Fished today 3/22/13. Lost Turbo Fin
 

Lost a Hobie Turbo fin and a fishing pole at the La Jolla Boat Launch area while coming in around 9:30AM. Not too worried about the fishing pole but if anyone finds the fins can you please let me know. I will be very grateful and buy you lunch.

Member since Dec or Jan but haven't posted because I'm new to this ocean kayaking and I haven't caught anything big to write about.

It was a horrible morning to launch. Waves 2-4 feet. Windy and cold. But it was my day off and haven't fished in a month or so so I was eager to get out there. I saw another guy try to launch and the waves flipped him over and broke his pole in half. I waited for the right set of waves and made my way out. Another guy was launching alongside of me and both of us made it out safe. I think there was maybe 3 of us kayakers out there and a few boats. I've never seen so few fishermen out there, even on a weekday. Maybe I should have taken that as a sign. lol. Once I got out I could barely fish because the swells were so huge and so up and down that I was getting seasick. I was all wet and cold and couldn't stay out there too long. I thought I would be ok coming back in but a huge wave lifted my backside and I was almost vertical and I flipped over. I didn't think about fins cuz of all the waves that were pounding me and I was trying to get to shore asap while grabbing what I can see. I had all my bags and other things tied to the line but I didn't secure the fins. When I came back to shore I assessed all the damage. Got soaking wet, lost my sunglasses, lost a pole, broke another in half, and lost my Turbo fins. I even asked a couple of swimmers to see if they can find it. Lesson learned. Next time when the waves are that bad I'm going to leave the fins inside and beach it with the fins pushed back all the way to the side. Or don't go out when the waves are that bad.

So if anyone finds the fins please let me know. Thanks.

Does anyone know if those things ever wash up on shore or does it disappear into the abyss?

Did you lose just the fins...or the whole drive? The whole drive right? Wow bummer....

sorry about your mishap- will happen to all of us sooner or later (unless it already has!).Glad you were not harmed. Your last couple sentences show you have learned from the experience. I always keep my fins locked in and held flat w/ bungie. My buddy doesn't like to do that so he has it leashed at all times. Both ways seem to work.

That's a bummer. If you don't know about this site its fairly accurate and very helpful for planning trips to the shores.

Scripps Bouy

Check this first before heading for LJ... good luck!

http://www.surfline.com/surf-report/...lifornia_4812/

Bummer! Don't let that discourage you for from future fishing trips. A few years ago I made that mistake and lost my fins too. I'm sure many other people on here have given Davy Jones a few hundred $$ too... :( Lesson learned

The next low tide is at 2am tomorrow morning. Go back to the launch and there is 50% chance you will find them. I seriously doubt the high tide will ever wash them up.

Yeah, I was thinking about putting on a wetsuit and snorkels during low tide and looking for them. Thanks.

Wow. Thank you for that. This is an awesome tool. Seems like I went at the highest swell. Perfect timing. :(

So do you not go out there at all when the swells are high or do you risk it when you are dying to go fishing?

The whole drive.

How would I be able to see anything?

I you have to buy a set,go to search all junk.com....... search's all the major sites at once.

Big ass flash light? :)

Wow. Thank you for that. This is an awesome tool. Seems like I went at the highest swell. Perfect timing. :(

So do you not go out there at all when the swells are high or do you risk it when you are dying to go fishing?

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I try to avoid anything over 3' with my outback as i am not as skilled as all of these guys on this site. But I have gone out when its bad, an just make sure all of my stuff is tied down real well. I always check my fins to make sure its all tight too, it tends to loosen up. I try to time the waves and as soon as one passes HAUL ASS! We all have been tossed, check the web and head back out! :cheers1:

you could also check the LJ web cam as well before you go. Just be careful out there, if you think the surf is beyond your abilities, just stay on the beach and watch the show before you head home with all your gear and your pride intact.

http://www.bigwatersedge.com/index.p...lashoreswebcam

http://sio.ucsd.edu/piercam/

I was seriously for a moment thinking of getting a boat with a motor!!! Sorry. I know that word is forbidden here. hahahahaha. But then I wouldn't have the pleasure of reading all of your stories and being able to relate to them. lol.

lessons learned
 

If your gut is nervous or the hairs on the back of your neck stand up, pack up your stuff and head to the bay. It is the perfect training ground. I also have had a couple of "interesting" first launches. I tumbled in the surf and capsized all on the same day. I think I am ready to try again though. The only good thing for me was it seemed like I had all my stuff secured well. The only thing I lost was a tackle pack that was not secured. Full of good irons! Just take your time. The fish will be there.

