3/23: Self-Rescue Practice With a Chance of Halibut - Oyster Point

I'm going to be practicing self-rescue at Oyster point on Saturday the 23rd, then possibly doing some halibut trolling afterwards. Falling off a kayak is more fun with company, so come on out.

What? Practice self rescue for a bit, and then whoever wants to can catch the top of the tide and see if there are any halibut around yet (some keepers have come out of the bay already).

Where? Launch by the wind sock at Oyster Point Marina: https://www.google.com/maps/dir//37.6611907,-122.3753091/@37.6613217,-122.3762133,310m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!4m1!3e0 Parking and launching there is free. There is a construction detour to get to the marina, just follow the signs.

When? 12:00 Saturday, March 23rd. I plan to arrive at high noon and launch (without most of my fishing gear) by 12:30. If fishing looks promising I will rig up for trolling around 1:30.

Why? Skills can keep you alive. Even if you've practiced before, you might learn something. Maybe your new rod holder is in the way of reentry, or maybe your drysuit neck gasket doesn't seal as well as you hoped.

What will the weather be like? No idea. If it is nice it will be nice, and if it is nasty it will be more realistic practice for self-rescue.

Is this a class? No. I'm happy to compare notes, but this isn't intended to replace professional instruction.

Is Oyster Point a safe place to kayak? Sometimes. The main hazard is that the prevailing wind can push you away from land and into larger chop. I know of several deaths that resulted when people launched small craft from the area and were not prepared for the conditions.

Why aren't you doing this in a nice freshwater lake? I'm not aware of any nearby lakes that allow kayaks. Also: chance of halibut.

  Thanks for putting this together.  I'm pretty sure I will join you. 

Way to go Krishna!  I have been knowing I need to fall out of my kayak, or even flip it for max re-entry practice.  Gotta work saturdays but I hope you get a good turnout and a Hali paycheck

I'm going to be practicing self-rescue ...

AI or a normal kayak?

Thanks for the hookup, KPD  .

  Thanks for putting this together.  I'm pretty sure I will join you.

Great! 

Way to go Krishna!  I have been knowing I need to fall out of my kayak, or even flip it for max re-entry practice.  Gotta work saturdays but I hope you get a good turnout and a Hali paycheck

Too bad the schedule doesn't work. Hope to see you on the salmon grounds soon.

AI or a normal kayak?

Normal kayak. I've been meaning to practice righting a fully-rigged AI, but I'd want water deeper that 16 feet so that the mast doesn't get stuck in the mud, plus setting up the full AI is a chore.

Thanks for the hookup, KPD  .

Cheers, hope you can make it.

Sounds fun. Hopefully I can make it. Need to research what to get for kayak halibut tackle

Sounds fun. Hopefully I can make it. Need to research what to get for kayak halibut tackle

No need to overthink it: throwing swimbaits works quite well. If you want to get more complicated, the attached picture shows the common live bait and bounce-balling (trolling) rigs.

Sounds fun. Hopefully I can make it. Need to research what to get for kayak halibut tackle

No need to overthink it: throwing swimbaits works quite well. If you want to get more complicated, the attached picture shows the common live bait and bounce-balling (trolling) rigs.

Sweet thanks👍🏼

I had unplanned practices on my first day of kayak free diving at Van Damme.  No one told me how to put may long freedive fins while sitting on a kayak.  After flipping my kayak four times I got so tired I didn't have much energy left for diving.  One more practice at HMB while fishing when a boat went by and created a huge wave while I wasn't watching.  My previous practice helped me to be calm and able to rescue myself.  One of an indoor pool at Sacramento area has special hours for self-rescue practice.

CCK has self rescue, rolling practice every Thursday evening 7-9  at the Richmond Plunge. I think the cost is $15.

CCK has self rescue, rolling practice every Thursday evening 7-9  at the Richmond Plunge. I think the cost is $15.

That sounds like a good resource. If you practice in a heated pool, don’t forget that there’s going to be a lot more cold shock in the ocean.

No need to overthink it: throwing swimbaits works quite well. If you want to get more complicated, the attached picture shows the common live bait and bounce-balling (trolling) rigs.

If you go with the bounce ball thing on a kayak, you might want to shorten the leaders...

Def going to try and make it KPD. Working at Paige's school until noon then I'll try and head over. It's been a while since I've practiced a self-rescue so that's a really good idea. Would like to pick up Halibut tips as well. I never fish the bay even though is so close and I'd like to change that.

Why Oyster instead of Coyote? Better chance of Halibut up there?

Great, hope to see you there.

Why Oyster instead of Coyote? Better chance of Halibut up there?

Launch and parking are free, and as long as the tide isn't too low there is a nice concrete ramp (by the wind sock) that you don't have to share with boat trailers. On average I think there is better halibut fishing closer to OP than Coyote Point.