Santa Cruz spurr of the moment

Was planning Paradise, but two people did not have yaks, and we went to Santa Cruz so they could rent a skiff. Right off the bat, I dump the yak, and lose half my tackle (the weights and jigheads) and found out you cannot swim with waders on.  Very close call folks!  Anyhow, my camera was smoked, so I do not have any pics to post, they might.  I caught a short ling, and several missed hits because my hooks were too small to protrude through the swim baits like they should. Why? Read sentence two. The group caught some really nice lings, and some nice rockies.  They boys in the skiffs kept a bunch of small gophers that they gave me. Not much meat on them, and coming up from 35' of water, they would have been safe to release, but oh well, just not my style.  Very long day and am very sore today.

Bummer about your incident...lesson learned though I imagine.  At least you got on the water though - thanks for the report!

sorry to hear about your dump and lost gear.   But, in finding the silver in every cloud, its a good thing you discovered the limitations of swimming in waders in a situation that you were able to recover.   The experience could save you down the road.   Glad you came out safely.    There will always be more and better fishing days ahead.

Yo, srry about the lost gear.. I did the same thing on opening day..lost 3 rods in 60 feet of water.. Try to fish for them but no love.. U want home with fish taco, that's alway good

Same thing happen to me at LM  , it was a borderline breaks but no consistency very unpredictable, I tried to read as I was told couldn't find the pattern, I did had a garage but to a minimum about $100 bucks worth of jigs and tackles  .. Major bummer took all my energy, I am glad I was there with the 415 crew.. help me get back.. I use to wear waders too, but mooch suggested I am better off on a wetsuit, gladly I followed his advice would have been a real pain when I capsize. Glad your ok, next time go to the first option if you're not sure on the weather... I learned that the hard way 

ordering wetsuit tonight, other than that, it was a banner day.  SC boat rentals posted some of our pictures of fish on their fishing report if you want to check them out.

Sorry to hear about your lost tackles.  Thank you for sharing the experience and the report.

sorry about the gear but at least you are ok, did you have a wading belt, and was it tightend down? cameron

I did not have a belt, they were neo waders, and had the straps undone, and around my waist. Wanting to head back, but I need to rest, I am totally smoked after the last two weeks of hard fishing.

Sounds like u added sugar to your lemons... safe ending...WTG!!!

Sorry to hear about your experience, but its just that more experience. What part of the Cruz did you dump your boat? I have had some close calls at Capitola and New Brighton with the shore break thereand have even dumped once at MBK of all places. I use a NRS 2/3mm Farmer John style wetsuit (get the kind with the 2-way zipper in front-no explanation needed ), rashguard and paddle jacket so I can adjust to the varying weather conditions. The suit is plenty warm for most of the season if I should fall in offshore. Good luck and good fishing. I only keep a couple of my jigs out when paddling in or out, and store everything else in my waterproof tackle bag behind my seat until I need it. My bag is secured to one of the hold down's just in case. I have not been diligent about securing my rods though, and this is a reminder that I definitely need to take another look at that. Mike

: MontanaN8V .I dont really enjoy wearing wetsuits myself. i purchased this wetsuit with the convenience of the zipper in the front. on hot days you can fold it down. if the occasion arises where you fall over, it can easily be pulled up and zippered. in theory . happy fishing bulldog

oh yeah!  i purchased the grizzly for us barrel chested kayakers

http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product.asp?pfid=2215&deptid=1162

Thanks, yeah, that day was unusual, I always stow my gear, and was in a hurry and did not secure everything.  I always secure the rods, learned that one a couple years back.  GLoomis is still on the bottom of the port oc sac! Now, it is ugly stick, little cheaper.

  Anglers have drowned while surf fishing for stripers on the east coast because of waders. Look before you leap, or launch , as it were.