LJ Pre-launch? - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

DCS · 07-02-2015, 10:01 PM

I was just wondering how you guys prepare before launching into LJ. I only have a 2wd Tacoma with a rear locker, so driving on the sand might be a little risky for me (or is it possible?).

For the anglers that don't drive on the sand, do you guys wheel your carted yak down to the shoreline and walk the cart back to your car or do you strap the cart onto the yak? I'd be quite hesitant to leave a unattended yak while I run the cart back to my truck.

Silbaugh4liberty · 07-02-2015, 10:19 PM

I think you'll be fine. If a fellow kayaker can't help watching your gear for like 2-5 minutes while you park, that's lame. I never worry about my stuff, unless it's the afternoon. Lots of people on the beach then. You can park and wheel it, but I only did that the first time. Every time after that, I drove on.

kayakfisherman · 07-02-2015, 10:22 PM

Too much worrying equals no La Jolla fishing.

Drive on the sand when it's firm, or, bring a
friend to stay with your kayak while you get
the car. Or, get a tele-transporter
from mr. spock.

No risk, no Fish. You'll figure it out, we all have.

Dannowar · 07-03-2015, 12:13 AM

Get some speed and glide across the 20 feet of soft sand. Same on the way out.

Iceman · 07-03-2015, 07:24 AM

If I had the locker in my Taco I'd be fearless!

Keep yer wheels straight and a little momentum, like Dan said only about 20 feet of soft stuff.

YakDout · 07-03-2015, 07:31 AM

Buy a winch, if you get stuck, hook it up to the tennis club and pull it out.

DCS · 07-03-2015, 04:39 PM

Thanks everyone for the tips! If you see a stuck black Tacoma you know who it is

dsutter775 · 07-03-2015, 05:19 PM

Me and my buddy wheel our yaks from the parking lot. Not too far of a walk. We strap our carts to the back of the yak. Also see ppl lock them to the wooden fence at the launch...

MrPatrick · 07-03-2015, 05:21 PM

Lock your wheels to the telephone pole thing at the launch entrance. Easy accese

Dail14 · 07-03-2015, 05:56 PM

I wheel mine from where I parked. I just store the cart in the front hatch and launch.

Gunner58 · 07-03-2015, 06:00 PM

I have a 4wd so no worries in the sand however it's a little sketchy leaving your yack in attended. But in the morning there are plenty of other yakers willing to watch your stuff. But like the others said keep your momentum until you hit the hard sand

Gunner58 · 07-03-2015, 06:01 PM

And I am willing and able to help a fellow yaker in need if they get stuck in the sand so if your stuck look for a new big black Ram

Irishman · 07-03-2015, 07:36 PM

In the morning I pull up, park and access the tide situation. I know ahead of time if it's coming in or out. Prior to driving on the sand I make sure I have enough space to motor through the first 20'. I'll then unload and ask fellow yakker to watch my gear as I drive and park. When landing I do the same in reverse, only this time I walk with my rods and reels, rinse at the showers that are slightly north of the launch and then drive back. I've had good karma asking either the kayak instructors that are on break or another yakker to watch my stuff. Nothing is on deck for an easy grab. You can also tell tourists they can watch your stuff in return for having their kid take a photo in your yak (once on sand)
Last word, if you land on incoming tide be sure to haul your yak way up the beach.

DCS · 07-03-2015, 11:39 PM

Thanks everyone for the help. I truly appreciate it!

octico · 07-04-2015, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DCS

I was just wondering how you guys prepare before launching into LJ. I only have a 2wd Tacoma with a rear locker, so driving on the sand might be a little risky for me (or is it possible?).

For the anglers that don't drive on the sand, do you guys wheel your carted yak down to the shoreline and walk the cart back to your car or do you strap the cart onto the yak? I'd be quite hesitant to leave a unattended yak while I run the cart back to my truck.

I have a Tamcoma Sport 2WD with a rear limited slip and its fine. I drove about 200 feet from the surfline. The sand is firm in La Jolla ... you will be fine.

TJones · 07-05-2015, 05:43 AM

Don't most guys drop the air pressure in tires to get more traction ? Of course you will need a pump from Walmart to inflate them again . Your truck is very well balanced . In the unlikely event you do get stuck, dropping the pressure will help tremendously . That along with a few beach goers standing on back bumper to put additional weight . Or my F-250 with this tow strap I bought for such occasions is the last resort . I am just waiting to recoupe my money for strap.

danjor · 07-05-2015, 10:49 PM

I own a 2wd tacoma without a locker, just go for it... Done it a million times without thinking about it, never a problem. But now that I said that who's pulling me out when I get stuck in the morning?

jorluivil · 07-06-2015, 05:38 AM

Don't be......that guy

LBKayakDude · 07-06-2015, 09:23 AM

I do it in my Toyota camry so far so good. But I always stop first at the sand get out and survey the sand conditions real quick. Form a mental Map then go get back in the car and go for it. Always always gun it past the first 20-30 ft of soft sand, and be moving quickly before u hit the sand. Then never slow down too much and it's worked for me so far. If the whole beach is soft sand I probably wouldn't go for it in my camry

07-02-2015, 10:01 PM	#1
DCS Junior Join Date: Jun 2015 Posts: 18	LJ Pre-launch? I was just wondering how you guys prepare before launching into LJ. I only have a 2wd Tacoma with a rear locker, so driving on the sand might be a little risky for me (or is it possible?). For the anglers that don't drive on the sand, do you guys wheel your carted yak down to the shoreline and walk the cart back to your car or do you strap the cart onto the yak? I'd be quite hesitant to leave a unattended yak while I run the cart back to my truck.

