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It was a sad day: Newport
It all started about a month ago. I was having nothing to do and was surfing on BD then found the kayak sub-forum, which led me to this forum. Then a week later, a friend who has 2 kayaks asked me to join him for a kayak and fishing session in Long Beach bay. It was fun, my friend caught a lot of croakers with mussels, I was throwing swimbait and picked up quite a few spotted bay bass, couple legals, and some short halis. I was hooked and spent a lot of my free time here on BWE reading and researching. One week later, with the limitted buget, I bought my first kayak, an Ocean Scramber, used, but good enough to be rigged up for fishing the bay I guess. I was happy and excited. Spent 2 weeks gathering stuffs spent all the time I had during those 2 weeks rigged it up with 2 flush mount rod holders, added a egg crate with a custom "bucket" bait tank with all the needed plumbings and 4 rod holders, running all the wires and added a hummingbird 595ci FF. Waited day by day until Sunday for the grand opening of my kayak. Saturday night, I put everything on the kayak to get used setting it up so I would have to spent less time at the beach and more time to fishing. Everything is completed. I arranged stuffs in different bags so I have an easier time locating them.
Sunday, arrived to Newport kid beach @ 5am, set up my kayak and realized I must had left the bag with all the leashes in the backyard. Figured it couldn't be that bad with out the leashes in the bay, so I proceeded and launched around 6am. It was windy with offshore winds but it was a nice day with full of expectations on my new little toy. And the most depressing day of my fishing life began. While paddling out to the bait barge, as we were about a hundred ft away I switched on the pump to fill the baiit tank with water. Mettered a lot of fish on a spot that we just passed through so I turned to the left to talk to my friend of coming back here later to fish. It was right then I got hit by a sideway wave from an open-party charter boat and flipped over.:mad:. My first instint was to grab my gears but everything went by so fast, and I could only grab my tackle box. By the time I flipped my yak back and got back on it. I wanted to cry, all my rods were gone, galf, landing net, battery, anchor, everything, just gone. There was something extremely uncomfortable stuck at my chest, my heart sank looking at my empty kayak with I spent weeks hoping, dreaming and rigging. The gears which I spent countless time researching and saving to get, all were my favorites which I selected to accompany me to my first kayak trip. GONE. Only my sabiki rod is left I can't quite imagine why I would flip too easily in the bay, not on open water. I had been on rental kayak and my friends kayak many time and had never flipped so easily. Maybe it was the way my yak was built? I have no knowledge in yak design, but the only thing I noticed was my Ocean Scrambler's width is significant smaller than my friends' no-brand yak and others that I saw at the launch that day. Was it the smaller width with the added bait tank half full with water, or was it me? I mean I don't have experience with yak in open water, but I've been on one many time in the bays. I don't know and kept asking myself why did I flipped so easily. I said easily because 30 mins later of my initial I was sitting next to my friend fishing with my sabiki rod, I got flipped again. After that, I just got discourage and didn't feel like fishing anymore, plus the cold was kicking in with the wind and all the wet clothes so I went back to the landing beach. While at the beach, I met and chatted with a nice guy who also a member here on BWE. His name is Wes, and he was on a red hobie (forgot a model), who offered condolence and asked for my phone number and said he'll give me a call in case he snag any of my gear while trolling for halis. Thanks Wes, no matter if you run into my gear or not. Total lost was around a grand of long time savings and collecting. New Landing net, bait net: $40 New Galf: $30 Carrot Stick spinning w/ Abu reel: $150 Carrot Stick Gold 7'10 & Shimano 201 TE: $500 Abu Garcia Volatile & Daiwa Lexa 300: $300 Battery & Box: $90 Anchor & Rope: $25 Pliers: $10 Sandals: found 1 :luxhello:, the other drifted away :mad: Filet Knife Sunglasses It was a sad and depressing day indeed. I spent over an hr try to snag my gears with a trebble hook and sinker but didn't run into them. Maybe the current drifted it somewhere else in the bay. Maybe someone with a food down imaging FF might be able to locate them and have some use of them. I'm sorry, I was lurking and reading on this forum for the last couple weeks, and was really looking forward to post my first report here with a nice catch but not, something caught me :(. |
Yes it is depressing. Now take that empty yak, put on your life preserver and learn all you can. Play with it empty, fill the bait tank, play with it full. See what it takes to flip it. LEARN the boats limits and yours, learn how to take a wake. Get to know your machine. Then go to your local OEX dealer and ask questions and demo. Find the boat that is right for you. Look used, look for demo deals. You know this will only make you a better yaker. Good luck, you are still safe! And remember this lesson, tye things down, it was an expensive lesson. My lesson was in the surf, I thank god survived it.
