What Am I Doing Wrong?

I have fished with different guys over the years and on average 2.5-3.5 miles per hour seems typical.   Keep in mind lots of the "miles" we talk about are us just drifting around fishing.  With any group, you have guys in big slow yaks, and a paddler in a scupper pro wondering why we are all taking so long.

and as surfing Marmot says, there are 2 distinct groups here.  Paddlers who fish, and fisherman who paddle.  Over time the paddlers get to be good fisherman, but the fisherman (myself included) do not seem to close the gap to paddling well as they do 

for an out and back distance, keep in mind crappy weather on the return, so definitely watch the weather, and leave reserves in your tank.

for an out and back distance, keep in mind crappy weather on the return, so definitely watch the weather, and leave reserves in your tank.

Very good advice from an old hand here. And why getting a motor is not a good idea if you cannot paddle strong (and pull that extra weight as well) when it fails and you need it. Technology fails eventually—just when you need it most. You need to be self-sufficient and capable of handling the unexpected—especially on the ocean. The North Pacific Big Blue can be a nasty vengeful water. I used to do a lot of mountaineering and a veteran extreme skier said "You need to know the mountain and it's moods, when its quiet you can go but know you are a guest and your welcome can wear out any time. But when it's blowing, you just need to say Not Today. If you don't listen, you won't do this long." I think the same applies for the North Pacific especially with our rocky coasts.

nothing new to add really...sorta...

one way to know that you are paddling with your torso (the oblique ab muscles) is the sound of your life jacket rubbing on the seat.  on those gusty/calm spring days the swish swish would surprise me a little when the wind would stop

Personally I find the "proper" paddling technique works well when I want to average between 1.8 and 2.8 mph on a calm to breezy day.  Since the barge kayak I paddle (ride 135) is not the fastest and I like exercise, I often incorporate the twist with a slow forceful push-pull stroke and can get to about 4.2 mph for about 5 miles before resting back at 3mph...

As far as trolling, I wont pull anything over 3mph, my lite rods wont handle it, and the drag becomes a real bear.  The best speeds for trolling I have found are between 1.4 and 2.5 anyway   

Seat position is also important, but, if you cant sit up straight and paddle without a seat back, you should take some time for some back/ab work, though a lazy troll sometimes requires a reclined position with hat on face, the most efficient paddling position is straight up but loose.  imagine a "Bozo the clown" bop bag in the kayak seat, with each wave the clown stays fairly upright and lets the boat react with the water as naturally as possible.  just do that while paddling forward and let the seat back be there for resting/light support.

as far as going out for salmon with your yak time-don't.  until you can make 8-10 miles in the bay on a windy day without concern for exhaustion/death/capsizing/loosing your stuff/being miserable, the safe bet is on waiting for the salmon to come in...2c

Just have fun seeing your home waters from a new angle and fishing new safeish waters until you really have some "time in the saddle".  that is really the only way to learn significantly more boat management skill, the stuff you do without thinking about it like exaggerated paddle strokes in a following breeze or rolling with the waves while fishing or fussing with tackle...

or I'm full of     either way
jim

"You need to know the mountain and it's moods, when its quiet you can go but know you are a guest and your welcome can wear out any time. But when it's blowing, you just need to say Not Today. If you don't listen, you won't do this long." I think the same applies for the North Pacific especially with our rocky coasts.

+10

Consider buying a real good paddle. It can make a HUGE  difference. I once tried Mooch's' carbon fiber angled paddle (the kind with the little s-curve where your hands go) after a surf launch/landing course and my elbow tendonitus was flaring up. On the paddle back I asked if I cold try his high end paddle. By the time we were back in the harbor, my elbow was feeling great! I went out and invested the $450 in one. It makes such a difference, especially after time otw. There's also floatation in the ends of the oars, so it helps "lift" it out of the water. Nowadays, I use a Hobie, but when ever I paddle it makes a difference. (I take crap for wasting such a nice paddle on a Hobie........ ) It helps align your arms and wrists while paddling. See if you can try one before investing. It's also has multiple choices for the feathering, so you can find the one that works for your stroke. Check em out. Mines a Werner brand.

Big thanks you guys; your help is not falling on deaf ears, just a warped mind.  I know I shouldn't get a motor because I'll kill myelf somewhere out beyond the bridge: From Vallejo, I can hear the salmon moving closer to muir beach, calling my name, always calling my name.

I'm itching so bad to get back out, to see if I change my technique and allow my torso to work and if I don't pull the paddle past the 'line of the box,' if that will help my elbows. Maybe by this weekend. I'm sick; I make no excuses; I'm gonna go again,,,soon,,, pain or no pain. This yak fishing not only opened up a whole new world of water to me, it opened up a whole new world of sickness; I see it and I'm looking foreward to sharing it with some of ya; those of ya who don't mind fishing with an obsessed dude, whose bound and determined to not come back with the smell of a skunk on 'em. God I hate that smell.

Get a Hobie and use your elbow for lifting suds.