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Messages - SandMan

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Pay It Forward / Re: MBK Paddle for Aaron! Please read end of page 3

« on: August 26, 2011, 08:16:24 PM »

I'll see you folks there...I'm bringing pasta salad.

Radio check once I get there or I'll follow the dorsal fins to Nathan.

Hookups and Fishing Reports (Viewable by Public) / Re: another NCKA'er get's hit by a white shark at Bean Hollow.....

« on: August 16, 2010, 07:57:14 AM »

Yo Adam, glad you're OK and still flashing that famous Fishunter smile!

I find it fitting that the most prolific C&R fisherman of the Bean gets C&R'd by the landlord. Just think if you didn't have that C&R karma, it might be a different story.

This is another incident one for the shark folks to figure out. You weren't in a red yak, there were no turbo fins to mimic a tasty shark snack and it didn't hit you hard enough to launch you even though it was a vertical attack.

I hope it doesn't stop you from hitting the bean again, if you need company PM me and I'll be your wingman.

Gary

Safety First / Re: My Good Deed for the Day

« on: August 02, 2010, 09:38:43 PM »

Jim,

No wonder you catch so many fish...you got karma up the whazzuu.

You did good...proud of you Bro.

Gary

General Talk / Re: Alcatraz - No wonder no one escaped

« on: August 02, 2010, 09:28:11 PM »

Before I get too much karma credit you should know that all the yak pilots got some cash and it was enough for gas and lunch.

Pictures were taken by someone on the jump boat and they can be seen at: www.facebook.com/swimart There's even a youtube video of the swimmers jumping in and the yaks gathering up their groups for the escort to Aquatic Park. If you're interested in doing the swim there's a bunch of vidoes on open water swimming technique on youtube as well.

It took us yaks about 20 minutes to paddle out to the launch spot and it was hard to stay in one spot due to the wind and current. The veterans hid behind the leeward side of the Rock until the jump boat got out there. By Federal law we were to stay 200 yards away from the shore. If I do this again I'm going to bring a camera and take some photos of the Rock, it's definately an interesting place. If the developers have their way it may turn into yet another casino.

They only do this once a month since the tides have to be just right and it does tie up boat passage. When the last swimmer cleared the channel a bunch of boats came buzzing through...rush hour traffic. Next time they do another swim I hope you folks can respond to piciform (Aaron) offer to sign up. The organizers are really nice people, the other yakkers were fun to hang with, the swimmers can't thank us enough AND you're in SF with the rest of the day to goof off.

We live in a special place and have special skills...take advantage of it.

Peace,

Gary

General Talk / Alcatraz - No wonder no one escaped

« on: August 02, 2010, 01:50:21 PM »

This past weekend was spent on the water between Alcatraz and Aquatic Park in SF. Piciform (Aaron) recruited Mike (Mikev) and I to help out shepherding swimmers as they made their way through the crossing. Good to meet Mike and his wife...his ride is a slick Necky Dolphin SOT yak.

On Saturday I guided swimmers that jumped off of a boat next to Alcatraz and swam to Aquatic Park. On Sunday I escorted swimmers participating in a race from Aquatic Park, to Alcatraz and back to Aquatic Park…2.5 hours in the wind, chop and current. I’ve run 2 marathons before and they don’t compare to the energy and will power exerted by those swimmers. NCKA's own, Yakuza is an open water swimmer...you have my utmost respect.

There were no issues and we didn't need to rescue anyone. A swimmer had cramps on Saturday and was taken aboard the PB and a swimmer had to be repositioned on Sunday because he had swam off the course. However, a SIK got rolled on Sunday and we all had to deal with 3 foot wind waves and white caps in the middle of the channel, so it was not FAC by any means. If I was swimming that course I wouldn't do it without a kayak escort, that's for sure.

I had to laugh because over the radio it turns out that we were holding up a tanker from entering the bay. Go suck an egg Chevroids...it's our water right now. It helps that Harbor Patrol was protecting our flanks.

Attached is a picture of a swimmer jumping into the water at Alcatraz for the swim to SF on Saturday. I’m the yak escort flying the US flag and safety flag off of my stern.

General Talk / Re: UPDATE: TOMORROW Kayak Escorts Needed - Alcatraz Swim

« on: July 31, 2010, 05:52:57 PM »

Not going to Albion and never having paddled to Alcatraz I took pisciform (Aaron) up on his offer to pilot swimmers from Alcatraz to Aquatic Park. It was pretty fun and cool to help out. It also helped that the weather was cooperative although not perfect.

The swimmers were awesome and kudos to them for making the long swim and being able to deal with the current, wind and chop. The other yak pilots were a friendly bunch and gave me lots of good advice. By following their lead the event was tight and well controlled. Tomorrow I'm helping out with a swim from Aquatic Park to Alcatraz and back to Aquatic Park.