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A sad day indeed, I feel for ya bro.....Just remember the ass is the center of gravity 100% of the time!!!
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[QUOTE=makobob;161092]Yes it is depressing. Now take that empty yak, put on your life preserver and learn all you can. Play with it empty, fill the bait tank, play with it full. See what it takes to flip it.
He just went through all that!!!:doh: |
sorry to hear you lost all your gear...well live and learn, when you fill your bait tank/bucket that can really screw with your stability. When that swell hit you and if your bait tank was filled too high, it could possibly pull you over. Get back on your kayak and try again. Your not the only one that has lost gear.....
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someone once asked me, "why do you have so many f-en leashes on your yak"
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I flipped on my first trip out too and lost about $800 in gear. I flipped after turning back reaching for my game clip 30 yards from bait barge. I was surprised how easy the cobra flipped. my center shifted and in I went; it was that easy.
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Dylan,
It was nice meeting you even though you had just gone through the ringer. I didn't manage to find any of your gear after several drifts through the area you mentioned. Keep your chin up, and take this expensive lesson for what it is worth. Much better to lose some replaceable gear then to get hurt or end up dead. I second the recomendation to take out the yak and get more comfortable with it before heading out with a bunch of gear again. It was pretty choppy out there by the barge, and the cattle boats don't ever seem to follow the 10 MPH rule and kick up huge wakes, especially out near the entrance to the harbor. There were a couple of times when I was turned around getting a bait yesterday that I felt that balance shift happeneing but I was able to correct in time. Keep at it and don't give up! This is just a speed bump on the way to killer fishing for you! |
Welcome to the community, sorry it happened on your maiden voyage. Don't beat yourself up, I hope to see lots of successful reports from ya!
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The second time I flipped was when the bait tank and kayak was empty :(
Thanks all for words of encouragement. Thanks you Wes for the attempt to recover my lost gear. |
Insurance
Check your insurance if you have homeowners. A few years ago I got flipped by a whale and lost all of my gear. Usaa covered the entire thing......minus deductible.
It was worth the phone call. |
dude, that sucks! i did my first surf launch in samo and took a beating, broke a rod and almost lost another. my leash even broke on it.
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Scrambler owner here. It is a slim hull, fairly stable... but not stand-on-it stable. That's why I leash everything down and am prepared to flip at any time. Learn to keep your head above the yak at all times. The second you lean over to see what's in the water is the second you fall over. Also with wakes try and hit them perpendicular. A good wake if hit dead on sideways will rock you no matter what yak you are on.
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A sad story, but as was stated before, At least you are here to fish another day. Gear is expensive but your life is priceless.
If you need some gear PM me and I will help you out. :reel: Fish on brother! |
Man that suks I was pissed losing my lil tackle box of owner hooks last time I went out lj. I thought it be safe in the little net pocket of my hobie. To my dismay I lost it while lauching. So I only could imagine how you feel
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yakattack, what is your weight if you don't mind me asking, and what type of kayak did you buy?
It sounds like A) you might be too heavy withall your gear for your kayak. The Ocean Scrambler 11 only holds about 300 to 350lbs so this plus a bucket full of water can make you top heavy, if your a heavyset person. b) you might of just lost your balance because you were not paying attention to the swells and water, also make sure you don't have a leak. Everyone on this website has lost alot of items during their first few months, but some of us have to learn the hard way.Some people don't learn their lesson and still lose things. Yes, it terrible that you made such a mistake, but its good to look back and get up and not give up because that is the only true failure in life. I learned this the hard way: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/in...4215850AAAUT8W Who should sit at the front of the Kayak? I own a tandem cobra kayak, holds 600lbs. I am a 260lbs 6ft tall male. My friend is 6.9ft and 220 lbs. I read that the heavier person should sit in the stern section of the kayak, but we found it easier for the taller person to sit it the back. Whenever my 6.9 ft friend sat on the bow we would capsize, i assume because he couldn't keep his balance. We also had trouble keeping out balance when a huge wake of a boat hit us. 3 years ago Additional Details Now please keep in mind, that the only equipment we carry is the paddles and life vest. This is a sit on top kayak and we did not capsize once when the male 6ft tall 260lbs person sat in the front. 3 years ago Now usually when i go out, i put my seat in the middle of the kayak and take my 30lb daughter with me. I have never capsized this way and we always stay inside of the marinas. 3 years ago Would it be easier to just make the cobra tandem a one seater by adjusting the seat near the middle and renting a second kayak like a cobra fish and dive for the other person? 3 years ago Capt. John Capt. John A Top Contributor is someone who is knowledgeable in a particular category. Best Answer - Chosen by Voters There are Kayaks for "Tall & Large" just as there are speciality men's shops. I agree, the tallest should sit in the rear... but that is not the problem here. Your problem is not who is sitting in the front... it is simply that your kayak is too small. Legally, Kayak manufacturers do not have to rate their vessels on any type of "stability" factors - only capacity weight. So "technically" you could fill the inside of your kayak with 600lbs of lead (all down in the hull) and all would be fine. But add half that weight to the top of the kayak (rather then the inside) and it will capsize every time. Your problem is you guys are both too tall & too large for that kayak. I realize the boat manuel or capacity plate may say it will hold 600lbs but that (alone) is not a good representation of the vessel's stability. At almost 500 lbs the two of you plus equipment & gear, etc. are pushing the very limit. If you weigh all your gear, equipment, beverage & beverage cooler, etc. you will probably find you are within 10% of the maximum load limit. If you are both broad in the shoulders, your weight is high, and the boat is low in the water. This of course makes it extremely unstable. Loaded to within 10% of capacity, a lot of vessels (not just kayaks) would capsize if a few people more then half walked over to starboard. In fact, a houseboat with the exact number of people stated on it's mfg's capacity plate recently capsized because too many of them were on the upper deck. I suggest you get a kayak made for "Tall & Large" kayakers... |
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I don't have a bunch of extras, but I do have a couple of extras I'd be happy to part with. |
Let me know where all this is I will scuba drive and recover for a small fee...
