Birthday Voyage from Two Harbors to Avalon - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

JoeBeck · 05-26-2009, 02:04 PM

Figured since I have been on here the last few weeks checking updates on the MLPA I'd post a report. And hell might as well make it a long one

Catalina is a special place to us and we have wanted to make this kayak voyage for quite some time. What better time to do it than over my long birthday weekend The idea was to take a ferry to two harbors and kayak to Avalon in 4 days 3 nights fishing and enjoying the spectacular views the entire way. This trip would prove to be another great Beckerley adventure and show that safety doesn't happen by accident.

The 1st day we boarded the Marina Del Ray Ferry arriving in Two Harbors at around 11:00am launching our kayaks just after noon.

On our way to two harbors

Loaded up and ready to launch

We would paddle from from Isthmus cove just past Rippers Cove to a small beach camp called Paradise, this is where we would spend our 1st two nights.

We concentrated our fishing to Rock Query, Yellowtail point, and Rippers Cove all well know spots between isthmus and our camp site. Relatively it was a pretty slow day with yellowtail point producing the most. All and all only small calico were caught but there were only slight winds and it turned out to be a nice paddle while fishing the whole way to camp although I was surprised we didn't get any nicer sized calico since these areas have been productive for us in the past.

One of Shiloh's fish

On our way we ran into a group of inexperienced kayakers who turned over, were exhausted and did not know where their camp was. Lucky for them they were close. We pulled out our 1st safety item, a map of catalina and guided them to their location. They rented their yaks, you would think they would require individuals to carry a map when renting a kayak to take out boat camping.

Our camp

The second day we fished a couple small points and kelp beds in front or our camp, rippers beach and a little south. Not much changed from the previous day, slow, small calico bass but beautiful weather and great beer

Found some great pale ale in a can at BevMo from Colorado, it says pack it in pack it out. The can's wouldn't be the only thing we would be packing out this trip

Oh yes and almost forgot we got to eat a couple sand bass tacos

At some point we decided to check out Lava Beach another boat in camp site which I would recommend over paradise reason being Lava has a table which is nice.

When Shiloh was exiting this beach a surge of wakes came and pushed her kayak and herself back into the shore before she entered back safely. We thought nothing of it at the time although I believe this would prove to change the itinerary of our entire trip.

Me contemplating by the fire how I can spend my entire life in the outdoors not getting caught up in the daily grind of life. Birthdays sometimes make you think

Day 3: We would paddle from Paradise to Italian gardens close to long point and whites landing two spots I have never fished but heard were some of the best fishing grounds on this side of the island. Long point has a shelf that drops off producing a good spot for Yellowtail, WSB, and Large Calico. Whites Landing had reports of a good Halibut bite all week. I was really looking forward to fishing these areas so we decided to wake up early and troll rapalas all the way to our new camp unload and then fish there all day.

On the way Shiloh reported to me that her kayak felt heavy, tipsy and had more water on the deck than usual. All a bad sign that the inside of the yak is filled up with water. I paddled over and opened it up, I was correct there was water in the kayak. Safety item 2 used for the trip and for the 1st time ever was a hand held bilge pump. We worked together to clear the water out, without it it would have been difficult to clear the water especially with camping gear in there.

We got to camp unloaded, looked at the kayak and I could not find a hole. We decided to still go out fishing staying close to shore and close to our camp. This spot was a little more productive although the fish were still small.

A bonita I hooked which was cool because we got a picture of the cast too

Me trying to find where all the fish are hiding while Shiloh took a break from the sun

As we fished we did monitor Shiloh's kayak and had to pump water out about every hour or so. It was in the evening when we decided to go out and fish a little more. We were out about a 1/2 hour no more than a couple hundred yards, safe swimming distance from our camp when Shiloh caught the last fish of the trip and after checking the kayak to see it full once again it was time to land and find the hole although it didn't take long this time because when we were dragging the kayak onto shore I could see the water pouring out the back, there was the hole, at the very back of the boat.

The plan now was to camp the night, drink hot totties and enjoy the fire until our friend Jameson was gone, wake up and call in for an evacuation. Morning came and getting help couldn't be more simple with the appropriate safety equipment. I hailed for harbor patrol on my VHF Radio (cell had no reception) channel 12 with no luck, turned to channel 16 and asked if anyone could hear me located on the frontside of Catalina. Tow assist heard my call in Dana Point, asked the color of our kayaks, asked if I had a GPS which I did and gave him my exact location, told him the situation and that we were on shore safe. He relayed the info to Avalon harbor patrol who had a boat out to get us within 15 minutes, loaded our kayaks and gear and gave us a boat ride to Avalon dropping us off right at the ferry station. They shook my hand and praised me for being so prepared for an emergency and me thanking them for their help.

