HMB tourney

guitarzan, for somebody that doesn't fish the ocean very much your showing is impressive. great report.

Javier looks like a gunslinger! kind of cool that it was a cab shootout over the mav's reefs.

funny to think it can look like this in the winter

LESS FILLING!!! TASTES GREAT!!! LESS FILLING!!! TASTES GREAT!!! or should I be saying... WAVES!!! FIRE!!! WAVES!!! FIRE!!!... my vote is for waves... good luck with that debate.

Freddie

I hadn’t planned on attending this event but I’ve wanted to try rock fishing. I thought I read somewhere that HMB usually had calm conditions when other places were still rough so that helped in the decision … 50 kayakers in what I thought would be milder conditions. Sounded like a good opportunity to take my first ocean adventure.

I had great plans on getting to bed early the night before so I wouldn’t be tired but all of the last minute things I had to do kept me up until 11pm. I woke up at 2am and needless to say I was a bit tired but I arrived at 5am which worked out well.

I saw Mooch doing last minute prep stuff on his kayak when I was ready to head out and asked if I could go out with him with the declaration that I was a newb to the ocean. Of course he made be feel welcomed and we soon paddled out.

My first thanks go out to Bill and Mooch, not for putting the event together or for letting me go out with them but for their posts that gave us newbes some insights on the danger of boilers and what to look for. Their posts stuck with me and I was very focused on the way out, making note of the 2 boilers that Mooch was leading us through.

As others have pointed out, the fishing was slow. I’m sure it didn’t help that I had a huge swimbait on hoping for … well a huge fish. I made a mental note to watch the time and start down sizing my bait as it got later without getting a bit. Once I was a little more comfortable on the water, I broke away from Mooch and headed to the Green can where I managed 1 20” ling.

While I was out fishing, I was wondering/hoping that these weren’t the great conditions that I’ve read about. I had planned on going back in at 11am but by 10am I was starting to feel a little sick and decided to call it a day. I’m glad to hear others describe the conditions as being rough.

Of course I’d like to thank Bill and Chuck for organizing the event, Mooch for letting me tag along, and a big congratulations to all of the winners. I had a great time and wasn’t planning on attending Elk but I may just change my mind on that one.  

I spent most of my time hanging out in calmer water. Had a great time. The wife and I enjoyed meeting and visting with you folks. This is a good group of people.  Many thanks to Bill, Chuck and the others that helped.

Here's a few pics:

My first thought about the pit, was cool fire design.

So fire is my vote.

Craigh

Here is my version of the report -

Fishing was slow as most people have experienced. In total, I have paddled 7miles. I managed to caught 9 fish. I threw back 6 small ones (browns + RF) and kept 3. The biggest brown weighed 4.5# It was nice. A marine biologist walked over and measured it, then he looked it up in his book. He declared it is 30 years old! Holy cow -- fish lifespan beats my imagination. 

My highlights of the day were the moments of two fish unbuttoned. I had a good hit and set the hook. I pulled the fish up, but the fish would like to dive. Back and forth two times I got it under control. Before I saw the color, it went free. I guess it was a decent size Cab. 10 minute later, another fish hit hard. I pulled it up all the way next to boat. It was another Cab. All the sudden, it went side FAST toward my kayak. I tried stopping the sideway swimming, but no use. Bang - a big hollow sound, it hit the yak hard with its head. Hook came off.  A very smart fish! If the fish keeps doing the trick, it would live long. 

Thank Mooch for taking picture of me holding brown RF. A  keeper picture! 

Eric

I was one of the ones who almost lost a yak. Only mine was due to stupidity (leaving ther drain plug out), and the boat didn't fill up in the harbor, but going through the boilers! Thanks to Mike and Sean-Stallion for the help in getting it drained. I jumped overboard and inserted the plug, then used Mikes sponge to unload the water. Quite quick actually. That new boat of mine was really close to going down.
After 10 years in a fibreglass yak with no drain, I'm having a hard time getting used to closing one now.
I paddled almost all the way up to the Distillery for nada. A few PB's up there; 2 guys fishing live bait all morning for 4 rock fish!
I had an excellent time nonetheless! Thanks Bill and Chuck and everyone who's food I ate; thanks Bill's wife for my awesome sweatshirt raffle prize. Javier, don't forget the WAF when you spend that grand!

As I was launching it looked like someone fell out of their kayak right next to shore and was swimming it to the beach, maybe about 15 feet away when I saw him. Then I realized his yak was sinking!!!I When he puled his yak onto the beach I could see the waterline on the INSIDE of his kayak was almost to the top. I do not know who this happened to but I would like to hear the story.

