handled empty and got complacent so when it came time to launch loaded they probably weren't as alert as the would have been their first few times.
ALTHOUGH La Jolla is probably the most forgiving when it comes to wipeouts and surf is rarely very big.

06-22-2015, 08:33 PM	#3
Robs Junior Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: San Diego Posts: 5	Thanks I just gotta go out and do it

06-23-2015, 07:09 AM	#4
taggermike Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Chula Vista Posts: 1,589	LA Jolla has a "big deal" mystique around it. Some is well deserved; chance to catch a big fish any day of the year, maybe see amazing marine life. But in other aspects its just a fishing spot and easy to fish. The surf is usually very small, the paddle out isn't too far and you can often catch fish with out going way around the corner. Some surf practice is very helpful as is knowing how to self rescue. Going with a partner can help with the confidence. LJ can get rough and windy, but no worse than any other place. Find a wing man and go. Mike

06-23-2015, 08:20 AM	#5
Robs Junior Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: San Diego Posts: 5	Ok, thanks Mike.

06-23-2015, 08:51 AM	#6
dsutter775 Malibu X Factor Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 57	My first time ever kayaking I hit up La Jolla. I've learned a lot since then and now realize that probably wasn't the best decision but its not as bad as it seems to be made out by some. Easy launch, easy paddle. The landing is the hardest part but just gotta time it right...

06-23-2015, 09:15 AM	#7
f'nsabiki Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 310	When will you be ready??--when you need a wheelbarrow to get to the launch. j/k If I were you, I would go to La Jolla with no fishing gear, and just practice going through the surf. I think you will find the biggest challenge will be the summer crowds.

06-23-2015, 09:38 AM	#8
ironcross6921 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 165	While I do agree with practicing launching and landing, I think you should bring your gear (just make sure to strap it down really good and no hooks to get caught on) A loaded kayak handles different than unloaded and you need to practice under the same conditions you'll be launching/landing in. I took my PA 14 with no gear down when I first got it just to see how difficult it would be and had zero issues. Next trip while jumping into the seat managed to hook myself in the calf. Not saying it wouldn't have happened anyways but just going based on my practice I wasn't considering having 3 poles with hooks laying on the side I board. Then consider the added weight (your not moving as quick anymore) and timing the waves becomes that more critical. I own two PA14s and for awhile when I took my buddies out I would load all the gear on mine so the launch wouldn't be as tough for them but then the first time I left the gear on theirs all 3 of them on 3 separate occasions wiped out, once again not saying it wouldn't have happen just that it seemed they had gotten comfortable with the way the kayak handled empty and got complacent so when it came time to launch loaded they probably weren't as alert as the would have been their first few times. ALTHOUGH La Jolla is probably the most forgiving when it comes to wipeouts and surf is rarely very big.