NorCal Kayak Anglers

Kayak Zone => Kayaks => Topic started by: Cchonggoo on September 17, 2017, 07:53:16 PM

Title: Best ways to overcome my fears...
Post by: Cchonggoo on September 17, 2017, 07:53:16 PM
I m New to the sport n I m still nervous especially since I only went out to the bay and capsized...Lol.  What kinds of things can I work on to ensure my safety.  Thank you all in advance and some for such beginner questions.
Title: Re: Best ways to overcome my fears...
Post by: crash on September 17, 2017, 08:03:36 PM
Read the stickie threads in the safety forum.  The information in them can keep you upright and not dead.

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?board=47.0
Title: Re: Best ways to overcome my fears...
Post by: Eddie on September 17, 2017, 09:29:50 PM
I have a healthy form of fears every time I go out that hopefully keeps me safe. Be well and try to have a friend around if you can.  :smt006
Title: Re: Best ways to overcome my fears...
Post by: HamachiJohn on September 17, 2017, 09:56:18 PM
For me personally, the bay is more risky than the ocean, considering the current, winds, etc.  I think others in your previous post already shared their 2 cents on safety.  Take your yak out to a local lake/reservoir and practice self-rescue.  Then join us at Ocean Cove saturday for SimplyFishing tourney! 
Title: Re: Best ways to overcome my fears...
Post by: E Kayaker on September 17, 2017, 10:31:11 PM
The more time you spend on the water the better it will be. Get out on a lake on calm days. Before you know it you won't even think twice.
Title: Re: Best ways to overcome my fears...
Post by: Tinker on September 18, 2017, 03:25:03 AM
The same way you get to Carnegie Hall: practice, practice, practice.  I often think too many people - certainly no one in NCKA  :smt045  - are in too much of a rush to get into saltwater.  It helps to hang in freshwater a while until you really understand your kayak, especially learning what makes it tip over, and are feeling comfortable in it.

Read the thread crash suggested, it's a great start.  In addition to knowing how to get back on when it tips, I'd recommend you should be able to comfortably sit side-saddle on your kayak, because side-saddle allow us to reach into the rear tank well without reaching over our shoulder (which is almost guaranteed to put you in the water).

And never go alone!  That's common sense, and common sense is the #1 survival tool to bring with you.

(At some point in time, everyone was a newbie with newbie questions.  Don't hold back, ask whatever you want.)
Title: Re: Best ways to overcome my fears...
Post by: poulton on September 18, 2017, 06:55:46 AM
You don't say what kayak you were paddling when you capsized?
Sit in, or sit on top???????
Is the kayak the proper size for you??
Title: Re: Best ways to overcome my fears...
Post by: Cchonggoo on September 24, 2017, 08:18:53 AM
Thank you guys and sorry for my late reply.  I think I capsized because i got a snag while bouncing the bottom.  My drag was tight(forgot) and used too heavy of line in my weight so it didn't break off.  I have a hobi e outback bank Parker ed.  Just a little freaked out since it just happened so fast.  Thanks again everyone!!
Title: Re: Best ways to overcome my fears...
Post by: Malibu_Two on September 24, 2017, 08:22:18 AM
Don't skimp out on safety devices. When I first started kayak fishing (almost 20 years ago), we would go out without a radio, without a pump, without paddle leashes, without in-hull floatation, etc. All pretty dumb, in hindsight.
Title: Re: Best ways to overcome my fears...
Post by: Tinker on September 24, 2017, 06:01:51 PM
Just a little freaked out since it just happened so fast.  Thanks again everyone!!

It always happens fast and that's what's so startling about it.  One minute you're having a great day and in a nanosecond you're in the water.  You might try going somewhere safe then fall out and get back in over-and-over until you figure you've mastered it - not the falling out part, just the shock of taking a surprise swim (it's what I did before I even thought about putting a kayak in the ocean).
Title: Re: Best ways to overcome my fears...
Post by: Spring45 on September 24, 2017, 07:21:04 PM
Sounds like you fish the salt. Try Half Moon Bay. Paddle around in the harbor (plenty of room), practice self rescue there.
Find some people in your area and fish in a group, tag-along. I've learned alot from meeting people from here.
Also, there are guides on here. Go with one of them. You'll have to fork out a couple bucks but I'm sure it's worth it.
Title: Re: Best ways to overcome my fears...
Post by: KPD on September 24, 2017, 08:14:00 PM
Flipping is no big deal as long as you are prepared for it: dressed for immersion, ready to swim, and ready to self rescue.

