Lost Mirage Drive - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Billy V · 04-04-2009, 09:34 PM

When something falls over in that surf its like it fell into a Black Hole.

You wouldn't think it by looking at the relatively small waves that break there, but I have seen guys get right in the water and still not find what they were looking for.

Last year a guy dropped a pole with an avet reel on it in 9 ft. of water. There were 2 divers in the immediate area and a couple of snorklers looking for it.
Nobody was able to come up with the rod.

I keep fins and a mask in my truck just incase me or my friends loose something, but I know it isn't a guarantee.

I have a landing procedure and follow it almost every time:

-Store all reels below in a dry bag.
-Store the Fishfinder.
-Empty the bait tank water.

-Lay down the rods and use the paddle bungees to hold them around the grips, and to the side of the kayak. (Left and Right paddle storage area) The tips are face toward the stern, and are placed to the inside of the Hobie rod holders. They are still leashed to the kayak with rod leashes.

-The mirage drive can remain in place as long as you bungee the peddles apart to lock the finns in the UP position.

or

-Remove the mirage drive, and insert the drive well plug. Then lay the mirage drive in the forward well area between your legs with the peddles facing toward you. Use the adjustable bungee in the well area to bungee across the drive tightly. Use the Mirage Drive Nylon Leash that came with your kayak to leash it to the kayak just incase the landing goes very bad.
--------------------------------
Another school of thought is to use the Mirage drive to peddle through the surf, and stay ahead of the wave.
I have done this myself, and have seen Morgan do it as well.

-Once you get into 2 1/2 - 3 ft of water You simultaneously Pull the rudder cord UP, and Bungee the peddles apart, then jump off and grab the stern.
You need some timing but its very doable.

04-04-2009, 09:34 PM	#7
Billy V Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bay Ho Posts: 1,382	When something falls over in that surf its like it fell into a Black Hole. You wouldn't think it by looking at the relatively small waves that break there, but I have seen guys get right in the water and still not find what they were looking for. Last year a guy dropped a pole with an avet reel on it in 9 ft. of water. There were 2 divers in the immediate area and a couple of snorklers looking for it. Nobody was able to come up with the rod. I keep fins and a mask in my truck just incase me or my friends loose something, but I know it isn't a guarantee. I have a landing procedure and follow it almost every time: -Store all reels below in a dry bag. -Store the Fishfinder. -Empty the bait tank water. -Lay down the rods and use the paddle bungees to hold them around the grips, and to the side of the kayak. (Left and Right paddle storage area) The tips are face toward the stern, and are placed to the inside of the Hobie rod holders. They are still leashed to the kayak with rod leashes. -The mirage drive can remain in place as long as you bungee the peddles apart to lock the finns in the UP position. or -Remove the mirage drive, and insert the drive well plug. Then lay the mirage drive in the forward well area between your legs with the peddles facing toward you. Use the adjustable bungee in the well area to bungee across the drive tightly. Use the Mirage Drive Nylon Leash that came with your kayak to leash it to the kayak just incase the landing goes very bad. -------------------------------- Another school of thought is to use the Mirage drive to peddle through the surf, and stay ahead of the wave. I have done this myself, and have seen Morgan do it as well. -Once you get into 2 1/2 - 3 ft of water You simultaneously Pull the rudder cord UP, and Bungee the peddles apart, then jump off and grab the stern. You need some timing but its very doable.