07-02-2015, 10:19 PM	#2
Silbaugh4liberty Fishing Patriot Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 1,121	I think you'll be fine. If a fellow kayaker can't help watching your gear for like 2-5 minutes while you park, that's lame. I never worry about my stuff, unless it's the afternoon. Lots of people on the beach then. You can park and wheel it, but I only did that the first time. Every time after that, I drove on. __________________

07-03-2015, 12:13 AM	#4
Dannowar Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 1,823	Get some speed and glide across the 20 feet of soft sand. Same on the way out. __________________ "Beware the lollipop of mediocrity; lick it once and you’ll suck forever." — Brian Wilson

07-03-2015, 07:24 AM	#5
Iceman Administrator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: 1-2 miles off the point Posts: 6,943	If I had the locker in my Taco I'd be fearless! Keep yer wheels straight and a little momentum, like Dan said only about 20 feet of soft stuff. __________________

07-05-2015, 05:43 AM	#16
TJones Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 2,526	4 wheeling Don't most guys drop the air pressure in tires to get more traction ? Of course you will need a pump from Walmart to inflate them again . Your truck is very well balanced . In the unlikely event you do get stuck, dropping the pressure will help tremendously . That along with a few beach goers standing on back bumper to put additional weight . Or my F-250 with this tow strap I bought for such occasions is the last resort . I am just waiting to recoupe my money for strap.

07-02-2015, 10:22 PM	#3
kayakfisherman Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 715	Too much worrying equals no La Jolla fishing. Drive on the sand when it's firm, or, bring a friend to stay with your kayak while you get the car. Or, get a tele-transporter from mr. spock. No risk, no Fish. You'll figure it out, we all have.

07-03-2015, 07:31 AM	#6
YakDout Brandon Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: San Diego Posts: 2,345	Buy a winch, if you get stuck, hook it up to the tennis club and pull it out.

07-03-2015, 04:39 PM	#7
DCS Junior Join Date: Jun 2015 Posts: 18	Thanks everyone for the tips! If you see a stuck black Tacoma you know who it is

07-03-2015, 05:19 PM	#8
dsutter775 Malibu X Factor Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 57	Me and my buddy wheel our yaks from the parking lot. Not too far of a walk. We strap our carts to the back of the yak. Also see ppl lock them to the wooden fence at the launch...

07-03-2015, 05:21 PM	#9
MrPatrick Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Waiting to launch Posts: 1,381	Lock your wheels to the telephone pole thing at the launch entrance. Easy accese

07-03-2015, 05:56 PM	#10
Dail14 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 123	I wheel mine from where I parked. I just store the cart in the front hatch and launch.

07-03-2015, 06:00 PM	#11
Gunner58 Member Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 81	I have a 4wd so no worries in the sand however it's a little sketchy leaving your yack in attended. But in the morning there are plenty of other yakers willing to watch your stuff. But like the others said keep your momentum until you hit the hard sand

07-03-2015, 06:01 PM	#12
Gunner58 Member Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 81	And I am willing and able to help a fellow yaker in need if they get stuck in the sand so if your stuck look for a new big black Ram

07-03-2015, 07:36 PM	#13
Irishman Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 306	In the morning I pull up, park and access the tide situation. I know ahead of time if it's coming in or out. Prior to driving on the sand I make sure I have enough space to motor through the first 20'. I'll then unload and ask fellow yakker to watch my gear as I drive and park. When landing I do the same in reverse, only this time I walk with my rods and reels, rinse at the showers that are slightly north of the launch and then drive back. I've had good karma asking either the kayak instructors that are on break or another yakker to watch my stuff. Nothing is on deck for an easy grab. You can also tell tourists they can watch your stuff in return for having their kid take a photo in your yak (once on sand) Last word, if you land on incoming tide be sure to haul your yak way up the beach.

07-03-2015, 11:39 PM	#14
DCS Junior Join Date: Jun 2015 Posts: 18	Thanks everyone for the help. I truly appreciate it!

07-05-2015, 10:49 PM	#17
danjor Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Riverside CA Posts: 673	I own a 2wd tacoma without a locker, just go for it... Done it a million times without thinking about it, never a problem. But now that I said that who's pulling me out when I get stuck in the morning?

07-06-2015, 09:23 AM	#19
LBKayakDude Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 193	I do it in my Toyota camry so far so good. But I always stop first at the sand get out and survey the sand conditions real quick. Form a mental Map then go get back in the car and go for it. Always always gun it past the first 20-30 ft of soft sand, and be moving quickly before u hit the sand. Then never slow down too much and it's worked for me so far. If the whole beach is soft sand I probably wouldn't go for it in my camry