Fishing near shallow areas and breakers

While fishing at Albion Saturday I ventured to the north a little near where water was breaking on some rocks. I didn't want to get too close and end up in the water or on the rocks. As I got closer the depth went from around 80 to 50 and then 25. It occurred to me that even though I wasn't in the surf zone, it might be possible for it to expand under the right conditions. How do you decide how close or how shallow is safe when approaching rock formations and breakers?

I watch the area for a bit if I know it s shallow. Wait for a few sets to come through and if it doesn't break, it MAY be safe. You can never be sure.

Watch them for awhile before approaching and look where water is breaking when the biggest sets come in.  Give yourself enough room that you feel comfortable, but remember you can get some sneaker waves that top even the biggest ones you are seeing. 

Sometimes you can see top water disturbances or foamy water that may help you see currents and which way they are going. 

I like to face the wave so if it picks up I can get out quick. 

I don't take as many chances as others I have seen but still occasionally get a little to close. 

Dad-

Your instincts are correct.  If the bottom  goes ffrom 80 to 50 to 25, it's time to start paying close attention.  The 25' area is also a likely place to get bit, As well as on the slope.....

Stay Dry.

Bushy

A rough rule of thumb is that waves can break in water that is three times as deep as the wave height. So if there are 6 foot breakers you want to stay in more than 18 feet of water. Also think carefully about how you position yourself relative to the wind and current. If you capsize, will you be taken into the rocks?

My rule of thumb, "If my Spidey senses are tingling, fish elsewhere!".  Of course, all the rule of thumb hold too.  For the most part, I just try to stay deeper than 20'.

-Allen

Dad-

Your instincts are correct.  If the bottom  goes ffrom 80 to 50 to 25, it's time to start paying close attention.  The 25' area is also a likely place to get bit, As well as on the slope.....

Stay Dry.

Bushy

I dove that spot last October.
Top to bottom viz...KELP...but tons of urchins

Thanks for the replies. Yes there was kelp there. I did watch things before getting close. When it got to 25ft I wondered how shallow it would need to be for a sneaker wave to cause a problem. Better safe, so I figured closer to 50ft was good. Thanks

A rough rule of thumb is that waves can break in water that is three times as deep as the wave height. So if there are 6 foot breakers you want to stay in more than 18 feet of water. Also think carefully about how you position yourself relative to the wind and current. If you capsize, will you be taken into the rocks?

No. Waves break when depth is around 1.3 x wave height. So a 6' wave would break around 7.8' depth.

A rough rule of thumb is that waves can break in water that is three times as deep as the wave height. So if there are 6 foot breakers you want to stay in more than 18 feet of water. Also think carefully about how you position yourself relative to the wind and current. If you capsize, will you be taken into the rocks?

No. Waves break when depth is around 1.3 x wave height. So a 6' wave would break around 7.8' depth.

They might not break but they can definitely expose the rocks in the trough which is still a problem.

A rough rule of thumb is that waves can break in water that is three times as deep as the wave height. So if there are 6 foot breakers you want to stay in more than 18 feet of water. Also think carefully about how you position yourself relative to the wind and current. If you capsize, will you be taken into the rocks?

No. Waves break when depth is around 1.3 x wave height. So a 6' wave would break around 7.8' depth.

They might not break but they can definitely expose the rocks in the trough which is still a problem.

Last time i went to albion i was being stupid and paddling back from a dive( im a lot more careless since im in a full wetsuite and everything it packed inside my kayak,) and landed right on top of a wash rock and took a  3' breaker right over my lap,  luckily i was facing rhe wave so it didnt capsize me but it eould have been no big deal if it did. 
On a kayak getting close to the breakers is usaly a flat day thing on a small period swell.

When in doubt get out

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My rule of thumb, "If my Spidey senses are tingling, fish elsewhere!".  Of course, all the rule of thumb hold too.  For the most part, I just try to stay deeper than 20'.

-Allen

I live by this rule... When it dont feel right, I'm out.

I was just in over my experience level. I prefer to make those decisions with at least a little bit of info. Since I didn't know, better safe than sorry.