I was pissed ...

Let me begin the story be telling you about my friend Tim who turned me on the the site a few weeks back.  He had taken me out to fish on a kayak for my first time up in Northn California at Trinidad (close to eureka).  We went out 7/2 and 7/4.  I had borrowed Tim's friends gear who couldn't make it out with us.  My first day out I caught a ling and a quite a few rock fish.  Second time out I caught my 2 ling limit, one of which was the biggest of the two days at 11 llbs.  Those two experiences had me hooked. 


When Tim had told me about the HMB tourney, it was a no brainer.  Since I did not own a kayak my options were slim.  Tim had posted (last minute) and asked if anyone had an extra yak.  There was almost an immediate response(Thank You to Mooch) to let me borrow his extra yak.  Thanks again Mooch for the kind gesture to let me use your kayak, I am very sorry we called so late the day before to let you know that I had purchased a brand new Prowler 13 Ocean Kayak..(the yellow one for those of you who were still on shore to see me hit the soup and drag my half filled yak to shore).

Saturday, day before the tourney, and I need to purchase a paddle as Mooch didn't have an extra to lend me.  I went with Tim to Aquan which is located in San Carlos across the street from the REI right next to the 101 on the south bound side.  I found a paddle and then ventured to the vests.  Grabbed a vest, and I went on a spree from there.  I got booties, a wet suit, 2 rash guards, boat sponge and paddle leash and a few extras.  Then we saw the "Anniversary Sale" get %15 percent off all kayak accessories when you purchase a yak.  That's when I headed back to look at the yaks.  It was hanging, as one of the floor models.  I had the guy take it down, I then sat it in it and knew that I had to have it....plus I would have it for the derby.  I ended up getting the Prowler, and the guy immediately took it out to my car after paying for everything.  He heped Tim and I get the yak up on the new foam padded roof rack.  Of course I didn't think to look at the bottom of the yak for deep scratches or holes.  I was so excited about the new yak and for the derby the next day it didn't even cross my mind to check the bottom.  That's like looking for a hole in the pair of jeans you really really want....anyhow i didn't look on the bottom and regret it. 

Sunday, woke up at 4:20am.  Tim picked me up we drive from Burlingame to HMB and get there around 5:25ish.  We find the right place after some confusion, and start to get the yaks off the rig.  The shore looked awesome, completely lined with yaks.  I was excited and pumped to get out in the new prowler.  I got in the prowler and set off at the shore.  Tim took his time to get his fish finder ready and working as I stopped paddling a sat for a drift to wait for Tim.  After about 3 mins Tim is in the water.  He asks how the ride is on the new yak.  I respond with..."I feels really rocky"  I immediately start rocking to one side and when I correct to the other I almost fall in.....this goes on for the next 30-60 seconds when Tim was finally about 5 yards away.  I then have to jump off to the right as I felt the yak sinking under the water as i was sitting on top.  I lost 1 rod which i had also bought the day before and a box of 4 to 5 jigs I had also purchased.  another rod fell into a bucket luckly and Tim was able to paddle to it's rescue before it was claimed by the bay.  I then grabed my yak with one arm and paddled it in from about 20 yards out.  I was ust about to the left of the flat with the 2 sea lions on it.  I got the yak into shore and there were a good ammount of yakers still not in the water.  Tim cruised in as well and we immediately started to investigate how my yak had took on so much water.  Then I saw it.  A huge gapping hole in the bottom right hand side.  It was a thin looking cut into the bottom, which looked to be caused by something hard making a cut into the hard plstic.  I knew I could not of caused the gash on the side.   It was mounted on the rack in the parking lot of Aquan and then transfered to Tim's truck in the morning, then to the soft sand where we launched.  We got the yaks back on the truck and we started back home PISSED AS ALL HELL! 

I get to Aquan a little after they opened at 11AM thinking how we'd almost be coming back into shore at the derby.  At that time I had pretty much done all my pouting and cursing that I was just so exhausted from the long morning.  I went in and spoke with a different person than I had purchased the yak from the day before.  I started to explain to him what hapened and how we were in a Derby and we couldn't go out and how I had lost a rod and gear.  His face turned and I saw his expression which looked as if he knew about the hole in the boat.  He then went on to tell me that he and the owner had found this flaw in the yak a while back and had slipped on letting some of the others at the store know about the hole in the yak (as it was to be deemd a floor model).  He apologized and seemed very sorry for this misfortunate experience for me.  I felt like I took a car off the lot and got it damaged even though I knew I couldn't have caused the cut.  The weight taken off my shoulders was tremedous not only for me but for my good friend Tim who had sat in the store with me for 2.5 hours the day before buying the yak and gear.  Overall it was shitty that it happened, but it could have been a lot worse for me.  I am just glad that we weren't further out.  I was glad Tim lagged on getting into the water for me to drift for a bit and let my yak fill will water.  Aquan was very, very nice to me and told me they would contact Ocean Kayak to order a brand new yak for me.   They also said that if I had any outtings in the near future that they would give me a free rental kayak, as they rent them as well.  Aquan would reimburse me for my rod/reel and other gear lost.  Kuddos to Aquan to stand up and take responsability.  I was just glad that it wasn't worse.  It was a long day. 