This is a big advantage that our sit on top kayaks have over a lot of other boats. If your aluminum skiff flips you could be in a world of trouble.
Title: Re: Best ways to overcome my fears...
Post by: yakyakyak on September 24, 2017, 09:46:39 PM
Thank you guys and sorry for my late reply.  I think I capsized because i got a snag while bouncing the bottom.  My drag was tight(forgot) and used too heavy of line in my weight so it didn't break off.  I have a hobi e outback bank Parker ed.  Just a little freaked out since it just happened so fast.  Thanks again everyone!!

I recommend to not use any heavy line when kayak fishing. 20-30 lb lines are more than enough for most yakers.  Hali, shark, and sturgeon are outside those line range of course.  The idea is if it's too big, don't bother (I know some people would think I am crazy, but safety is always first and foremost).  I've caught 42 lbs fish on a 20 lb line. 

Also, +1 to what KPD said.



Title: Re: Best ways to overcome my fears...
Post by: Cchonggoo on September 25, 2017, 09:40:24 AM
Thank you everyone.   Looks like I have to get my wetsuit out and practice.   Thanks again!!
Title: Re: Best ways to overcome my fears...
Post by: SmokeOnTheWater on September 25, 2017, 05:14:58 PM
Snag + heavy line + high drag is guaranteed disaster.  You can fish heavy line, but just make sure you have your drag set so that if you do snag, it won't capsize you.

I had a close call in my earlier years when I had a rod in the rod holder set with heavy drag and a bat ray bit , in a matter of a second, my yak was ready to roll over until I quickly hit the lever drag on the reel.  That created one hell of a birdsnest on the reel though.   :smt044

Snags will happen often, so as long as you remember to set your drag properly before you fish, you should be fine.  If you have a tendency to forget, then use lighter line.

Title: Re: Best ways to overcome my fears...
Post by: MotherLoad on September 25, 2017, 05:37:34 PM
I would second some of the things other members posted here. My personal advice as a still novice ocean angler would be to take it slow. I set a goal to get my kayak in the ocean about 3 years ago and have 12 trips under my belt now.

Fear is a survival instinct, don't ignore it. I still feel too uncertain to do any solo trips in the Ocean, try beach launching, or fish in areas with tricky terrain or tides.  Over those three years, I have fished with a few kayak guides as well. I enjoyed a day in Santa Cruz with Allen (Bushy) and let him know before the trip all I wanted was to learn safety and get comfortable in the ocean, any fish were a bonus. Highly recommend doing that too
Title: Re: Best ways to overcome my fears...
Post by: krusty on September 25, 2017, 05:54:50 PM
I would take a kayaking and surf zone class before doing anything else. You will learn how to read the swells and navigate them, about the different braces you can do to keep yourself from falling over, and how to self rescue. You will fall over countless times in class, and have ample practice bracing and self rescuing. By the end of the class, you will be much more confident in a kayak.

Only then should you even mess with a fishing rod on a kayak.
Title: Re: Best ways to overcome my fears...
Post by: Cchonggoo on September 27, 2017, 07:27:17 PM
Where can I find a surf zone class?  Thanks in advance.
Title: Re: Best ways to overcome my fears...
Post by: yakyakyak on September 27, 2017, 07:38:25 PM

Try this:

http://www.hmbkayak.com/classes/surf-zone-and-wave-dynamics/

Title: Re: Best ways to overcome my fears...
Post by: eelkram on September 28, 2017, 02:28:52 PM
Where can I find a surf zone class?  Thanks in advance.

CCK has some great classes as well.  The nice part about these classes is that you'll use your kayak or one of their borrowed sit-on-top kayaks. 

https://calkayak.com/kayak-fishing/kayak-fishing-classes.html
Title: Re: Best ways to overcome my fears...
Post by: Mojo Jojo on September 29, 2017, 10:15:52 AM
Where can I find a surf zone class?  Thanks in advance.
Buy a skateboard helmet grab some yak fishing buddies, strip your deck and hit the surfing spots. It’s a blast and great way to learn how your boat handles in the surf. Best part is your planning on dumping so it’s no stress.