We spent the day at Avalon taking the opportunity to ready our gear for the ferry ride, clean up in their public showers and enjoy the extra time we now had in Avalon.

The hole in the kayak

Fun in Avalon back safe

So we made it half way and will have to return soon to finish the trip with Shiloh on a new yak. We did not have a chance to fish the area I was most excited about so until then I will look forward to the day I fish long point and whites landing.

Bryantfish · 05-26-2009, 02:27 PM

Great post! that looks like soo much fun! I have to do that this summer!

bellcon · 05-26-2009, 03:01 PM

You have some of the reports of all time!
Lucky man!

MalibuJohnny · 05-26-2009, 03:25 PM

What a great trip! I have only dreamed about my wife taking a yak trip like that!

Maybe next year!

Thanks for sharing!

DESTROYER · 05-26-2009, 03:26 PM

Nice Post! It's awesome there! Great shirt in the Pacifico Picture

Moyer

nabeeko · 05-26-2009, 03:37 PM

That's a great looking trip. Looks like you two had a great time.
Thanks for sharing!

Rik · 05-26-2009, 03:40 PM

Wow, nice report Joe!! Very cool!

Rik

tylerdurden · 05-26-2009, 04:12 PM

Cool report.

Also 5200 and duct tape would have fixed that hole overnight. If you need to you can use some small beach pebbles even for filler if the crack is too big. 5200, the faster curing one, saved a fishing adventures for one trip I was on.

JD · 05-26-2009, 04:19 PM

I always thought you couldn't bring Kayaks on the ferry/express boats to catalina. I am very pleased to hear that I may have been mis-lead, sounds like an ideal way to fish / Camp Catalina.

Does anyone have information on shuttle to Catalina from San Diego, and is the transport of Kayaks permitted?

Thanks,

JD

Holy Mackerel · 05-26-2009, 04:37 PM

You guys have nice adventures!

Thanks for sharing!

chris

Grego · 05-26-2009, 05:30 PM

wow, that is a nice looking trip. I think I'll do that sometime. Glad to see you were prepared...something for everyone to learn from.

Question: Where do you get the wood to burn? pack it in? get it dropped off? surrounding foilage?

yakrider · 05-26-2009, 05:50 PM

now that is a report!!!!
what a cool trip!!!!

JoeBeck · 05-26-2009, 06:03 PM

Tylerdurde: thanks for the tip I was thinking I needed to add marine goop to the emergency kayak supplies bag. Have duct tape in the medical bag.

Grego: No wood gathering on the island of catalina, although they do have a lot of wood around. I bring a small cake pan and grill that fits under the hatch, works great as a portable BBQ and small portable fire pit. Easy to clean up the next day.

tptrench · 05-26-2009, 06:06 PM

That is one of the coolest posts I've ever read!!

Bryantfish · 05-26-2009, 08:49 PM

and it was your b-day what a great b-day trip! to be out there with your lady, fishing,camping oh man great times!

Fiskadoro · 05-26-2009, 09:04 PM

Great report, with great pics!

Just curious how does the permit process work for beach camping?

Jim

PAL · 05-26-2009, 09:57 PM

You can always depend on the Beckerleys for great, vicarious adventures. Looked like a wonderful time, kept that way due to your thorough preparation.

Ah Catalina. Have you thought about circling the west end, Two Harbors to Parson and a long haul around the back side to Two Harbors again provided the weather is decent?

ericko · 05-26-2009, 10:16 PM

Awsome report does your wife have a sister as good looking as her that likes to fish..She is the best catch

TRIP with with female "PRICELESS"

ok enough about her were can i get the beach pass and what was the the cost to get everything over to the island

thanks

JoeBeck · 05-26-2009, 10:25 PM

Jim, you can make them online or call. Also Marina Del Rey is the only ferry I know of that will take a kayak. You can rent them in Two Harbors for a good price which I have done during past trips. For trips like this though it's nice to have your own.
http://www.visitcatalinaisland.com/t...amp_boatIn.php

Paul, we were talking about that when we were out there this weekend. I've heard the west end is a fun spot to fish.

