Sad Day in LJ - Lost Mirage Drive - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

fresh to salt · 06-09-2018, 12:30 PM

Made it to LJ this morning at 615 to decent launch conditions. After loading up all my crap, I watched a few sets of waves and launched to 2-3 footers. After making it through (or so I thought) one last wave built up... The nose of the kayak punched through just enough but the wave over the top slammed me hard enough to cause me to lose my balance and I capsize... Damn it! First time for everything I guess. In my head I thought, "Good thing I have everything tethered down.". Only it was not to be.

After righting my kayak and pushing my bait tank and three rods back onto the stern of the kayak, I look around to see my mini cooler floating behind me and all of its contents floating around it. I quickly pick everything up and toss it back into the kayak and I look up to find myself in the middle of the surf zone. I continue to get worked but a few waves but look in my kayak and realize my mirage drive is gone! Only the paracord line connected to my kayak.

I then proceeded to drag my kayak and all of its contents back onto the beach next to onlookers and walk back out to search for my mirage drive. After an hour of searching, I walked up to one of the kayak rental shops and rented a wetsuit, mask and snorkel. Two hours of snorkelling yielded no results. I packed all of my crap onto my car and after one last, longing, look at the surf zone, I drove back home to Menifee with my tail wrapped firmly between my legs... Long story short, if anyone happens to find a mirage drive with Gray and Black turbo fins, they are most likely mine... The conditions out there looked great today! I hope everyone out there had a better day than I did! Definitely not the day I wanted to have back out on the water...

If anyone happens to come across my mirage drive, my number is 402-301-4246 and my name is Matt. Thanks...

Phishphood · 06-09-2018, 12:36 PM

There is a Facebook group called la Jolla Shores lost and found. Try there and with the lifeguards too

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

fresh to salt · 06-09-2018, 12:51 PM

Thanks! I requested to join the FB group.

fourtogo · 06-10-2018, 01:35 AM

Mirage Drive that a expensive morining . I sure hope that drive turns up for you .

da22y · 06-10-2018, 07:11 AM

1. Do not use cheap plastic clip that will easily break.

2. Use 2 strong para cords with 2 anchor point for the added peace of mind.

The newest mirage drive 180 turbo are $836 plus shipping, I can feel your pain....

https://www.austinkayak.com/products...urbo-Fins.html

Dannowar · 06-10-2018, 09:51 AM

Still will never understand why guys dont launch and land with your drives in.

TJones · 06-10-2018, 10:09 AM

Hobie lease shortened and loop created and sewn back together by professional. Secured to drive . Brass buckle fastened to secure location on kayak . Chance of loosing drive almost nil.

f'nsabiki · 06-10-2018, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dannowar

Still will never understand why guys dont launch and land with your drives in.

I agree!! I've had the same drive for 15 years and countless crashes.

Ddwineguy · 06-10-2018, 12:31 PM

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

FISH11 · 06-10-2018, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dannowar

Still will never understand why guys dont launch and land with your drives in.

X2

TJones · 06-11-2018, 06:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by f'nsabiki

I agree!! I've had the same drive for 15 years and countless crashes.

Countless , upon countless

steve999 · 06-11-2018, 11:29 AM

If you can't find your drive and want to buy a used one, I'll sell you one I have for half price of retail ($315). It's a turbo fin with the upgraded bearings, but not the 180 model. PM me if you're interested. But I won't be back in town until next Monday the 18th. I'm in Long Beach.

WARRIORMIKE · 06-11-2018, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dannowar

Still will never understand why guys dont launch and land with your drives in.

I tried that once. Busted the rods on my fins.

JohnMckroidJr · 06-11-2018, 03:18 PM

Sorry to read about your loss -- Overconfidence is a killer. Last time I lost some stuff in the surf, I grabbed my swim goggles thinking I would see it, but murky conditions prevented that. I finally found the stuff by walking around until I bumped into it with my feet. I bet next time you will have a good leash on your mirage.

fourtogo · 06-12-2018, 12:33 AM

You think with any drive unit AS $ PRICY AS THERE ARE . The manufacturer would build a leash as part of there kayak unit on each hull .

tacmik · 06-12-2018, 06:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fourtogo

You think with any drive unit AS $ PRICY AS THERE ARE . The manufacturer would build a leash as part of there kayak unit on each hull .

What. And lose all the obscene profits they make every time someone loses a drive in the surf. Bring that up in a meeting and see if you don't get fired.

TJones · 06-12-2018, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tacmik

What. And lose all the obscene profits they make every time someone loses a drive in the surf. Bring that up in a meeting and see if you don't get fired.

