Recon report only - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

ratdog · 05-08-2009, 02:01 PM

Attempted to launch at 5am from LJ and after I saw the sets coming in, face to face, I decided to go back in and prepare for a serious punch thru.
Got out without incident. Swell was big coming from the west and a cross swell from the north as best as I could tell. Wind was very stiff from the south, still I had hopes. Made bait instantly with a few greenbacks. Pulled them all around and thru the B/W 6x jr for a big fat "0". Saw only 1 other in kayak, 2 pbers. stowed everything, stuck the landing was back in be 8:30. Did see a few schools of dolphins in a feeding frenzy, but nothing else. Just wanted to pass on some current info.

sterling · 05-08-2009, 03:11 PM

I was down at the launch at 11:15. Dead seal in an advanced stage of decomposition on the street right where it meets the sand. Major back to back waves and wind picking up. Tourists were still going out with the help of the rental staff.

dsafety · 05-08-2009, 05:02 PM

I had planned to go out today but after checking the buoy data which showed swells at 5 feet or more, I decided to blow the trip off. We seem to be in an unusually long period of marginal sea conditions and even worse fishing action. What gives?

Bob

driftwood · 05-08-2009, 07:01 PM

Got to the launch by 1:30 p.m Wind and surf was up so i gave it thumbs down and so i turned around. Tomorrow should be much better all around.

LORENZ · 05-08-2009, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by driftwood

Tomorrow should be much better all around.

Were did you get that info? Could you post a link. I'd love to see how you guys determine conditions.

blackcloud9 · 05-08-2009, 08:11 PM

Here is my take on launch conditions & forecasting, that you can bookmark. I mention this at my seminars.
http://larryl.com/favorite_kayak_conditions.htm

Saturday morning's forecast is 5 to 6 feet at 8 seconds, out at the Torrey Pines Outer buoy. My translation: you may
encounter 4 to 5 foot waves on launch, and unless you are experienced or lucky, will likely go for a refreshing swim with your gear.

Sunday morning will be milder with 2 to 4 footers, and then Sunday afternoon will be a much simpler launch with the TPO buoy
forecast at around 3 feet.

This morning (Friday) the TPO buoy wave height was pushing 7 feet, and an attempt at launching a 14' fishing kayak into that mess would
be VERY INTERESTING to watch. At least know what you are getting into, wear lifejacket and stow all your hooks and jigs.

(I read that someome lost a finger last week landing a skiff at LJ and also a guy died at Catalina in rough conditions last week solo, so fwiw please take rough conditions seriously....)

dsafety · 05-08-2009, 10:02 PM

Blackcloud speaks the truth!

I know that line sounds like a line out an old western movie but those of us who have not followed this advise have learned the hard way.

Bob

Billy V · 05-09-2009, 12:52 AM

Those tourist kayaks may be the best surf riding kayaks on the planet.

I can't believe how some of them come sailing into shore without incident.
-Sure there is the occasional wipeout, but for the most part those ocean yaks find their way to shore like magic.

I recently found out most of them have gallons of water inside of the hulls. This must be the secret............extra ballast.

05-08-2009, 02:01 PM	#1
ratdog Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 424	Recon report only Attempted to launch at 5am from LJ and after I saw the sets coming in, face to face, I decided to go back in and prepare for a serious punch thru. Got out without incident. Swell was big coming from the west and a cross swell from the north as best as I could tell. Wind was very stiff from the south, still I had hopes. Made bait instantly with a few greenbacks. Pulled them all around and thru the B/W 6x jr for a big fat "0". Saw only 1 other in kayak, 2 pbers. stowed everything, stuck the landing was back in be 8:30. Did see a few schools of dolphins in a feeding frenzy, but nothing else. Just wanted to pass on some current info.

05-08-2009, 08:11 PM	#6
blackcloud9 Kayaker Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Big Rock, WindanSea, La Jolla Posts: 413	Here is my take on launch conditions & forecasting, that you can bookmark. I mention this at my seminars. http://larryl.com/favorite_kayak_conditions.htm Saturday morning's forecast is 5 to 6 feet at 8 seconds, out at the Torrey Pines Outer buoy. My translation: you may encounter 4 to 5 foot waves on launch, and unless you are experienced or lucky, will likely go for a refreshing swim with your gear. Sunday morning will be milder with 2 to 4 footers, and then Sunday afternoon will be a much simpler launch with the TPO buoy forecast at around 3 feet. This morning (Friday) the TPO buoy wave height was pushing 7 feet, and an attempt at launching a 14' fishing kayak into that mess would be VERY INTERESTING to watch. At least know what you are getting into, wear lifejacket and stow all your hooks and jigs. (I read that someome lost a finger last week landing a skiff at LJ and also a guy died at Catalina in rough conditions last week solo, so fwiw please take rough conditions seriously....) __________________ Larry. Hobie Revolution 13. 25 years of kayak fishing La Jolla. https://larryl.com/photos Last edited by blackcloud9; 05-09-2009 at 03:47 PM.

05-08-2009, 03:11 PM	#2
sterling Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 118	I was down at the launch at 11:15. Dead seal in an advanced stage of decomposition on the street right where it meets the sand. Major back to back waves and wind picking up. Tourists were still going out with the help of the rental staff.

05-08-2009, 05:02 PM	#3
dsafety Olivenhain Bob Join Date: May 2008 Location: Olivenhain, CA Posts: 1,121	I had planned to go out today but after checking the buoy data which showed swells at 5 feet or more, I decided to blow the trip off. We seem to be in an unusually long period of marginal sea conditions and even worse fishing action. What gives? Bob

05-08-2009, 07:01 PM	#4
driftwood Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: SAN DIEGO Posts: 1,086	Got to the launch by 1:30 p.m Wind and surf was up so i gave it thumbs down and so i turned around. Tomorrow should be much better all around.

05-08-2009, 10:02 PM	#7
dsafety Olivenhain Bob Join Date: May 2008 Location: Olivenhain, CA Posts: 1,121	Blackcloud speaks the truth! I know that line sounds like a line out an old western movie but those of us who have not followed this advise have learned the hard way. Bob

05-09-2009, 12:52 AM	#8
Billy V Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bay Ho Posts: 1,382	Those tourist kayaks may be the best surf riding kayaks on the planet. I can't believe how some of them come sailing into shore without incident. -Sure there is the occasional wipeout, but for the most part those ocean yaks find their way to shore like magic. I recently found out most of them have gallons of water inside of the hulls. This must be the secret............extra ballast.