Ugh, flipped and downrigger ball was a mess

Sooooo... itching to get out on Labor Day, I launched out of Rockaway. Waves weren't flat but probably 2 feet even on the south side where it's normally flat. Couple waves hit in quick succession, where I took on enough water to lose my balance and causing me to flip.

I was only in waist deep water, so easy enough to flip things over. Everything was tied down with the exception of my downrigger ball which I kept on deck. I decide to get back to the beach to get everything back on board and drain if needed.

I then discover my downrigger ball is in the surf all tangled up in the seaweed, and there was tons of it that day. After retrieving the ball, I spent a good 45 minutes trying to retrieve the line, which was near impossible since it was deeply entangled in the seaweed, so I ended up cutting the braided line (not steel cable, thank goodness).

Turns out to be a major inconvenience, but also something to think about for safety, what if you were tangled up in the line!!! that certainly would be scary. Anyway, from now on stowing that ball away!

ugh, sorry to hear about that - I typically have mine clipped in, but not secured on the deck, I'll look for a way to secure the ball.

did you get to go out and fish at all?

damn sucks...think we've been there one way or another. I have my DR and ball stoled in my front hatch for launch/landing. And a knife on your PFD...always. This post is a good reminder

I store my downrigger ball in the rectangular hatch of my Outback.
All other loose gears are stored in my Reliable fish bag during the surf launch and landing.

Paul

Yup always a knife on the pfd but damn scary to think about a heavy braid + seaweed + surf combo. Glad you’re ok.

ugh, sorry to hear about that - I typically have mine clipped in, but not secured on the deck, I'll look for a way to secure the ball.

did you get to go out and fish at all?

yeah, that wasn't going to stop me

Yup always a knife on the pfd but damn scary to think about a heavy braid + seaweed + surf combo. Glad you’re ok.

yeah, the seaweed is definitely something to consider. Of course, don't always know how bad it is, in this case it was visible in the surf

Yeah, first thing I did with my DR was replace the wire with braid.  I snagged bottom on one of my first trips that flipped me a mile off shore. I slit the line first thing before trying to right my rig.

Glad you’re ok!
I was told once to stow my balls .. 
always took it seriously.
In a dry bag.
I also never leave my DR line unlocked. If you capsize in the deep the ball can pull line and that’s entanglement danger.
In fact, in the surf I also stow the DR itself because I like the gunnel free of obstacles when getting in/out of the kayak.

Glad you’re ok!
I was told once to stow my balls .. 
always took it seriously.
In a dry bag.
I also never leave my DR line unlocked. If you capsize in the deep the ball can pull line and that’s entanglement danger.
In fact, in the surf I also stow the DR itself because I like the gunnel free of obstacles when getting in/out of the kayak.

yeah, stowing in a drybag in the hatch is likely what I'll do. Def like a clean gunnel too!

In fact, in the surf I also stow the DR itself because I like the gunnel free of obstacles when getting in/out of the kayak.

Also, this is good in case your kayak gets tossed, you wont have a 6-8 pound ball flying through the air waiting to bludgeon you. 

In fact, in the surf I also stow the DR itself because I like the gunnel free of obstacles when getting in/out of the kayak.

Also, this is good in case your kayak gets tossed, you wont have a 6-8 pound ball flying through the air waiting to bludgeon you.

Or a surfer or some poor kid or dog playing in the surf