3/17/07lindamar crabs w/wipeout pic

I went to linda mar beach on saturday with a friend from out of town.  He had wanted to go skateboard the new skatepark there but when we arrived there was a contest so no go for him.  Lucky for us I had brought my kayak but when he saw the ocean he didn't feel like testing it out in the surf. 

I told him that I would score us some crabs(original plan anyway) and so we headed to save mart to get some cheap chicken thighs.  I loaded up the traps and bait boxes and away I went.



He held on to my camera so that he could get some wipeout pics.  The swells weren't huge but the sets had 3 to 4 foot faces rollin in consistently with a couple 5 to 6ers inbetween.  Really a mixed up wave and swell day but I didn't care, I was on a mission.



A successful launch with perfect timing.  I went and dropped traps close in, maybe 200 yards past the breakers.  Large tide detergent plastic conainers that were real visible helped me to spot them as the swells continually grew on the outgoing tide.

I came back in for pizza slices and to hang out a while for the traps to soak.


After a couple pizza slices we met some new friends.  They decided to come watch me launch.  This time no pic because my friend was preoccupied with flirting with them.   I paddled out and had 3 keepers in my box trap.  Released the bait and put them away.  On to the next trap that had nothing.  The last trap closest to shore had 3 nice fatties in and away I went to go land.  Nice rough conditions make paddling the tarpon even funner.  I timed myself between sloppy sets and caught a nice wave for at least 100'.  Yee haw! I had my paddle below me in the face of the wave to keep her steady and then popped out right before it crumbled above me.  I felt like a pimp but then realized another wave was right behind it and i was sideways in the surf.  ENDO!


I guess my friend was paying attention now and was stoked to see me get toppled.  In the pic above I am underneath the kayak.  I came up and found my paddle.  Uprighted my yak just to have another set take it away from me.   My bungees kept my traps in place and my hatches kept my little dungies safe and dry.


And here I am, chasing my boat.

A pretty fun 4 hours spent kickin back at Linda Mar.


The spoils of war.  jtf..

RAD!

JTF... that's a good catch considering it was a rough day and you were just using chicken for bait.

Cool surf pics.  Playing in the surf is highly recommended.  It helps build confidence.  I plan to do more of it as the weather gets warmer.

Way to go JTF. So did you and your friend eat those crabs alone?

JTF... how did the breathable waders perform through that ordeal?  Any water inside?

EK

JTF... how did the breathable waders perform through that ordeal?  Any water inside?

EK

I was gonna ask the same question?

JTF... how did the breathable waders perform through that ordeal?  Any water inside?

EK

Aye! Good Question!

what a great post. congrats on the crab!

I have been wanting to skate that park myself.
skated ripon with some other geezers on sunday.

J

Great report!

EK, Chuck, Dustin,  I wore my 2mm pants and shortsleeve wetsuit underneath the waders.  I then put my splash guard over and then used the little belt that came with my waders and cinched it down as I was crouching and had pushed most the air out.  yeah, yeah, I know their breathable, I just didn't want to wait for them to breath while i was standing in the shallow waiting for my window to get out.

When I bailed coming in I the only thing wet was my hair and my arms up to my elbows and I was under for about 5 seconds.  so... no water in, seriously, i'd been thinking about trying my waders in the ocean for a while, but I wasn't careless, i wore something warm underneath. 

john, ripon is a sick skatepark, almost too sick for the likes of us "older guys"  one of the reasons I really got into kayaking was the concussions, sprained wrist, sore body, etc. etc.

that ptown park has one of the nicest bowls i've seen in a while, I'd say that park is right up there with ripon.  thats sayin alot.  jtf..

Way to go JTF. So did you and your friend eat those crabs alone?

Um.... not really Frank, I'm a fisherman, the crabs were lures, I threw them in the boiling water and got a couple bites.   

Nice dungies, man.  That sucks you guys didn't get a chance to check out the park.  I was looking forward to a report.

Way to go bro!

sweet report.  Today water is perfect!
Jason

Is that The Surfaris I hear in the background?