Crash at Mavericks (HMB)

When I was just learning the sport, I got up to 11 kts on that wave on a glassy calm day!  No crash, but I will NOT be doing that again!   
Gotta go back to the green can...

Thanks guys for all the great advice and concern!  My wife just said NCKA is my Facebook.  To your questions:

- Turning over PA is not easy.  I'm going to look into the ladder
- I thought about lashing myself inside my kayak before; this would have been a really bad idea
- If you've never really been submerged in your PFD, try it.  I had no idea any other way to mount my radio would have made it under water and not useable.  It also confirms my concept that a wetsuit is good for me (if I have to swim after my kayak) and assume I'm going swimming every outing. 
- I did lash my Mirage drive, I had my 20" cabbie in the front hatch, and my unleashed rods where vertical in the milk crate.  No more putting anything on the back deck.  It weighs the kayak down and makes rear-entry not possible.  No more livewell; I'll drag a bait cage in the water next time. 
- One fishing rod from now on and minimal gear.  I've gotten carried away with this barge and not uncommon for me to have three rods, huge net, 40 lbs. of water in a 5 gallon bucket, ice in a cooler in the front hatch, and I just built a ridiculous downrigger setup using Ipe wood (very heavy), six pound downrigger ball.  Add in the photography setup and recent sail purchase and you see the Error in my handle coming out strong.  In fairness, all of this stuff has a reason and I usually fish alone on weekdays for 10+ hours on the water. 
- And no, I didn't have any of my crab gear (I take two pots and two nets) when I crab. 
- Not buying another large net.  I have a 18" to stay legal but I'm going to learn to gaff from now on. 

And...I never launched from the surf...and not going to try this alone.  I may meet up with Fish67, Guillamhunter, or treck up to the cove and get a lesson from LolitaEric.   I've learned alot and most of it was from watching the Youtube videos of the Bay Area Fishing Royalty (LolitaEric, Moo Moo Outdoors, Fisherman's Life, DieHard Fishing) and of course, daily reading on this site.   

Never fished before, took it up on a whim and now I have a second job! 

Sorry to hear that but super glad that you are ok. I fish HMB pretty frequently but never cut that corner. And yes, minimal gear is the WTG. I only carry as many rods & reels as I intended to fish with them all at once. For 90% of time that is 1 set only. And I don't bring a tackle store on the yak. For rockfish, it is usually 5-6 setups and some leader line. If I lose more than that on a day, it is better just go home. It is also a lot easier to manage with limited space. Takes less time to get ready/clean up, more for fishing time. See you out there!

I've learned alot and most of it was from watching the Youtube videos of the Bay Area Fishing Royalty ( Fisherman's Life, DieHard Fishing).   

Never fished before, took it up on a whim and now I have a second job!

Really?

I've learned alot and most of it was from watching the Youtube videos of the Bay Area Fishing Royalty ( Fisherman's Life, DieHard Fishing).   

Never fished before, took it up on a whim and now I have a second job!

Really?

One of those things actually explains a lot.  Guy should come with a warning label.

TrialandError wrote:

<snipped> My wife just said NCKA is my Facebook

Let's just get something clear right now - YOU should be offended by that statement. 
NCKA is nothing like that infernal POS.

I've learned alot and most of it was from watching the Youtube videos of the Bay Area Fishing Royalty ( Fisherman's Life, DieHard Fishing).   

Never fished before, took it up on a whim and now I have a second job!

Really?

One of those things actually explains a lot.  Guy should come with a warning label.

You guys are dicks!  Actually, you guys just did my job for me!   

Glad you picked up fishing man.  I stopped fishing when I was 18, and didn't really pick it back up again till last year. (33). and I feel you man, I feel like It's my second job.

A few pics from my crash.  Nice Cabby, after I stacked, new teardrop scar on my face...

Holy!! Glad you are ok man!

Here's a similar situation.

Here's a similar situation.

wow..I'm speechless  I'm glad you are okay. Thanks for sharing your experience..
From now on I will wear my wet suit regardless how hot the weather is along with my PFD.

Pretty scary and sobering story, as things could’ve gotten worse. Glad you were able to share your experience and lessons learned. I went out of HMB for the first time last week and there were several sneaker waves that could’ve flipped me if I didn’t paddle quickly to get over them. I’m preparing myself mentally, but need to practice self rescue techniques, and make a DIY ladder.

Happy your ok.  Rolled my kayak a week ago in similar weather situation trying to boat a hali.  Lost a rod , my boots, and burned my phone.  Self rescued like you.  My incident wasn’t quite a windy as yours.  Glad your ok.