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If it's not tied down, there's a good chance you'll loose it. . .
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Sorry to hear about your bad day.
As a newbie to kayak fishing I too am concerned about tipping. I plan to do empty run as suggested in a shallow area. I do have many leashes though that I have made. Not sure if I will ever get a live bait tank. Wanted to use the floating net bait containers, but I have read less than favorable views about them. |
dude how deep where you? Get a mask and fins and go dive for that stuff.
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Wow, thanks all.. I'm speechless, you guys certainly made my day better for the fact that people cared :).
I actually had prepared enough leashes for everything, but I guess the excitement of my first launch made me overlook them and forgot the little bag that they were in, and paid the price. Hypoxic1: Thank you. Unfortunately I don't own a home, but thanks for the head up. Hondatom: Thank you brother, u are so generous. Wiredantz: Thanks for the load of helpful infos. I actually researched quite a lot before my launch. But I think cuz of past experience with kayaking in the bays, I kinda got confidence and assumed that I would be fine as long as I don't go out open water. To answer your question, I'm about 5'8 and 155lbs, not too heavy for that weight capacity. I guess the weight of the bait tank made me top-heavy and the sideway wake tipped me over on my initial flip. I still flipped one more after the bait tank was empty though. Maybe because I suck :) DanaPT: Thank you bro. Your offer is priceles :). Bsamoska: You got PM. Thanks. Thanks all. You guys r the bomb. |
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1. My swimming suck, and I ears wanna explode going down 8-10ft in a pool, I doubt if I would be able to dive that deep. 2. Visibility: I doubt if the visibility is good enough for me to see them on the bottom that deep with the murky water in the bay. 3. Current must have drifted the gears quite a big too. I tried snagging them with a heavy sinker and trebble hook but had no luck because I had no idea where they are now. I tried the area where I flipped but couldn't hook into anything but eel grass. I gave up after over an hr because of the current, It would have me like 10 minutes to paddle to the spot, after I casted out and reel in i'm in another 10 minutes paddling away from where I cast. Repeated the process many time and finally gave up. |
I feel for you man...
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I feel for you. It's the worst when you spill out in open water. I have done it twice. Once last year while lobstering south of bird rock in LJ during the red tide and the second time when I tried standing up in my Revo to look at some action going on near me, epic mistake, lol! I was lucky enough to recover all my gear however.
I have a custom made Phenix rod that is killer, I will give you a super special price on it if you PM me. Does not apply to anyone else.... Sneak peak of part of it.... |
Sorry to hear you lost your gear. I know how it feels. Glad your safe.
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Aww man that really stinks. I hope you can get help recovering some of it.
If you can, sell or trade the yak for a more stable (wider) one. It can't be much fun fishing if you're worried about flipping all the time. I know how much you were looking forward to having some great kayak fishing adventures, but I hope you don't let this stop you from getting back out there and landing some fish. |
This may sound stupid but I have to ask... What is the best way to attach a leash to your rod so it stays out of the way? I'm using spinning gear at the moment (upgrading soon) and find the leash gets in the way when I attach it to the base of the reel where it meets the pole.