This is a business . 🤔

YTHunter · 06-13-2018, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WARRIORMIKE

I tried that once. Busted the rods on my fins.

minor detail... you need to be in at least 2 ft of water.

Dannowar · 06-14-2018, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YTHunter

minor detail... you need to be in at least 2 ft of water.

or just have the pedal pushed forward

makobob · 06-14-2018, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dannowar

Still will never understand why guys dont launch and land with your drives in.

I second that thought. Works for me, much easier and safer too. Tight Lines amigos.

06-09-2018, 12:30 PM	#1
fresh to salt Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Menifee, CA Posts: 53	Sad Day in LJ - Lost Mirage Drive Made it to LJ this morning at 615 to decent launch conditions. After loading up all my crap, I watched a few sets of waves and launched to 2-3 footers. After making it through (or so I thought) one last wave built up... The nose of the kayak punched through just enough but the wave over the top slammed me hard enough to cause me to lose my balance and I capsize... Damn it! First time for everything I guess. In my head I thought, "Good thing I have everything tethered down.". Only it was not to be. After righting my kayak and pushing my bait tank and three rods back onto the stern of the kayak, I look around to see my mini cooler floating behind me and all of its contents floating around it. I quickly pick everything up and toss it back into the kayak and I look up to find myself in the middle of the surf zone. I continue to get worked but a few waves but look in my kayak and realize my mirage drive is gone! Only the paracord line connected to my kayak. I then proceeded to drag my kayak and all of its contents back onto the beach next to onlookers and walk back out to search for my mirage drive. After an hour of searching, I walked up to one of the kayak rental shops and rented a wetsuit, mask and snorkel. Two hours of snorkelling yielded no results. I packed all of my crap onto my car and after one last, longing, look at the surf zone, I drove back home to Menifee with my tail wrapped firmly between my legs... Long story short, if anyone happens to find a mirage drive with Gray and Black turbo fins, they are most likely mine... The conditions out there looked great today! I hope everyone out there had a better day than I did! Definitely not the day I wanted to have back out on the water... If anyone happens to come across my mirage drive, my number is 402-301-4246 and my name is Matt. Thanks...

06-10-2018, 01:35 AM	#4
fourtogo Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Posts: 140	Mirage Drive that a Mirage Drive that a expensive morining . I sure hope that drive turns up for you .

06-10-2018, 07:11 AM	#5
da22y Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 265	Expensive lesson 1. Do not use cheap plastic clip that will easily break. 2. Use 2 strong para cords with 2 anchor point for the added peace of mind. The newest mirage drive 180 turbo are $836 plus shipping, I can feel your pain.... https://www.austinkayak.com/products...urbo-Fins.html Last edited by da22y; 06-10-2018 at 02:36 PM.

06-10-2018, 09:51 AM	#6
Dannowar Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 1,823	Still will never understand why guys dont launch and land with your drives in. __________________ "Beware the lollipop of mediocrity; lick it once and you’ll suck forever." — Brian Wilson

06-10-2018, 10:09 AM	#7
TJones Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 2,526	Plastic clip removed Hobie lease shortened and loop created and sewn back together by professional. Secured to drive . Brass buckle fastened to secure location on kayak . Chance of loosing drive almost nil.

06-09-2018, 12:36 PM	#2
Phishphood Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Posts: 346	There is a Facebook group called la Jolla Shores lost and found. Try there and with the lifeguards too Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

06-09-2018, 12:51 PM	#3
fresh to salt Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Menifee, CA Posts: 53	Thanks! I requested to join the FB group.

06-10-2018, 12:31 PM	#9
Ddwineguy Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: san diego Posts: 210	Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

06-11-2018, 11:29 AM	#12
steve999 Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Posts: 39	Mirage drive If you can't find your drive and want to buy a used one, I'll sell you one I have for half price of retail ($315). It's a turbo fin with the upgraded bearings, but not the 180 model. PM me if you're interested. But I won't be back in town until next Monday the 18th. I'm in Long Beach.

06-11-2018, 03:18 PM	#14
JohnMckroidJr Senior Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Fort Lauderdale Posts: 1,945	Sorry to read about your loss -- Overconfidence is a killer. Last time I lost some stuff in the surf, I grabbed my swim goggles thinking I would see it, but murky conditions prevented that. I finally found the stuff by walking around until I bumped into it with my feet. I bet next time you will have a good leash on your mirage.

06-12-2018, 12:33 AM	#15
fourtogo Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Posts: 140	Drive unit You think with any drive unit AS $ PRICY AS THERE ARE . The manufacturer would build a leash as part of there kayak unit on each hull .