Janine:you_rock:

Barged through some gnarly surf before. It's always possible but if there's swell in the water it's not always fun going up and down for hours on end. I usually take the weeks forecast into account before I decide when I'm gonna fish. <3 ft And <10knots wind mean I'm on the water.


And keep that mirage drive locked in!!!!!!

yard sale
 

mezaline motion sickness every time I go. sea sick and 1.5-2 hours of work is no fun.

I almost never not go if i already drove an hour to get there. of course i always check the swell and cam before I go.

High Tide
 

If it were my drive down there I'd snorkel it at high tide. It's hard to see things in the whitewater, at high tide your drive might the in blue water and easier to find.

I only remove my drive to clear any kelp that may have gotten stuck on it while fishing.

Many people land with the drive in which allows you to haul ass in and avoid wipeouts in the first place ( almost always:D)



Anyways, why not have your drive on a leash at all times?

Wooooww!!! :( that seriously sucks, I hope someone finds it & returns it to you. Broken rod sucks too :( . One of my biggest fears about surf launches & landings. :confused:
FFY.

Sorry to hear about your episode.
Thanks for that link - I could never hunt it down since they updated their web site. I updated the link on the webcam page.

You're right Gabe! It ought to be washed up on the sand, the Mirage drive is heavy.

I drove by the launch around 6:00 PM. It was laying down, looked ok. You could find lulls and easily land.

But there were also sneakers sets that seemed ugly. Relentless, short interval.

There was a small craft advisory yesterday and today. It's not worth going out in those conditions because you could lose everything. Be thankful that only the mirage drive is missing.

Wow that sucks...hopefully they turn up. Check craigslist (via searchtempest) and you might find some cheaper as well.

Chalk it off to a learning experience. :)

Adi...I'm close to breaking the code talk. If you added in "seeing what appeared to be a large shark fin just past the breakers..." I'd be heading out for sure. :cheers1:

WOW!
 

Well, at least you are OK. The last time I was at La Jolla I saw a guy get knocked out. Literally a kayak to the face--not cool.

I know it goes against the grain, but I often come in with my fins in place. I know that the extra speed has saved me more than once. If you feel that you are going to tag the bottom, push and pull the fins so that they are flat against the bottom of the kayak, it you do hit bottom it won't be so bad.

Keep trying.

That sucks bro:( I am sorry to see that happened to you. I was the guy from Chicago that met you at the launch. A couple tips when heading in that may save you in those situations. First and most important take your time. Sit outside the break for as long a it takes to see those far sets and how they are devloping. I sat for a good 10min yesterday till I make the paddle in. Second use the bungee in your Hobie to secure your fins and have them hug the hull. Third always check behind you as you come in, if you see a big swell turn your yak sideways and put your paddle into the wave and lean into the wave. Lastly if the wave is too big and you are close to shore jump out, point your yak at the beach and hold on. The yak will usually stay upright and pull you in. Sorry about the drive I hope you keep up with the sport, I look forward to seeing you out there again sometime.
Chuck

Jump out, grab the kayak mid section handle, like a " T ".
Kayak parallel to the shore, wave coming behind you.
Float your feet out, let the wave push you in.
Safe and easy.

I found point the kayak at the beach will sometime flip over too.
Just my 2 cents.

Danny

With a low tide the water recedes and the drive might be sitting on the sand. Low tide = low or no water line on the sand where you flipped.

I think we (the BWE army) should recruit the neighboring scuba crew to seek out our lost gear - they could make a killing on lost rods/gear at the point and everywhere in between.

To all,
Is there an LJ scuba forum to post on?

I honestly didn't think I was gonna go vertical like that. All others times I've just rode the wave in and never kick me up like that. But then again, I never went out when there were such big waves. I didn't even have time to think about that. I just trusted my experience...which wasn't that much. Thank you for the advice. I'll jump in next time. I didn't know how deep it was so that's why I was afraid to jump in.

What do you really think happens to all the dropped items? Do you think it gets covered by layers and layers of sand or do you think it gets swept out to deeper areas? Do you think it's possible that it would still be there all exposed?

The whole drive will definitely be sticking out of the sand - probably half burried. Now the turbo fin I lost last Sunday - it is most likely burried as it was just the fin, not the drive. I'm still going to gather up the snorkeling gear and make an exploratory run tomorrow morning before it gets crazy with the rental fleet, maybe I can find both of our stuff.
I know how I would feel having to buy a whole drive - it was bad enough spending the $106 for the fin replacement!