I think it was Bill or Chuck who was collecting money in the morning...I think I left a note on your blue truck.  Considering Tim and I got in and out of the water, I was curious if I Tim and I would be able to get a refund on our$25 entrence fee to the tourney?  I would completely understand if we couldn't, but wanted to know for sure.  If you don't want to respond in this thread, you can PM me when you get a chance.  I look forward to posting and sharing/finding new information and hitting the water with some of you in the future.  I think this site is great.  Thanks again to Mooch!!  I am looking forward to getting back out there ASAP.

~John Hog 

HOLY MOLY!!!!!  That's an amazing story.  I'm glad to hear you are safe and sound.  Do you happen to know if the kayak was defective or damaged in transit?  I'm sure OK would like to know about your experience and how it was/will be resolved.

I cannot believe the miscommunication at Aquan.  That is negligent, but I guess I can understand how it could happen. 

IMO, replacing all your lost gear is only doing what's right!  They should also reimburse you and Tim the $50 entry fee and gas money as it was there negligence that caused you to lose the equipment and miss out on a special event.

Also, the free kayak rental is basically a loaner, since they already have your $$. 

A couple of take aways from your incident (which could have been any one of us):
1.  Always paddle with a partner.  Stuff happens (whether its a gash, missing plug, boiler, etc)
2.  Safety equip such as a PFD, farmer john (you reading this Mr. I don't get cold "Savage"?), and VHF are all worth their weight in gold compared to a FF.

Stuart

Sounds like everyone had a great time even if it was tough fishing and conditions....bummed we had to miss it.  Glad everyone made it home safe.

John Hog~

I have to say that I am pissed just reading your thread. The majority of we kayakers take safety VERY seriously. It is literally our lives on the line when we are out there.
I would be willing to bet if you wrote a letter or two to the right people you would get a free kayak. Especially since they KNEW it was defective and still sold it to you. . Mistakes do happen. But this is more than just a mistake. If you bought a 230 cm paddle and they accidentally gave you a 220 cm paddle, that's a mistake. This is not a mistake. This is pure negligence and they should be more than happy to give you a free kayak.
Replacing your gear is the right thing to do, but they need to make up for their negligence too.
All of us on the board either saw or read what happened and we are all waiting for a positive outcome for you. Bring this to their attention and settle for nothing less that a free kayak.

John,

Sorry to hear about your rough day on the water that is brutal. We do not have official policy on refunds but we did distribute all the cash to either pay the bills or for that $1000 cabezon.

Are you planing on going to either Elk or the Mendo event? Maybe we can work out some extra rafle tickets or something along those lines. Aquian should be the refunding your fees since it was clearly their fault you guys missed the event. 

John,

Sorry to hear about your rough day on the water that is brutal. We do not have official policy on refunds but we did distribute all the cash to either pay the bills or for that $1000 cabezon.

Are you planing on going to either Elk or the Mendo event? Maybe we can work out some extra rafle tickets or something along those lines. Aquian should be the refunding your fees since it was clearly their fault you guys missed the event. 

Bill, no worries as I had figured that you guys had distributed the moeny accordingly.  I do plan on asking Aquan for the $50 for our (2) enrtries.  I am planning on doing more events, I just need to check dates and make sure I don't have anything planned.  Guys, thanks for all the positive feedeback.  I will see what they can give me, b/c as many of you said it was just very negligent on their part.  I am stopping by there today with some receipts, we'll see what they have to say.  I will keep you guys informed and let you know what the outcome is. 

Cheers 

HOLY MOLY!!!!!  That's an amazing story.  I'm glad to hear you are safe and sound.  Do you happen to know if the kayak was defective or damaged in transit?  I'm sure OK would like to know about your experience and how it was/will be resolved.

Stuart, it was damaged in some way either at the store before I bought it (obviously), or it must've been damaged in the transit from Ocean Kayak to Aquan. 

John if you need a receipt for the derby just let me know and I will create on for you.