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Thanks for posting your experience
It takes a lot of guts to be as honest as you were about your experience. It means that you will learn from it, and you won't make that mistake again. I'll bet next time you leave that bag of leashes, you will turn around and go get them! Someone posted something about keeping your head over the top of your yak. This is sooo true. When I flipped in open water, it was because of water in my hull (due to eating it in the surf...), AND because I leaned over to do something and you would be amazed at how EASY it is to flip. Also like someone else posted, the ass is the center of gravity in the yak.
Sorry about your gear, I'm happy you are OK. Yes, it is depressing, and discouraging, and humbling. This is the most amazing type of fishing I have ever done, and also the most heartbreaking at times! just don't stop! :you_rock: Janine |
Bro, I am sorry to hear this. About two weeks ago I almost ate it right outside of oceanside harbor. The AAVs were operating and were blasting me with wake. The next thing you know I turn around and my rudder was no where to be seen because the rear of my yak was under water. I had a rough 1/3 of a mile to paddle before i got back into the harbor and finally flipped near the rocks beside the bait barge. My leashes saved all my gear and I was able tho throw all my gear on the shore and had some hott chick watch it for me. I had to swim my yak that was full of water all the way back down to the landing and drain it. So yes i learned two lessons from my incident. Leashes work and chick love dudes that paddle.
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I love a good story with a nice ending... hope you got her number :D. YakAttak, I have a brand new spare folding net for use on a yak. PM me if you want it. We all learn from our mistakes.... just don't make a habit of it ;) |
Doggman,
You'll see lots of different ways to leash the rod. I use a large SS split ring, double HD tie wraps, swivel eye boat snap and nylon cord. The ring is up and out of the way of the reel. They are tied to the rod holders so there is no way to forget them, unless I forget the bait tank, that is. They have saved me lots of gear in my less than elegant blue water moments. http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwegall.../500/ring1.jpg http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwegall.../500/ring2.jpg One thing you have watch is turning around to face towards the back (my old Cobra was notorious for this). Its easy to lose your balance this way. In this position, if you start to tip, you will naturally lean into the tip and not away from it. Sayonara! |
I've been on kayaks many time and spent a lot of hr on the water, but I never knew and now realized that it doesn't take that much to get flipped. Evidently it had happenned to a lot of people, some people were able to recovered their gears (which i'm glad), and some learned the lession the hard way like me and lost all the gears. It's heart-sinking, but I will get out there again. It will just take some time to prepare some fishing gears and I'll be back making up for all i've lost to the bottom of ocean.
What really amazed me the most on this forum is the amount of people who cared, and offered helps. Thank you all for your kindness and generosity. Alanw: I definite thought about what you said about switching to a more stable kayak after I flipped the 2nd time. Unfortunately, it's not gonna happen anytime soon :) but I definitely hope so cuz I'm kinda nervous gettng flipped again on that yak Fishraker: thank you for sharing your experience. I hope you got her number too and she didn't disappear with all your gears when you got back LOL. |
If you feel like hitting lj let me know. I will take you out. Bring the sabiki. I will supply the other rods.
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When I first got my yak I launched at baby beach and tested it's stability in a few feet of water. I sat sideways, sat on the edge, climbed up front to the hatch, leaned over, stood up, reached around to the back, etc.. I found out a little bit about my yak and what I can do while still feeling safe. I just got some experience with my yak. I know what it feels like when it's getting close to the point of no return and I think that experience has helped me out ever since.
Since you may be keeping your yak, I hope you just go out and test it a bit, get comfortable on it. |
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I'm just kidding bro :) Seriously, I've never been to La Jolla and don't know how is the swell there, but I assume it's not open water, not bay?. Thank you for the offer, I will remember the offer and hold it to you when I'm ready to go out again as I gain more experience with the kayak on the water. Only problem with gear is that I'm the minority of people out there who can only fish with left-hand reel :( |
First off, so sorry for your losses, but your safe at least. When replacing your bait casters, get some Cardiffs. $110, and they work great.
As far as flipping goes, get in the habit of doing 2 things... 1) When you're not paddling throw your legs over the sides of the yak. You'd be surprised to find out how much that increases your stability. 2) When you need to get something behind you, sit side-saddle. Brace each side with your hands and then turn your whole body sideways so that both legs hang over the same side. Then reach back. When you do this, make sure you keep your butt and upper torso over the center of the yak. As has already been said, practice with out any gear on board, except for a bait tank filled with water. I need to look for it, but I think I have a 6v battery you can have for the bait tank. Keep at it, practice, and you'll be fine in the Scrambler. |
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For the record... the swell by and large in open water is relatively predictable. On the other hand you have relatively small waves in the bay, but highly unpredictable larger waves from traffic. On big swell periods you are safer in the bay. During a small swell light wind day...my money is on the open water. |
http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwegall.../500/ring1.jpg
http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwegall.../500/ring2.jpg That's pretty close to the way I have mine setup. |
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