NorCal Kayak Anglers
Kayak Zone => Kayaks => Topic started by: Azkikr on October 23, 2017, 08:06:13 PM
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Hi, winds and tides are terrible lately. What are the worst sea state fishing you guys been to? And swell interval? What sea state you guys advice for a NO-GO kayak fishing?
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For me it depends on current + wind + swell height + swell period + the direction of current/wind/swells + height of break at the launch + whether it's the fourth Tuesday of the month...
I think a lot of us (most of us) look at the water and decide if we want to be out there.
If I'm reading forecasts to decide if I even want to take a look, I'm looking for a swell period from 3 to 5 times the height of the swell (longer periods for bigger swells). I want the secondary and/or wind swell to be as small as conditions allow, and no more than 1/3 the height of the primary - and to be coming from a narrow arc along the same direction of the primary swell so all the swells flatten out. I prefer the wind to not blow whitecaps and in general to be blowing less than 12 knots - and I don't want to fight through the wind coming or going. If there's a strong current, I prefer it to not be opposing or perpendicular to the wind or swells.
And all of that will be particular to a location, experience level, and how easily you get seasick.
The worst conditions I've been caught out in had a 7+ foot primary at ~12 seconds from the NNW, ~3 foot secondary swells at ~12 seconds from the WNW, ~3 foot wind swell from the WSW, an ~16 knot wind from the WSW, with the launch 3 miles to the NE. But at least it didn't rain.
I thought that was pretty sporty and I wouldn't choose to do it again, but it wasn't in the forecast and there weren't any signs of changing conditions when we launched.
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All good formulas but each launch can have different hazards based on all the conditions listed above. Start fishing a protective cove and wander out of the protection and see if it is worth being out there. Match that with the reported conditions and you will start to figure out what is comfortable to you.
Everyone has different comfort levels.
Without wind I will typically go look at the water as long as waves are not over 8Â’. DoesnÂ’t mean I will go out but I will consider it.
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Reposting my standard response to this question:
That's a call that is personal and comes with experience and depends upon location. For a thumbnail, where seas = swell + wind chop, ballpark I use:
If seas in feet <= (.5)*swell period in seconds; AND
Swell in feet + wind in knots <= 15, then
Launch
Else, stay on land and enjoy a beverage of your choice.
That's super rough, is nowhere near gospel, and will vary considerably amongst kayaker of different skill levels, location, swell and wind direction, tides, local bathymetry, etc etc.
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will vary considerably amongst kayaker of different skill levels, location, swell and wind direction, tides, local bathymetry, etc etc.
This.
If you are unsure go with someone that is more experienced than you.
Make sure you can self rescue without assistance and be cool with bailing and staying ashore if you are uncomfortable with the conditions.
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whether it's the fourth Tuesday of the month...
Please explain :smt001
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It means I'm a smartass.
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It means I'm a smartass.
I took it to mean that you play Fizzbin.
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It means I'm a smartass.
I took it to mean that you play Fizzbin.
Of course I do, but admitting to it might have required even more of an explanation.
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It means I'm a smartass.
A smartass ?, here ?, on this site ?
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It means I'm a smartass.
A smartass ?, here ?, on this site ?
He owes me smoked Mac n cheese in exchange for saving him fro the NCKA lynch mob.
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It means I'm a smartass.
A smartass ?, here ?, on this site ?
Yes, sadly, it's true. An Oregon smartass (Buttocks intelligensa oregonis) managed to infiltrate the site despite NWKA's outstanding programs to control invasive species.
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Don’t know about the worsts sea State as I have only fished the State of Oregon, was hoping to fish the sea in the State of California but with my luck I’ll be the one to meet the landlord. :smt006 smart assess up this way too :smt008
My rule of thump on swell is nothing over 5ft and timing must be less then half of the hight so 5ft every 10 seconds maximum if that makes sense.... most of what comes out of my brain don’t make sense to others but me and I understand it, we argue from time to time but but understand :smt044
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Ohhh snap I didn’t see who posted that first smart ass comment. :smt044 :smt044 :smt044
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Jefferson for the mother fucking win.
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Jefferson for the mother fucking win.
Quite right. Buttocks intelligensa jeffersonia.
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Jefferson for the mother fucking win.
Quite right. Buttocks intelligensa jeffersonia.
There is a reason that both ends of gold beach have Jefferson flags flying high and proud.
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Jefferson for the mother fucking win.
You sir are having delusions of grandeur ....WTFTM :smt008
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Thanks for all the info
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7-9 feet of violent close sequenced breaking waves approaching Moss Landing harbor in 15-18 knots of wind. One of those, "I see the harbor .... now I don't .... now I see it again ... now I dont ... oh shit, hopefully those speed boats coming in will see me ..."
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The best formula to date is watch the water for 20 minutes before venturing out and determine if your skill level can handle it.
Is it calm inside but sheepish outside? Where is the marine layer? How much did either move in or out in those 20 minutes? Is the tide going in or out? How much of a difference did it make to the waves in those 20 minutes? Are you prepared to deal with a yard sale either going out or coming in? If you get in over your head how many others will you be putting at risk trying to help you? Can you hear the buoy going off if one is near you? How long is the noise? See anyone else out there?
Do you have a plan B exit if things really go bad?
It's 100% dependent on your level of skill.
I've been out in horrible conditions and had a blast and I've been out in horrible conditions and was absolutely miserable.
The older I get the more I like calm days with an easy protected launch.
Don't like the wind. Don't mind the rain. Hate a super fast drift.
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7-9 feet of violent close sequenced breaking waves approaching Moss Landing harbor in 15-18 knots of wind. One of those, "I see the harbor .... now I don't .... now I see it again ... now I dont ... oh shit, hopefully those speed boats coming in will see me ..."
Add a 6 mph current flowing out to sea and then you'd really have something special...
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We've had a spell of small, long-period swells here for a week. Something like a 2 foot swell at 19 seconds. The sea looks flat but the 4 foot surf is pretty impressive for a sheltered cove that rarely gets surf taller than 18 inches.
I wouldn't have paid attention to what happens near the beach when there's a really long swell period if someone hadn't mentioned it here. Learn something new every day.