Now what do I do with a kayak that has a hole in it?

steveooo · 05-26-2009, 10:43 PM

Awesome report Joe! Made me feel like I was there with you

05-26-2009, 02:04 PM	#1
JoeBeck Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: San Diego Posts: 370	Birthday Voyage from Two Harbors to Avalon Figured since I have been on here the last few weeks checking updates on the MLPA I'd post a report. And hell might as well make it a long one Catalina is a special place to us and we have wanted to make this kayak voyage for quite some time. What better time to do it than over my long birthday weekend The idea was to take a ferry to two harbors and kayak to Avalon in 4 days 3 nights fishing and enjoying the spectacular views the entire way. This trip would prove to be another great Beckerley adventure and show that safety doesn't happen by accident. The 1st day we boarded the Marina Del Ray Ferry arriving in Two Harbors at around 11:00am launching our kayaks just after noon. On our way to two harbors Loaded up and ready to launch We would paddle from from Isthmus cove just past Rippers Cove to a small beach camp called Paradise, this is where we would spend our 1st two nights. We concentrated our fishing to Rock Query, Yellowtail point, and Rippers Cove all well know spots between isthmus and our camp site. Relatively it was a pretty slow day with yellowtail point producing the most. All and all only small calico were caught but there were only slight winds and it turned out to be a nice paddle while fishing the whole way to camp although I was surprised we didn't get any nicer sized calico since these areas have been productive for us in the past. One of Shiloh's fish On our way we ran into a group of inexperienced kayakers who turned over, were exhausted and did not know where their camp was. Lucky for them they were close. We pulled out our 1st safety item, a map of catalina and guided them to their location. They rented their yaks, you would think they would require individuals to carry a map when renting a kayak to take out boat camping. Our camp The second day we fished a couple small points and kelp beds in front or our camp, rippers beach and a little south. Not much changed from the previous day, slow, small calico bass but beautiful weather and great beer Found some great pale ale in a can at BevMo from Colorado, it says pack it in pack it out. The can's wouldn't be the only thing we would be packing out this trip Oh yes and almost forgot we got to eat a couple sand bass tacos At some point we decided to check out Lava Beach another boat in camp site which I would recommend over paradise reason being Lava has a table which is nice. When Shiloh was exiting this beach a surge of wakes came and pushed her kayak and herself back into the shore before she entered back safely. We thought nothing of it at the time although I believe this would prove to change the itinerary of our entire trip. Me contemplating by the fire how I can spend my entire life in the outdoors not getting caught up in the daily grind of life. Birthdays sometimes make you think Day 3: We would paddle from Paradise to Italian gardens close to long point and whites landing two spots I have never fished but heard were some of the best fishing grounds on this side of the island. Long point has a shelf that drops off producing a good spot for Yellowtail, WSB, and Large Calico. Whites Landing had reports of a good Halibut bite all week. I was really looking forward to fishing these areas so we decided to wake up early and troll rapalas all the way to our new camp unload and then fish there all day. On the way Shiloh reported to me that her kayak felt heavy, tipsy and had more water on the deck than usual. All a bad sign that the inside of the yak is filled up with water. I paddled over and opened it up, I was correct there was water in the kayak. Safety item 2 used for the trip and for the 1st time ever was a hand held bilge pump. We worked together to clear the water out, without it it would have been difficult to clear the water especially with camping gear in there. We got to camp unloaded, looked at the kayak and I could not find a hole. We decided to still go out fishing staying close to shore and close to our camp. This spot was a little more productive although the fish were still small. A bonita I hooked which was cool because we got a picture of the cast too Me trying to find where all the fish are hiding while Shiloh took a break from the sun As we fished we did monitor Shiloh's kayak and had to pump water out about every hour or so. It was in the evening when we decided to go out and fish a little more. We were out about a 1/2 hour no more than a couple hundred yards, safe swimming distance from our camp when Shiloh caught the last fish of the trip and after checking the kayak to see it full once again it was time to land and find the hole although it didn't take long this time because when we were dragging the kayak onto shore I could see the water pouring out the back, there was the hole, at the very back of the boat. The plan now was to camp the night, drink hot totties and enjoy the fire until our friend Jameson was gone, wake up and call in for an evacuation. Morning came and getting help couldn't be more simple with the appropriate safety equipment. I hailed for harbor patrol on my VHF Radio (cell had no reception) channel 12 with no luck, turned to channel 16 and asked if anyone could hear me located on the frontside of Catalina. Tow assist heard my call in Dana Point, asked the color of our kayaks, asked if I had a GPS which I did and gave him my exact location, told him the situation and that we were on shore safe. He relayed the info to Avalon harbor patrol who had a boat out to get us within 15 minutes, loaded our kayaks and gear and gave us a boat ride to Avalon dropping us off right at the ferry station. They shook my hand and praised me for being so prepared for an emergency and me thanking them for their help. We spent the day at Avalon taking the opportunity to ready our gear for the ferry ride, clean up in their public showers and enjoy the extra time we now had in Avalon. The hole in the kayak Fun in Avalon back safe So we made it half way and will have to return soon to finish the trip with Shiloh on a new yak. We did not have a chance to fish the area I was most excited about so until then I will look forward to the day I fish long point and whites landing. Last edited by JoeBeck; 05-26-2009 at 10:52 PM.

