How to forecast ocean conditions

Hello,
This topic probably are discussed before. I apologize first. But I had difficult time last Saturday at HMB. Old post pointers of this topic are also appreciated.

I went to HMB to crab on Saturday noon. Before enter water I saw no yak on the area outside of the jetty mouth. Then I went into HMB sportfishing and Tackle. I bought something then asked the guy why there are no kayaks out side crabbing. Is the ocean too choppy? He said it's not a bad day. People probably taking a break. Then I went out myself. As soon as I am outside the jetty mouth, I found myself in an angry sea. Too choppy for kayak to stay out. And small boaters are running back in. So I made an U-turn back inside the Jetty.

A question to our experienced fishermen: How to forecast ocean condition to a destination?

I use swellinfo.com. The picture below shows the condition forecast of Saturday. Swell is around 3 ft. Wind is 9mph. Is the wind the cause of choppy sea? How do you decide whether to go for a fishing trip along our Norcal coast?

Thanks a lot.

George

Hi I got the following tip on this past Saturday conditions from krusty. Hope the website helps. Swell shows 6 feet. I decided not to go out  that day.

http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lon=-122.48948&lat=37.48009

Saturday S wind around 6 kt becoming WSW in the morning. A slight chance of showers before 10am. Patchy fog before 10am. W swell 6 ft at 13 seconds. Wind waves around 1 ft.

There are a few really good threads on the subject,

Here's one of the best,

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=32677.0

Your experience wouldn't be unusual, and as your experience grows you'll be safer.

No matter what the forecast is, ya never really know till you get there, then things can change quickly,

Have fun, Be safe

As you begin acquainting yourself with the forecast sites, buoy readings and webcams, be sure to always correlate what you see happening with what was predicted, and try to figure WHY things are different than anticipated or what might've helped them materialize just as predicted.

Learn all you can from others who have dedicated years of careful observation to predictions, conditions and trends. 

Reading WX is a major part of every trip for me.  There should be nothing random about your expectations and nothing flippant about what you will paddle out in.

Good luck. 

Never know what the "real" conditions are until you are there. Often it is better than the internet says it is....sometimes not. Web cams might help. Good to turn back when its not safe!

Cheers,

-Tsuri

........and nothing flippant about what you will paddle out in.

Oh no, we wouldn't want to be flippant. 

Sorry, AK - I just couldn't leave that alone!

John 

Oh no, we wouldn't want to be flippant. 

flip·pant

/ˈflipənt/

adjective

not showing a serious or respectful attitude.

Don't be so flippant about my use of flippant, John!   

Oh no, we wouldn't want to be flippant. 

flip·pant

/ˈflipənt/

adjective

not showing a serious or respectful attitude.

Don't be so flippant about my use of flippant, John!   

If you have the word flippant on the tip of your tongue, you might be the parent of a teenager.

Oh no, we wouldn't want to be flippant. 

flip·pant

/ˈflipənt/

adjective

not showing a serious or respectful attitude.

Don't be so flippant about my use of flippant, John!   

If you have the word flippant on the tip of your tongue, you might be the parent of a teenager.

Yep, you got that right. My 14 YO son has been trotting that out with his mother recently, she is about to clip his wings!

There are a few really good threads on the subject,

Here's one of the best,

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=32677.0

Your experience wouldn't be unusual, and as your experience grows you'll be safer.

No matter what the forecast is, ya never really know till you get there, then things can change quickly,

Have fun, Be safe

Back on topic, sorry for the detour - the link above is a good one, Adam's (FisHunter) post lays down a spot-on, succinct view, check it out. I've got it on bulletin board in my office.

Thank you all! I will catch up with WX posts. See you on water.

Here's a site that I use a lot because it seems relatively reliable and has graphics that clearly depict the forecast conditions:

http://www.windfinder.com/forecast/bodega_bay_doran_regional_park

This one is for Bodega Bay and there is another one for Pillar Point:

http://www.windfinder.com/forecast/bodega_bay_doran_regional_park

The graphics for tonight and tomorrow are pretty dramatic.

Here's a site that I use a lot because it seems relatively reliable and has graphics that clearly depict the forecast conditions:

http://www.windfinder.com/forecast/bodega_bay_doran_regional_park

This one is for Bodega Bay and there is another one for Pillar Point:

http://www.windfinder.com/forecast/bodega_bay_doran_regional_park

The graphics for tonight and tomorrow are pretty dramatic.

Thank you YaknFish! Very good site. What is wind speed vs wind gust?

Here's a site that I use a lot because it seems relatively reliable and has graphics that clearly depict the forecast conditions:

http://www.windfinder.com/forecast/bodega_bay_doran_regional_park

This one is for Bodega Bay and there is another one for Pillar Point:

http://www.windfinder.com/forecast/bodega_bay_doran_regional_park

The graphics for tonight and tomorrow are pretty dramatic.

Thank you YaknFish! Very good site. What is wind speed vs wind gust?

Wind speed is typical speed for the period.  Wind gust is the maximum speed for the period.