Here's the funny part...I mentioned at work that I was going to escort swimmers in my yak for an open water swim this weekend. By the time it got through the lunch room, rumor had it that I'm a paid escort...lol

Oooo that makes Aaron a p...

Hope those guys are having a good time at Albion! I'll be doing my escort thang...

Gearing Up and Rigging Up / Re: Kayak paddle

« on: July 08, 2010, 09:56:28 AM »

I bought a Lendal paddle (from Mooch) for my brother's Xmas present a couple of years ago and he loves it. It's funny that I wouldn't spend that amount of money on myself but the thought of me cracking an expensive paddle on rocks or during launch / landing carnage kept me from making the purchase.

THEN I got a brainstorm when I was looking up an article about my friend on BASK (Bay Area Sea Kayakers). They have a Classified section on their website and a used Kaliste was listed for half the MSRP. Now I have a choice of bringing my expendable heavy paddle for short paddles in rocky areas or a featherlight paddle for long distances and beach launches. Does the light paddle make a difference...yes it does! Is the bent shaft worth it...probably in the long run, it hasn't been a problem.

Gary

Gearing Up and Rigging Up / Re: Alan Tani "Do It Yourself"Reel Repair Seminar 6/26@Western Sports in SanRafae

« on: June 28, 2010, 10:07:09 PM »

I brought a couple of my abused Ebay reels to tune up and thanks to Alan they're now silky smooth with new carbon drag discs, cleaned guts and freshly greased bearings. Of course it's always a good time hanging with the NCKA bro's, Adam (FisHunter), Ben (Guitarzan) and ChuckE.

Many thanks to Western Sports for hosting this event and Alan for his tools, invaluable expertise and parts.

Safety First / Re: Aloha Alaska!!!

« on: May 29, 2010, 11:50:00 PM »

Whoa...where did this come from? We recently saw you at Paradise and thought you just had a cold. Even though you were a little under the weather you were the same ole wise cracking, smack talking...about-to-head-to-Alaska Mooch.

I've worked for different companies that manufacture oncology drugs and to put a face to the work we do many of the patients are invited to speak to the employees. With your "tude" I'm expecting you to be one of the cancer survivors that will be talking to us. Hang in there and we'll be rooting you.

Gary "Sandman"

Gearing Up and Rigging Up / Re: Casting Nets for Bait

« on: April 12, 2010, 09:01:12 PM »

Scott,

Here's the Bass Pro link:

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_1351_151006010_151000000_151006000_151-6-10

I use the 5 foot radius, 1/4 inch mesh nylon net...$49. The most common size mesh is actually 3/8 inch and the advantage is that it allows the smaller (reject) minnows to escape. I think the larger mesh allows the net to sink faster and probably traps more minnows as well. However, I've caught enough smelt to know that the net works well for me. Anyone else have comments / theories?

Eugene (Paddlefish) taught me how to throw the net but I found another method on you tube that works better. However, you have to fold it a certain way and hold it a certain way otherwise it doesn't work. Either way you have to practice and Eugene's method was much simpler.

When you get your net we'll have an East Bay "throw down" with Duane...LOL.

Gary

For Sale / Re: WANTED: hatch cover for T160 (non-DH) & PP fishin report

« on: April 11, 2010, 12:00:12 PM »

John,

I just noticed this as well...attached is a picture of the strap I made to secure the hatch on and off the water. My hatch got ripped off during a beach entry when I foolishly bungied my net to the front hatch and a wave decided to open my hatch for me.

Since you're my neighbor why don't you send me a PM and we'll make arrangements so you can see this in person and all the other mods I made.

Gary

Hookups and Fishing Reports (Viewable by Public) / Re: ARW - 4/10/2010 - Surfs Up!!!

« on: April 11, 2010, 08:12:25 AM »

Good to get out and take in the fresh air...just not so much of it at the same time LOL. Approaching the ramp you could see the wind waves and when we got out of the truck you could see that water was spraying over the breakwater. Easy decision to abort, no sense fighting the wind and getting blown into the rocks.

Making bait the night before wasn't too bad and I had my fears because last year we had our difficulties. When we decided to abort a lucky shore fisherman gladly accepted my lively bait...at least the bait is going to be put to good use.

Fred, thanks for the suggestion to go to Jim's, a coworker who lives on Bay Farm Island has mentioned that their breakfast was awesome. We were looking for some place close and had parking lot. I thought there was a Denny's on Webster but I think it's an Asian restaurant now. We went by L&L Hawaiian BBQ but it was closed. Too bad...Loco Moco for breakfast would have been good.

Marv (Shicken) saved the day and googled up a Denny's on Hegenburger on his smart phone. Sitting around in a warm restaurant having breakfast and talking with the NCKA guys was great. We didn't need another "It happened to me" story.

We'll get them next time although the long range forecast for next weekend is looking bad again. Duane and Sharky found the "window" and it looks like that window is opening up again this Wed. I'm feeling the need because we recently ate up our last vacuumed packed halibut fillet from last year.