Self rescue

Hey fellow kayakers.  I’ve been kayak fishing for a few Years now and three years hitting the bay and it finally happened.  I flipped my kayak in the bay.  I was fishing The alameda rock wall and pedaling west against the waves when I hooked a halibut.  It should be noted that due to a shoulder injury, I haven’t kayak fished for almost a year and I was rusty and forgot about about certain safety things when trying to boat a fish.  As I tried to haul the fish in, I leaned to the left and took my eyes off the waves.  Little did I know that the fish had pulled me sideways and parallel to the waves.  The next thing I knew,  a wave that I didn’t see had rolled my kayak over and I was in the water.  Scared the hell out me because I didn’t see it coming.  After kicking off my rubber boots that filled with water,  I managed to right my kayak and hopped back on board.  Having never flipped my kayak before, I can only thank You tube and the numerous kayak safety videos  created by fellow kayakers I’ve watched since getting into the hobby.  I self rescued based on the videos.  Thank you all for the videos.

Damn, glad you're OK. Thanks for sharing. 

What else were you wearing besides the flooded boots?

I had on a life vest and my radio.

Did you leap over the bottom and grab the opposite side and fall back i to flip it back, or did you reach under and pull it towards you from the opposite side while pushing away on the close side while in the water?  Any gear loss?  Did you hang on  to your paddle?  Did you clip that fish?  Glad you are well, thanks for that reminder...

I leaped over the top and pulled the opposite side and let my weight roll the kayak.  After the incident I looked at you tube once again and learned that a piece of rope tied to one side of the kayak can be used to pull the yak over from the opposite side.  I now have that rope installed just in case.  I lost my pole and burned my cell phone.  The fishes swam off for another day.  Hahah

I leaped over the top and pulled the opposite side and let my weight roll the kayak.  After the incident I looked at you tube once again and learned that a piece of rope tied to one side of the kayak can be used to pull the yak over from the opposite side.  I now have that rope installed just in case.  I lost my pole and burned my cell phone.  The fishes swam off for another day.  Hahah

Dang on the lost gear, fish and phone, been there...I find the leap over and drop back style to be excellent if it can be done...adrenaline usually helps as well...

I had on a life vest and my radio.

What about clothing?
Were you wearing a dry suit or wetsuit?

Water is warm this time of the year so I was wearing swim shorts and shirt.

 

Water temps in the low 60s, air temps in the mid to upper 60s, and you’re going to insist on immersion gear?