Santa Cruz 4.11

Damn!!! That's a better day than I have EVER had in SC rockfishing    WSB and Halibut on the other hand....    Thanks for sharing!

If I got slammed by a shark and knocked airborn from my kayak (something that DOES happen from time to time here in Northern CA)... I'd want to be dressed for long term immersion, I'd want to be wearing my PFD, and I'd want a VFH radio attached to myself.

I know this is getting lectury... Hell, I got the very same lecture when I posted a picture of myself fishing off Muir in a pair of waders...  I have learned a lot since then, and I feel much safer and more comfortable. I'm actually GLAD that I got lectured. It put things back in perspective for me.

I have read MANY stories of kayaker fatalities. There are way too many of them, and the number just grows every year. With VERY few exceptions, the kayakers either didn't have PFDs, weren't dressed for immersion, or both...

Experience, planning, smarts, buddies nearby, and general manliness don't amount to sh*t if you're suffering from cold water shock.

If I got slammed by a shark and knocked airborn from my kayak (something that DOES happen from time to time here in Northern CA)... I'd want to be dressed for long term immersion, I'd want to be wearing my PFD, and I'd want a VFH radio attached to myself.

I know this is getting lectury... Hell, I got the very same lecture when I posted a picture of myself fishing off Muir in a pair of waders...  I have learned a lot since then, and I feel much safer and more comfortable. I'm actually GLAD that I got lectured. It put things back in perspective for me.

I have read MANY stories of kayaker fatalities. There are way too many of them, and the number just grows every year. With VERY few exceptions, the kayakers either didn't have PFDs, weren't dressed for immersion, or both...

Experience, planning, smarts, buddies nearby, and general manliness don't amount to sh*t if you're suffering from cold water shock.

Thanks for all the advice guys.. I just purchased the NRS Chinook PFD. What would you guys recommend wearing for long term immersion?

If I got slammed by a shark and knocked airborn from my kayak (something that DOES happen from time to time here in Northern CA)... I'd want to be dressed for long term immersion, I'd want to be wearing my PFD, and I'd want a VFH radio attached to myself.

I know this is getting lectury... Hell, I got the very same lecture when I posted a picture of myself fishing off Muir in a pair of waders...  I have learned a lot since then, and I feel much safer and more comfortable. I'm actually GLAD that I got lectured. It put things back in perspective for me.

I have read MANY stories of kayaker fatalities. There are way too many of them, and the number just grows every year. With VERY few exceptions, the kayakers either didn't have PFDs, weren't dressed for immersion, or both...

Experience, planning, smarts, buddies nearby, and general manliness don't amount to sh*t if you're suffering from cold water shock.

Thanks for all the advice guys.. I just purchased the NRS Chinook PFD. What would you guys recommend wearing for long term immersion?

Wetsuit/farmer john or a paddling drysuit

Thanks for the report.. Vid looks awesome.  At least I know there is still fish in SC.

My index fingere is tired from all the scrolling past all the lectures.  ..lol

Im new. I got dunked in surf launch and saved for FJ 3mm.  The FJ kept me warmer after getting back on the boat with wind chill.

I also feel the cold water dangling my feet in the water with waders. With the FJ and booties it was comfortable.

Just my perspective; no lecture. I agree with people can wear whatever they want.

When I started motorcycling. I just got a leather jacket, no gloves, boots or proper gear.

Now I wear full race gear, and even that did not save me from snapping my collar in 3 pieces last year.  Or ripped leather exposing my knee to assphalt at 100mph on the racetrack. Or head on with a deer that sent me flying. However if I did not have proper gear my medical bills would be 10x more.  I don't tell new riders to look into gear unless we happen to talk a bit and I subtlety slip it in. If they are concerned they will ask more about it.

I'm sure he is aware of why we all wear race suits and ask himself.

Same goes for kayaking I asked myself why the more experienced have all this gear and I don't.

Then I clicked on the safety thread on top of the forum.

Ocean Kayaking is not the safest thing to do. Im sure one time or another I would be very thankful I got the gear I got.

If I see someone doing something risky, I'm going to speak up. Period. End of story. Call it a lecture, call me a worrier, call me whatever you want. I'm still going to speak up.

I can only HOPE that if any of you saw me doing something risky or unsafe you would do the same.

The attitude of "if they were concerned, they would ask" just doesn't do anyone any good... If they were concerned, they wouldn't have done it in the first place. It's the ones who don't know they should be concerned that get into trouble.

I used to be that guy who wasn't concerned, and now I look back and feel very lucky that some members of this board took the time to set me straight.

Rant over...

Thanks for the report and video, by the way. Good stuff!

I hear ya Alex.  As mentioned I am not against safety gear. But as an adult people should have their own decision to want to use it or not.

If they were kayaking or riding with me, then yes I would say something.  There are many people who kayak without a vest or radio. HMB, Monterey, SC.  It goes for boaters that are boozing etc..  Personally I'm not going to police everyone.   

I'm not policing either, just trying to help. Of course everyone can do whatever they want.

The pressure the water creates on the waders does keep a lot of the water out . And they weren't that hard to Move around in. But none the less it was a scary situation . I wear a PFD now... For the most part

        Whats up fam, heres a quick report from this Saturday. Fishing was great, caught 7 Lings. Combination of live and dead bait did the trick. Looking forward to meeting you guys on the water.



Here's the second biggest of the day.

Awesome video! Looks like you killed it. Great song choices too. Hope to see you out someday.
-Aviv

        Whats up fam, heres a quick report from this Saturday. Fishing was great, caught 7 Lings. Combination of live and dead bait did the trick. Looking forward to meeting you guys on the water.



Here's the second biggest of the day.

Awesome video! Looks like you killed it. Great song choices too. Hope to see you out someday.
-Aviv

Thanks bro. See you guys tomorrow!