Cab & Swimming 7/24

[b dble dblr un]

Highlights of San Mateo run on 7/24.....
Launched Yak at 8am +/- without getting wet, new cuda 300 worked great, couldn't believe I thought I could get buy without one, fished the rock piles south of launch at 40 to 60 feet, lost several fish due to bite and spit, kept one brown, three reds 18" to 20", one brown ling at 30'' and one cab at 24" that fought like a bull dog and growed at me when he came on board, started the paddle in while dragging the ling the cab and one red when I realized the fish were acting like a drift sock, got the bright idea to haul the fish on board, while reaching a little to far and lifting a little to much I rolled my yak over, so now i'm swimming, flipped yak upright on second attemp, gathering up a few floating items to place back on board, kicking my 3mil waders and deciding it would be a good idea to buckle up my PFD because it was riding up around my head, thought about calling for help after my firts attempts to get myself back in failed, I thought inlfating my secondary fanny belt PFD would'nt be a good idea becasue it would get in the way when tring to reboard, I thought watching those videos of how to self rescue in a sit kayak wasn't helping much, thought I should have tried self rescue at cowls beach like I told myself I would, after maybe 8 to 10 attempts i finally got my beer belly back in the yak and was laying face down with my head in my seat thinking hallaluwya i'm safe and back in my yak, after catching my breath i started thinking about rolling over (carfully) and getting on home, during my careful rollover atempt i went back in for another swim, being practiced this time went much better.  Think I'll take Mooch and the boys advise and stick with bros from now on.  How do I post pics of my cab, anyone?

[PISCEAN]

spooky! Nice work on the fish, but that is one place I really do not want to be swimming.

Very glad you got in OK. We gotta keep that place open for our souls!
keep the PFD buckled!

[Lingless Pig]

Sketch!!! Happy your safe man... And ya got fish!

About the dead/half alive, maybe bloody fish, trailing behind your Yak while fishing the San Mateo Coast... YIKES! At least you weren't being followed when you fell in

[Sailfish]

Glad you made it back safely.  I would practice more on the self rescue in a controlled environment if I were you.  Welcome to the Madness and thank you for the report.

[Martianfish]

To add pictures look to the left <----- in the articles.  Bill has got a real easy one to follow, I did and it works!!!

[b dble dblr un]

Thanks, were is Bill's post on attaching photo?

[Sailfish]

Thanks, were is Bill's post on attaching photo?

Click on this link below:

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php/topic,9779.0.html

[jhfish]

Glad you made it back safely.  I would practice more on the self rescue in a controlled environment if I were you.  Welcome to the Madness and thank you for the report.

+1 on what Sonny said . . . Secure the vest, practice the self rescue some more. Spend some time reading threads on the forum about the subject, too. Take someone with you when you go out in Big Blue.

[beenfishin]

Yikes, sounds like things could've gone really bad, really quick.  Ditch those waders and get a wetsuit, keep that PFD buckled and don't fly solo until you're 100% confident.  Nice catch though, welcome to the madness!
-beenfishin

[b dble dblr un]

Thanks for the helpful pointers I have learned and have yet to learn from this site and the folks who post here.  I have to say that my expirence on Satuday (pardon the pun) was a pretty good crash course.  After putting ice on my fish I went to the Whaler for beer, Mark a local surfer said there was a sighting in davenport and warning signs were on the Beach at Davenport Landing. This picture was taken about 20 min before roling my yak. 

[HDRich]

I'm glad you're OK bdlbrun, and I echo what the guys have said about safety and gear and the buddy system.

But damn son, you DO know how to catch the fish...

Rich

[Tigerfish]

Nice CAB ! Glad you made it in safe ..

[Great Bass 2]

The ocean and bay are unforgiving and fish aren't worth dying for. You got lucky this time. I fish solo once in awhile but never on the SMC or BS. Too technical, too remote and too sharky. I would encourage you to take the surf and safety class at MBK for kayak anglers. All that said, live and learn and welcome. 

Scott

[superd270]

b dble dblr un,
Never tipped in the big blue yet but feels confident I can handle it. If u hv access to a friend's swimming pool, it will be a good place to practice self rescue. That's exactly what I did and it boosted my confidence greatly. I actually tipped my yak, rolled it upright, then got back on. Did this numerous times until i felt it 2nd instinct.
Hope this helps.
Congrats to the great catch.
Danny

[b dble dblr un]

Lets say going swimming in my case was a lack of skill which comes from experience and getting back in safe was not lucky but a combination of wits, determination and awareness.  Gods Pond was calm on Saturday and for my fourth time in a yak i feel i had the odds stacked in my favor as best i chould. My first post may have embellished the scary side of the adventure but at no time did I fear for my life,....... except for a small time........ for the Devels Teeth......and anyone who swims, boards, dives, yaks or trails fish from a yak on the central and north coast is in the same boat in that regard. Don't see myself taking a self rescue class, at this point it seems redundent. I greatly appriciatte the welcomes and let (not) the onslaught begin
1) Read and practice the saftey guidlines on the NCKA home page 2) take a self resue class or practice in safe area until you are completely capable of self rescue 3) keep your beer belly and your shoulders near the center of gravity 4) don't take your yak out in rough water 5) wear a knife to cut yourself out of a tangle 6) if you do go swimming stay calm and