Gauging ocean conditions

For all of the experienced salt anglers...I'm considering a trip
To Monterrey this Sunday. Is a 5 foot swell with 8 second intervals comfortable/safe fishing?

My personal thought is that I like a swell height less than 1/2 the period. So 5 ft at 10 sec is about my limit. 1ft at 10 seconds is awesome, and 10 feet at 10 seconds is me throwing up. Just a rule of thumb I use. Everyone has a personal comfort level.

My personal thought is that I like a swell height less than 1/2 the period. So 5 ft at 10 sec is about my limit. 1ft at 10 seconds is awesome, and 10 feet at 10 seconds is me throwing up. Just a rule of thumb I use. Everyone has a personal comfort level.

Thanks...so I'm looking at some borderline uncomfortable conditions, good to
Know what to expect. Pack the Dramamine!

It also depends on the direction of the swell and the wind direction. I also look at the energy of the swell. If the wind is opposite the swell it can stand up the swells and make them steeper. Now on the other hand if the wind is the same direction as the swell it could lay the swell down. What I would recommend is to check the report then go look at it and your gut will tell you if you should go out. If you do that enough times you will be able to rate the conditions to your abilities. Don't take what is safe for others be the judge for yourself. One example would be the Albion Tournament where the conditions report did not look that bad to me 9 foot swell at 9-10 sec. intervals so we went out, while in the cove it was ok but as soon as we got outside and making the turn north it was a little bad for my taste, much more like a washing machine. Others did go out into the rougher stuff and I decided to stayed just inside the rough stuff.

When I first joined NCKA I learned a cool trick.  If I added the wind speed to the swell size -   Under 20 is a GO, Above 20 is a No Go.  Been using this ever since and it's worked for me. 

It should be real nice down here this weekend.

Good luck!

 

Sincerely,

Jim

My personal thought is that I like a swell height less than 1/2 the period. So 5 ft at 10 sec is about my limit. 1ft at 10 seconds is awesome, and 10 feet at 10 seconds is me throwing up. Just a rule of thumb I use. Everyone has a personal comfort level.

this is the type of information ive been looking for
. thank
you much

When I first joined NCKA I learned a cool trick.  If I added the wind speed to the swell size -   Under 20 is a GO, Above 20 is a No Go.  Been using this ever since and it's worked for me. 

awesome information. ill give it try

If using the if swell+wind < 20 then go else no go rule you should first apply the swell <= 1/2 period rule.

You aren't going out in 5kts wind with 14'@10 seconds.

Or no wind and 20' swells, for that matter. Swell direction vs beach orientation, and underwater topagraphy also play a role. There is a book called "guide to sea kayaking in central and northern california" that has some good info and advice on launch sites and sea conditions to look out for


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When I first joined NCKA I learned a cool trick.  If I added the wind speed to the swell size -   Under 20 is a GO, Above 20 is a No Go.  Been using this ever since and it's worked for me.

+1

If using the if swell+wind < 20 then go else no go rule you should first apply the swell <= 1/2 period rule.

You aren't going out in 5kts wind with 14'@10 seconds.

I forgot to mention that the formula I gave also requires common sense.  I don't care what you add 14' swells to...I'm staying home or going to the lake.   

Or no wind and 20' swells, for that matter. Swell direction vs beach orientation, and underwater topagraphy also play a role. There is a book called "guide to sea kayaking in central and northern california" that has some good info and advice on launch sites and sea conditions to look out for


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I'll check this book out.

Thanks all for the responses and information. All very helpful, it ended up being a very nice day out there, we stuck close to the kelp for this maiden voyage and felt very safe with the Dolphins, otters, and almost flat conditions.

When I first joined NCKA I learned a cool trick.  If I added the wind speed to the swell size -   Under 20 is a GO, Above 20 is a No Go.  Been using this ever since and it's worked for me.

I used to use this, but now I'm over 40 so it's more like 15-16 is a go

These guidelines are helpful, thanks! I was out of Santa Cruz last weekend, not fishing, in my sea kayak, and the conditions were rough. No way could I have fished in that. I wish I knew what the swell was listed at, I had looked at it and it sounded ok, but I forgot what it had been listed at. Anyone know if there's a list of historical swell data anywhere I could look back at?

Meanwhile, we're supposed to be going fishing out of Santa Cruz this coming Sunday. Swellinfo lists the swell at 11ft/16 seconds WNW, wind of 4mph NW. So it doesn't meet the guideline of dividing interval by 2, but it meets the swell+wind < 20 guideline, but swell and wind are basically in the same direction which I think someone mentioned could make the swell stand up more. I'm thinking it doesn't sound so great, and I might need to postpone, but wanted more experienced opinions? I'd be ok with these conditions if I was sea kayaking, but not sure if I'd be able to keep the boat in one place long enough to fish? I usually use some kelp to anchor the boat in place; I only know how to jig-fish so far, so have to keep the boat in one place.

A related question; if conditions don't allow kayak fishing Sunday, is there a good place near Santa Cruz that we could shore or jetty fish with our same equipment: starter rods/reels with 20lb line and the type of rubber bait you use for rockfish and ling cod.

These guidelines are helpful, thanks! I was out of Santa Cruz last weekend, not fishing, in my sea kayak, and the conditions were rough. No way could I have fished in that. I wish I knew what the swell was listed at, I had looked at it and it sounded ok, but I forgot what it had been listed at. Anyone know if there's a list of historical swell data anywhere I could look back at?

Meanwhile, we're supposed to be going fishing out of Santa Cruz this coming Sunday. Swellinfo lists the swell at 11ft/16 seconds WNW, wind of 4mph NW. So it doesn't meet the guideline of dividing interval by 2, but it meets the swell+wind < 20 guideline, but swell and wind are basically in the same direction which I think someone mentioned could make the swell stand up more. I'm thinking it doesn't sound so great, and I might need to postpone, but wanted more experienced opinions? I'd be ok with these conditions if I was sea kayaking, but not sure if I'd be able to keep the boat in one place long enough to fish? I usually use some kelp to anchor the boat in place; I only know how to jig-fish so far, so have to keep the boat in one place.

A related question; if conditions don't allow kayak fishing Sunday, is there a good place near Santa Cruz that we could shore or jetty fish with our same equipment: starter rods/reels with 20lb line and the type of rubber bait you use for rockfish and ling cod.

Not sure I would ever try 11' at 16 seconds.  It sounds like a sucky day to me no matter the location.