Wind Warning

Side note:

At the first GS gathering in early March of 2007 half a dozen of us paddled into a stiff north wind, trolling for salmon for over an hour while not covering more than a mile or so into the wind - we figured to turn with the wind and head back with it at our backs.  Then the wind shifted - it came from the south for the next hour as we worked to get back to where we started.

As somewhat of a noob at the time, this experience really stuck in my mind. I remember it as clearly as yesterday. And realize how unprepared I was at the time. It was kinda scary, but also exciting. I was also still paddling the first kayak I ever owned (a crappy old Drifter). 7 years later, I have confidence in my abilities to handle conditions like that. And I totally would keep trolling, instead of reeling in my gear and struggling to return to the beach LOL...

Or relying on other people's knowledge who have already experienced the questions you are asking .

I've been reading this ongoing thread with peripheral interest and remembered a post I made on the CCKF on Oct. 3, 2013.

It is here; http://centralcoastkayakfishing.com/cckf/index.php?topic=2300.msg17450#msg17450

Reply #11

...if you care to read it? Oh, and since this 2013 post was made, I have obtained a floating VHF radio.

I Zod Out

I purchased a cool little electronic deal from somewhere (don't recall - home depot or west marine?) called a "Kestrel", made by Nielsen Kellerman...

a little water-proof gadget that displays wind speed (has a little fan on it that the wind turns), temp, barometer, time, in real time, etc. Very small & light - after being blown around a few times/facing high wind to get back to HMB, figured it might come in handy - comes with a small case & lanyard. Keeps me from guessing or assuming while on the water... mine is the 2500 - and I didn't pay any where near what it lists for on the web page.

http://www.nkhome.com/kestrel/

- Aaron

The deal with the wind is that it is generally either about to increase or decrease over any given period of time.  Pick a wind sight like WindAlert.com and take a look at your favorite spot on the forecast table. You will almost always see a sort of curve, starting out at none to low winds, increasing to it's peak, then decreasing again over time.  In most places that I fish it is generally calm in the morning, which is why I strive to get out and on the water as early as possible to increase the time I have on the water before the wind comes up.  Launching later in the day is totally doable, but you need to read the conditions before going out and know your limits.