Chickened-out at Happy Hollow / RC limit at HMB

Pop and I Got to Bean Hollow around 7:00 am.  Watch the waves for about 1/2 hour.  No wind.  but steady swells 8-12 ft every 10-15 sec.  Beautiful day otherwise.  Birds were diving all over the place.  Very tempting.  Started to unload then felt this funny feeling in my stomach.  It wasn't so much the launching, it was landing that I was worried about especially after my dad's last wipe out at the Bean.  I felt torn.  So we decided to drive back up to Pebble beach, 1/4 mile down the road.  Studied the wave for another 1/2 hour.  Started to unload the kayak again.  Then I felt this hesitation, uneasiness from pop.   My gut feeling was telling me don't go, a part of me felt like I would be less of a man if I back out, never mind that I am still a newbie when it comes to lauching from the ocean. 

To make a long story short, we ended up going to HMB.  Fished between the Gn and Rd can for 2 limits of RC in aboout 3 hour.  Mostly blacks and blues 11/2 to 2 lb. with a few gophers mixed in.  Lost 2 piggy-back Lings.  Sorry, no pics.  Not much to brag about.  But I had a great time fishing with pop.  On the way home, I could't help but to think about all the fish I would've caught if we had stayed at Bean Hollow instead.  All those thoughts dissipated after I came home and saw my son ran out with his big smile on his face saying "Popa" "He-aa" (fish in Taiwanese). 
I thought to myself, Life is good when you can come home alive and see your wife and kids. Sometimes plan "B" is better, Respect mother nature.  Leave Bean Hollow for another day.

Eugene

I think it takes a man to make the right call and not go out in conditions that are dangerous. Good call and you limited out at plan B spot.

I go mountain biking with a genuine downhill racer nut.  He is always trying to get me to go faster and risk more.  I keep telling him I have a coward gene in my DNA that he no longer has.  I point out that evolution has served me well by keeping this gene active.  It is what makes me come in when the weather turns bad, slow down before I fly off a cliff or try to pet a GWS.

in short like Bill says, it takes a fool to do what others expect, and true courage to trust your instincts.

Conditions in this weekend (Sat & Sun) looks better than today and Friday. You are wise to leave it for another day. Actually, I am coward/afraid of GWS encounters at BH, which were mentioned in Craig's reports, although I love fishing at BH. I had good luck there.

I fished Bean Hollow on Wednesday, and the conditions were PERFECT...I just read a Coastside report of a guy who fished the same area today and had a great white shark circle his boat. I would LOVE that!

Eugene,
Thanks for being true to yourself which I think is the true testament to manhood. Instinct is a gift that is given to us. Most people however give in to ego rather then reason. Good call I loved your post. Hope to hook up soon. Frank

you are a wise man.happy hollow is no joke.

"I just read a Coastside report of a guy who fished the same area today and had a great white shark circle his boat. I would LOVE that!"

Malibu,  I take your words to mean,  you would LOVE the sight of the landlord if you sitting on a great big boat.  You probably wouldn't LOVE it if the landlord starts circling you on the kayak or wants a taste of your kayak with you on board.    
Not a bad idea to fish elsewhere for now.

Gordon

But if anyone is going out to Happy Hollow,  bring the camera!!!

We want some pics !!       

Well, if I saw a great white, I'd probably start shrieking like an ape, but once i was back on shore, assuming the shark didn't put a hole in my yak, I'd be thrilled...

Go with your gut feeling. No need to pressure yourself into doing something that does not feel right. Good call.
I got an email from CENCAL where a couple of guys went out of Santa Cruzin a 16 foot inflatable ( RIB ) to Ano Nuevo. They had the landlord swim up to their boat, BUMP the motor and circle them 5 times before swimming off. One of the guys snapped a quick pic with his cell phone, but it was swimming away when he did. They said it was LONGER than their 16 foot boat. Approx 18 or 19 feet long and got close enough for them to pet ( If they wanted to ).
All I can think of is that one test bite from that shark onto their boat and they are both in the water. Also, one bump from that creature into a kayak and chances are the kayaker might be in the water.
If I NEVER see the landlord and he never sees me when I am in the water I will be a happy happy camper!!!!

quote author=Tote link=topic=5877.msg48585#msg48585 date=1160749270]
If I NEVER see the landlord and he never sees me when I am in the water I will be a happy happy camper!!!!

 
Dito!

Good decision, Eugene.  It's called "judgement."

We looked at the waves for 45 minutes on syunday, and though we decided to go ahead and launch, if it was only 1 ft bigger I would have nixed it.

As it was, I was plenty nervous all morning thinking about the landing challenge.....
All made it in famously.

Thanks for the post.

Allen

I'm curious to know why some seem to have such a facination for encountering a great white while on a kayak?  It reminds me of how we can have the illusion of being safe sitting inside a car just because we are surrounded by glass.  I don't find the specter of a giant buzz saw tearing into my torso very appealing. Just hope that if and when he takes someone, its someone who wanted the invitation, who loved the ride and was thrilled by the encounter.

Just hope that if and when he takes someone, its someone who wanted the invitation, who loved the ride and was thrilled by the encounter.

What is that saying about the cat and curiousity?   Not hoping that anyone becomes a meal just do not want to tempt fate. Those things are HUUGE!