How rough is too rough??

If you have to ask yourself "should I?" Then the answer is no, you should not. When conditions are right for you, there won't be any question in your mind about wether or not you should do it. That being said, if you happen to be a weekday guy, hit me up. I love crab and I go on weekdays.

Time on the water. What was too rough last time, might not be this time, and vice versa. BigGabe and I launched once on the Sonoma coast, and I was back on land in ten minutes sick as a dog. Same swell the weekend before was no problem. I am positive I was dehydrated and, did not take scopase. Having the strength to come back in is key. Gabe and I were fishing for WSB in Monterey, made many drifts, and on the long paddle back in, we were going against the current, and wind. If you stopped paddling, you lost 100 feet of advance. I barely made it to the beach. Know your limitations, and the only way to know them, is to be out on the water, preferably with someone.

A. don't go alone, hook up with some one
B.  Prepare to go in, west suit/dry suit, wear a  PFD, have a radio and dress to go in.
C. Don't take anything you absolutley don't want to lose.
secure everything.
D.Point your bow into the swell
E. Bring a radio and know how to use it
F. Let people know where you are going & what time you plan on being back.
g.  The nice thing about HMB, you get o the mouth and it looks scary turn around fish the inner harbor, no harm no foul.

This is from some one who got to ride the HMB harbor patrol boat on a semi calm day.

thanks for the great info everyone!

I completely agree with all statements and am constantly learning. I usually travel with a buddy and we're both avid outdoorsmen, both of us whom have had experience under and on the ocean surface. The 20 rule is a great idea, though with my experience i'd be more comfortable with the 15 rule and then build on that as time goes on. Goodluck everyone this season and hope to see you all out there!

Really great advice in this thread, maybe it should be stickied?

As other have mentioned, in many great way's, it's one thing to go out in good conditions and have them turn bad on you.  And another to go out in bad conditions and have them turn worse on you.  Personally I dont find myself to be that 'hardcore' anymore about pushing my limits with the conditions.  I look for good conditions and windows of oppourtunity that look good for at least 4-6 hours of fishing.  But be prepaired for what the afternoon has in store for you, because most of the time wind and swell pickup later in the day.

The direction you choose to head out should also depend on what you believe the forecast will be later in the day.  If you headded 2-3 miles South of your launch, and the wind kicks up 10-20kts from the North, your going to be in for a hell of a time getting back in.  Dont forget to look for Plan B's as your paddling out, as SCAllen taught me.  Keep your eye out for any potential landing or sheltered spots you might be able to use in case of an emergency.

Really great advice in this thread, maybe it should be stickied?

As other have mentioned, in many great way's, it's one thing to go out in good conditions and have them turn bad on you.  And another to go out in bad conditions and have them turn worse on you.  Personally I dont find myself to be that 'hardcore' anymore about pushing my limits with the conditions.  I look for good conditions and windows of oppourtunity that look good for at least 4-6 hours of fishing.  But be prepaired for what the afternoon has in store for you, because most of the time wind and swell pickup later in the day.

The direction you choose to head out should also depend on what you believe the forecast will be later in the day.  If you headded 2-3 miles South of your launch, and the wind kicks up 10-20kts from the North, your going to be in for a hell of a time getting back in.  Dont forget to look for Plan B's as your paddling out, as SCAllen taught me.  Keep your eye out for any potential landing or sheltered spots you might be able to use in case of an emergency.

^ thats money Al, nicely put!