Lessons learned

well tonight didn't start the way I invisioned. I was anxious to get out at linda mar with the water looking like glass. I noticed another kayak out in the water and decided to launch by myself. It couldn't have been much calmer, except for the little three waves that happen to break over the bow of my Tarpon 140. I quickly found out the center hatch didn't stay shut very well filling it with water. shouldn't have been a big deal, except I had put my digital camera, my cell phone, and my wallet in there earlier in the day so I wouldnt forget about them. I forgot.  They were soaked. OK, not a biggie, I was still excited to get out there and fish.

I decided to get set up to troll for halibut, just needed a weight out of my tackle box to set up. I awkwardly leaned around to get the box with the weights in it out so I could set up. (thinking the whole time,wouldn't that suck if I dropped this!) Made quite a splash, I didn't realize until it came up for one last gulp, that I had about 10 lbs. of weight in it. ( I was trying to stay organized). I quickly was loosing my excited, I headed out to meet a local kayaker, Jack, no salmon, no bites, lots of bait. just no action.  We headed in together, made it through the surf OK, wasn't bad, except someone had told me to be safe, jump out when I am in about 4 feet or so of water and walk my kayak in.  It would pay to know the area Ilive in a little better. I was able to come back to the surface and find my hat.....

Total loss,

1 Tackle box full of weights and lures, $40.00
1- wet digital camera its a gonner, $200.00
1- cell phone $100.00
1-wet wallet, $0 at least it is all drying out
1-pride and humulition PRICELESS.

Bummer!  We've all had a version of this day...sorry bro!  

Mine was the oopposite, despite common sense I was having an unstoppably great day in horrible weather.  I had a load of fish in my ice chest (yes I used to bring an ice chest) and I can see some people watching from the shore in amazement that I was out in the squall.  I get cocky and try to surf in and look cool.  The yak surfed for about 2 inches, pearled, and jackpoled everything into the big blue.  Not sure if they thought I was cool as I groped in the waves trying to find all of the shit I lost...doh!

Ohh... dude... that sucks... sorry to hear about your loss. I guess it's a learning process that we all have to work through for ourselves... we've all been there to one extent or another.

Erik

Now you see why I took my gear out and did a couple practice landings last week

While landing, I'd never voluntarily get out of the boat until it's hit the sand. If you do end up out of the boat in the surf, keep it between you and the shore. The last thing you need is to get mowed over by your own boat.

If I'm down there next week Joe, do you want to do some surfing practice before going out and trying to bag some fish ?

Regards,
Scott

scott, sounds good, I think I will leave my gear in the car. Last night I was dreaming of all the crap I had in that box, I think I have a good idea whats missing now. My biggest lures for lingcod, and a bunch of weights and swivels. I go shopping today, Ineed to restock before I meet you up at fort ross tomorrow Erik. I am back to being excited. Don't think I will try the coolers thing either Sean, I plan to really downsize what I take out.

When I said jump out in 4 feet of water I meant 4 feet   The longer I stay in the boat, in the surf zone the more chance I have of flipping. The kayak has to really get rocked to flip on its own without a person in it.

Sorry to hear about your tough time out there.

For sympathy to your story you've come to right place, the doctors are "in". That was a bummer tale.
I used to launch with my reels on the rods and the rods in rod holders. Worked fine for the first season, launching in calm conditions or off docks only.
One day a 1 foot wave flipped the boat at the sand as I stepped out, looking (so I thought) too cool for school.

Reels: packed solid with salty sand.
Rods: busted
Obscene epithets: Plenty
Confidence in "looking cool": Nowhere to be seen.

Now I use a little dry bag & stow the rods during launching & recovery
The ability to learn from these things is what makes use "seasoned". You didn't just lose the gear, you also lost some "newbie". From now on you'll check hatches, leash stuff, and have a better understanding of what works for you on the kayak.
Welcome!
-Sean from the Doon

not a tough time. I still had a good time. just as withmost things in life with me, I learn the hard way. But let me tell you when I learn it, it sticks.........

Joe..

I bought a dry bag from REI and keep my phone, camera and whatever I need to stay dry in it.  Its worked well for me and I recommend it.  I also use a small tackle box which has seals and doesn't allow the water to get in.  It fell out once coming in from linda mar but floated so I was able to retrieve it.  

I usually jump out on a foot or two of water and grab the front bow line and run to the beach as quick as possible.  I've seen guys get mowed by their own kayak so if the kayak turns sideways, make sure your not on the beach side coming in.

John

I know sean from GWKC is saying to himself "what did he do with the drybag I sold him", well, I forgot it at home. That won't ever happen again either.

Skyboy,
I trashed my nikon digi cam this year too.  Was taking a pict, set it down to paddle and it got wet from the water when it slid into the very first footwell.  Also lost a pair of pliers this year too.

Stuart

I shoot for two feet or less myself...  If it's matter of eating #$!% or not though, I'll hop out in 4ft.  Generally I get as close as possible, and once either the backflow stops my foreward progress, or a wave is about to get me, I hop out.

Can we set up a surf survival clinic similar to Jim's in San Diego or Spike's in LA.  Coming from Sacramento, I attended one session of Jim's.  He is an excellent teacher and learned a lot that day.  Were it not for the distance I would have attended another.

I will talk to Doug @ HMB Kayak Company this weekend and see what we can work out.

any of you guys going to join us at fort ross tomorrow?