La Jolla hookup Aug 29 and/or 30th - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

daperrin · 08-15-2019, 06:36 AM

I saw a video where a guy would return to shore by facing the oncoming waves. After a wave would pass he would back paddle untill the next wave. He would paddle through each on coming wave then continue to back paddle until he reached shore. Is that a technique that others are doing or just this one guy?

trollindirty · 08-15-2019, 08:50 AM

f'nsabiki,

Thanks for the tip. It helps, though I know from experience that a lot of times you can't tell just how big the surf is until you're face to face with it lol

jbara,

Launching is much easier for me. Don't mind getting wet on the way out. Coming in is the hard part. Even with gear tied down i hate having my gear go underwater or rods breaking. If it is shallow enough I'm totally fine jumping into the water if it increases my chances of not turtling. There were times in texas when a breaker would start turning my kayak and right before it would flip I'd jump out.

Since my schedule is constrained to those dates, and we have no idea about what conditions will be, do you have a suggestion as to where I could launch in more sheltered water and still have a decent water commute to some offshore kelp? Mission Bay comes to mind.

daperrin,

Yes this is a thing that some kayakers do religiously. The theory is you have a much easier time staying pointed into the surf if youre facing the surf. I never tried it. But it would be worth trying with an empty kayak when you have time. The fat body of the Hobie Outback loves to get turned parallel to the surf when coming back to shore, which is definitely not a position you want to be in.

chris138 · 08-15-2019, 09:53 AM

If you are making the trek to fish la jolla, just launch la jolla. You will be fine. Stash everything below deck you can and tie down the rest. The yellowtail dont care if there is surf or some wind, actually they seem to bite better when there is big swell and lots of current. In the late summer, the majority of significant swell are from the south, which is totally protected at the shores launch. Just charge it, you'll be fine.

I guess you haven't given us all the info, if you are an older individual or have some physical disabilities, I would be cautious. If you are a healthy adult and you have a PFD, charge it.

If you want to catch a yt you will have to focus on the yt the WHOLE trip. Get your bait as quickly as possible, put out your flyline, and just cover ground. Look for bait balls and birds. Your plan sounds good. Troll that mack and drop your jig on marks and you have a great shot!

jbara · 08-15-2019, 11:11 AM

Agree with chris. Stick to LJ or stay in the bay. Mission to LJ is 8 miles uphill. Point loma is to the south and the water to me is not as pleasant. Also if you end up with a strong current you will end up down the point would almost be easier to circle back into San Diego bay by that point and you would have to have outgoing incoming tide times perfect for that. Btw the kelp is really low this year.

f'nsabiki · 08-15-2019, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daperrin

I saw a video where a guy would return to shore by facing the oncoming waves. After a wave would pass he would back paddle untill the next wave. He would paddle through each on coming wave then continue to back paddle until he reached shore. Is that a technique that others are doing or just this one guy?

I've landed that way for years. An Outback is not so good in the surf.

Nickrivers · 08-16-2019, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by f'nsabiki

I've landed that way for years. An Outback is not so good in the surf.

Just went out for the first time in my Outback, definitely likes to go sideways. Had a big wave break over me and I got soaked.

I think I'll be swimming it to shore next time...

trollindirty · 08-16-2019, 10:50 AM

Thanks for all the replies guys. I'm excited to get down there.

For the guys who come back to shore backwards, is there any more specific strategy to this? Is your mirage out and rudder up? when a wave is coming do you charge into it, stay put, or continue paddling backwards? I will keep my sonar on and if the depth is 3-4 feet I have no problem jumping out and walking my kayak the rest of the way.

If the yellowtail are not biting that day, what would be the secondary fish target for you guys, and the way you'd fish for them (in late August). I realize most of you local guys would maybe just call it a day. But I'm coming from far away and want to maximize for the day or two I'm down there.

Should I bother with a short wire leader above my hook or knife jig? Do I need to add a weight to my line if fishing live bait?

Thanks again for all the replies. An active forum like this increases chances of success for someone like me.

08-15-2019, 06:36 AM	#1
daperrin www.TheKayakLaunch Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Orange County Posts: 240	I saw a video where a guy would return to shore by facing the oncoming waves. After a wave would pass he would back paddle untill the next wave. He would paddle through each on coming wave then continue to back paddle until he reached shore. Is that a technique that others are doing or just this one guy? __________________ David P YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thekayaklaunch https://www.instagram.com/thekayaklaunch

08-15-2019, 08:50 AM	#2
trollindirty Junior Join Date: Aug 2019 Posts: 7	f'nsabiki, Thanks for the tip. It helps, though I know from experience that a lot of times you can't tell just how big the surf is until you're face to face with it lol jbara, Launching is much easier for me. Don't mind getting wet on the way out. Coming in is the hard part. Even with gear tied down i hate having my gear go underwater or rods breaking. If it is shallow enough I'm totally fine jumping into the water if it increases my chances of not turtling. There were times in texas when a breaker would start turning my kayak and right before it would flip I'd jump out. Since my schedule is constrained to those dates, and we have no idea about what conditions will be, do you have a suggestion as to where I could launch in more sheltered water and still have a decent water commute to some offshore kelp? Mission Bay comes to mind. daperrin, Yes this is a thing that some kayakers do religiously. The theory is you have a much easier time staying pointed into the surf if youre facing the surf. I never tried it. But it would be worth trying with an empty kayak when you have time. The fat body of the Hobie Outback loves to get turned parallel to the surf when coming back to shore, which is definitely not a position you want to be in.

08-15-2019, 09:53 AM	#3
chris138 donkey roper Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Pacific Beach Posts: 968	If you are making the trek to fish la jolla, just launch la jolla. You will be fine. Stash everything below deck you can and tie down the rest. The yellowtail dont care if there is surf or some wind, actually they seem to bite better when there is big swell and lots of current. In the late summer, the majority of significant swell are from the south, which is totally protected at the shores launch. Just charge it, you'll be fine. I guess you haven't given us all the info, if you are an older individual or have some physical disabilities, I would be cautious. If you are a healthy adult and you have a PFD, charge it. If you want to catch a yt you will have to focus on the yt the WHOLE trip. Get your bait as quickly as possible, put out your flyline, and just cover ground. Look for bait balls and birds. Your plan sounds good. Troll that mack and drop your jig on marks and you have a great shot!

08-15-2019, 11:11 AM	#4
jbara Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 31	Agree with chris. Stick to LJ or stay in the bay. Mission to LJ is 8 miles uphill. Point loma is to the south and the water to me is not as pleasant. Also if you end up with a strong current you will end up down the point would almost be easier to circle back into San Diego bay by that point and you would have to have outgoing incoming tide times perfect for that. Btw the kelp is really low this year.

08-16-2019, 10:50 AM	#7
trollindirty Junior Join Date: Aug 2019 Posts: 7	Thanks for all the replies guys. I'm excited to get down there. For the guys who come back to shore backwards, is there any more specific strategy to this? Is your mirage out and rudder up? when a wave is coming do you charge into it, stay put, or continue paddling backwards? I will keep my sonar on and if the depth is 3-4 feet I have no problem jumping out and walking my kayak the rest of the way. If the yellowtail are not biting that day, what would be the secondary fish target for you guys, and the way you'd fish for them (in late August). I realize most of you local guys would maybe just call it a day. But I'm coming from far away and want to maximize for the day or two I'm down there. Should I bother with a short wire leader above my hook or knife jig? Do I need to add a weight to my line if fishing live bait? Thanks again for all the replies. An active forum like this increases chances of success for someone like me.