05-26-2009, 03:25 PM	#4
MalibuJohnny Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Lahina (I Wish) Posts: 272	Lucky What a great trip! I have only dreamed about my wife taking a yak trip like that! Maybe next year! Thanks for sharing! __________________ Malibu Johnny must catch fish

05-26-2009, 03:40 PM	#7
Rik OEX Oceanside Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 113	Wow, nice report Joe!! Very cool! Rik __________________ Artist formerly Known as OEX Oceanside

05-26-2009, 04:12 PM	#8
tylerdurden Bad Clone Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 874	Cool report. Also 5200 and duct tape would have fixed that hole overnight. If you need to you can use some small beach pebbles even for filler if the crack is too big. 5200, the faster curing one, saved a fishing adventures for one trip I was on. __________________ MLPA, if you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem Let the Fish and Game Commission know what you think about the proposed maps. Be ready for December 9th and 10th.

05-26-2009, 04:19 PM	#9
JD Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Normal Hts Posts: 62	Marina Ferry I always thought you couldn't bring Kayaks on the ferry/express boats to catalina. I am very pleased to hear that I may have been mis-lead, sounds like an ideal way to fish / Camp Catalina. Does anyone have information on shuttle to Catalina from San Diego, and is the transport of Kayaks permitted? Thanks, JD __________________ Back home we got a taxidermy man. He gonna have a heart attack when he see what I brung him.

05-26-2009, 02:27 PM	#2
Bryantfish Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 60	Great post! that looks like soo much fun! I have to do that this summer!

05-26-2009, 03:01 PM	#3
bellcon Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: San Pedro Posts: 999	You have some of the reports of all time! Lucky man!

05-26-2009, 03:26 PM	#5
DESTROYER Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: "The Table" Posts: 976	Nice Post! It's awesome there! Great shirt in the Pacifico Picture Moyer

05-26-2009, 03:37 PM	#6
nabeeko Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 68	That's a great looking trip. Looks like you two had a great time. Thanks for sharing!

05-26-2009, 04:37 PM	#10
Holy Mackerel Señor member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 1,627	You guys have nice adventures! Thanks for sharing! chris

05-26-2009, 05:30 PM	#11
Grego Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 445	wow, that is a nice looking trip. I think I'll do that sometime. Glad to see you were prepared...something for everyone to learn from. Question: Where do you get the wood to burn? pack it in? get it dropped off? surrounding foilage?

05-26-2009, 05:50 PM	#12
yakrider Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 611	now that is a report!!!! what a cool trip!!!!

05-26-2009, 06:03 PM	#13
JoeBeck Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: San Diego Posts: 370	Tylerdurde: thanks for the tip I was thinking I needed to add marine goop to the emergency kayak supplies bag. Have duct tape in the medical bag. Grego: No wood gathering on the island of catalina, although they do have a lot of wood around. I bring a small cake pan and grill that fits under the hatch, works great as a portable BBQ and small portable fire pit. Easy to clean up the next day.

05-26-2009, 06:06 PM	#14
tptrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: pt loma Posts: 101	That is one of the coolest posts I've ever read!!

05-26-2009, 08:49 PM	#15
Bryantfish Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 60	and it was your b-day what a great b-day trip! to be out there with your lady, fishing,camping oh man great times!

05-26-2009, 09:04 PM	#16
Fiskadoro ....... Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,509	Great report Great report, with great pics! Just curious how does the permit process work for beach camping? Jim

05-26-2009, 09:57 PM	#17
PAL Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 754	You can always depend on the Beckerleys for great, vicarious adventures. Looked like a wonderful time, kept that way due to your thorough preparation. Ah Catalina. Have you thought about circling the west end, Two Harbors to Parson and a long haul around the back side to Two Harbors again provided the weather is decent?

05-26-2009, 10:16 PM	#18
ericko Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Huntington beach Posts: 594	Awsome report does your wife have a sister as good looking as her that likes to fish..She is the best catch TRIP with with female "PRICELESS" ok enough about her were can i get the beach pass and what was the the cost to get everything over to the island thanks

05-26-2009, 10:25 PM	#19
JoeBeck Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: San Diego Posts: 370	Jim, you can make them online or call. Also Marina Del Rey is the only ferry I know of that will take a kayak. You can rent them in Two Harbors for a good price which I have done during past trips. For trips like this though it's nice to have your own. http://www.visitcatalinaisland.com/t...amp_boatIn.php Paul, we were talking about that when we were out there this weekend. I've heard the west end is a fun spot to fish. Now what do I do with a kayak that has a hole in it?

05-26-2009, 10:43 PM	#20
steveooo Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 1,921	Awesome report Joe! Made me feel like I was there with you