How far do you guys paddle?

I am looking at a 12-13 mile round trip on Sunday. If I had a pedal kayak, I wouldn't even second guess it. But I have a paddle kayak so it is all arms. I am young and in good shape. Looks totally feasible just want to get some insight from older more experienced guys. I'm fishing solo so that is always a concern, being 6 miles off shore in an emergency. Pretty heavily traveled area so I don't think it'd be hard to hail for help from a boat in an emergency. How far have some of you guys paddled? How sore the next day?

How many VHF's do you have?

How many compasses and GPS's?

Do you have flotation in your kayak?

Extra paddle and pump?

Flares?

Have you ever paddled against a heavy current and wind?  Have you ever paddled for hours straight at 60-80% of your capacity because you had to?

Have you been offshore in thick fog?

You've gotten some good advice here.  Building up to something like this is the best way to achieve it.  There are great rewards to be had in this sport that are totally separate from the fish - they're earned through carefully planned and executed actions.  I'm not saying don't do it.  Just be ready when you do it.  Asking about it was a good move.

Some things to think about:

1.  Your boat "friends" can be gone in 1 minute.  If there is a bad condition or slow fishing, the boats will be gone in no time and you may be out there alone.
2.  You are slow, 6 miles out means 6 miles back in.  That's just the To and From trips.  You gotta add Search For Fish leg and account for conditions.
3.  Your radio has a range limit (depending on what radio).  The Coast Guard can hear you, but you may not hear anything back.
4.  Darkness is terrifying, especially when your GPS is out of juice and you can't see your compass or the shoreline.
5.  Can you out run the weather?
6.  Can you handle bad situation physically and mentally?  i.e. paddling like crazy but gain a short distance.  Drift for one minute and you lose your gain from 30 min worth of effort.

I am not saying don't do it, but you gotta know yourself and what you can handle.

I would rather drive an extra hour to get to a spot I didn't have to paddle that for to get to the fish.
Definitely have a Plan B exit strategy if you paddle out that far.
Conditions and fatigue could mean you are not getting back from where you launched.
Bring a cable and a lock because you may have to abandon the kayak to hike to a road.
If you don't lock it up leave some kind of note explaining that it was left there intentionally.

Just a wild guess from what you say sounds like youre talking about Monterey Bay and if so a few things good to know

The wind there can turn 180 in a really short space of time, something to do with the geography there

If you’re launching out of Moss the tide runs are a factor, example outgoing plus a decent swell and it can be a roller coaster, I dumped a very stable yak twice one afternoon coming in. I think last time I was there I was working my ass off and had my doubts about whether I could get back in through the jaws

This is definitely true.  The mouth there can rip sometimes.  I've been out on really nice days like you described.  Other times, I was on a boat or an AI and it was gnarly coming back in.  In my regular kayak, I probably would have went for a swim.  Never use ideal trips as as example, do your research of the area you will be launching from.

Fog can also be a big factor. Especially this time of year. Big emphasis on gps and compass. dressing for immersion and plans for possible kayak failures. Got Bilge pump ?

Quote from: Chacon
I am looking at a 12-13 mile round trip on Sunday.

You always train for a race before running it.    paddling 12 to 13 miles nearshore is a big difference than miles away from it. Good you posted up before attempting.

I am looking at a 12-13 mile round trip on Sunday. If I had a pedal kayak, I wouldn't even second guess it. But I have a paddle kayak so it is all arms. I am young and in good shape. Looks totally feasible just want to get some insight from older more experienced guys. I'm fishing solo so that is always a concern, being 6 miles off shore in an emergency. Pretty heavily traveled area so I don't think it'd be hard to hail for help from a boat in an emergency. How far have some of you guys paddled? How sore the next day?

So....you going?

You might do a three mile out and back close to shore without stopping to give yourself an indicator of how you will respond to a six miler offshore. Perfectly possible to do a six out and a six back in the right conditions. All of us here do solo trips now and then but the further offshore the more likely it is we have a partner or two.

I am looking at a 12-13 mile round trip on Sunday. If I had a pedal kayak, I wouldn't even second guess it. But I have a paddle kayak so it is all arms. I am young and in good shape. Looks totally feasible just want to get some insight from older more experienced guys. I'm fishing solo so that is always a concern, being 6 miles off shore in an emergency. Pretty heavily traveled area so I don't think it'd be hard to hail for help from a boat in an emergency. How far have some of you guys paddled? How sore the next day?

So....you going?

"just stirring the pot"

Some things to think about:

1.  Your boat "friends" can be gone in 1 minute.  If there is a bad condition or slow fishing, the boats will be gone in no time and you may be out there alone.
2.  You are slow, 6 miles out means 6 miles back in.  That's just the To and From trips.  You gotta add Search For Fish leg and account for conditions.
3.  Your radio has a range limit (depending on what radio).  The Coast Guard can hear you, but you may not hear anything back.
4.  Darkness is terrifying, especially when your GPS is out of juice and you can't see your compass or the shoreline.
5.  Can you out run the weather?
6.  Can you handle bad situation physically and mentally?  i.e. paddling like crazy but gain a short distance.  Drift for one minute and you lose your gain from 30 min worth of effort.

I am not saying don't do it, but you gotta know yourself and what you can handle.

That pretty much wraps up my thoughts.  Distance is only 1 of the many variables. I've done 20 mile days in my revo, but they were under conditions that permitted them, not just by chance or luck.  Working with the tides and winds will be in your favour

If you're decided to go please leave your trip plans with someone in case you get lost or have an accident with instructions to notify the authorities should you be overdue for your return.

All really great information guys. Truly appreciate the input. Thank you. It is out of Santa Barbara. Not as wild of an ocean down here. So weather looks perfect, currrents are going to be on the high side. I have all safety gear/pump/vhf/compass. I am pretty sure I have made a similar paddle in distance, just near shore. I paddled for 10hrs straight a month ago and was very sore the next day. For now, I am going to put it on a to-do list paddle. There is something about making a crazy paddle like that and then getting on fish that makes it so rewarding. I think that is part of why I love kayak fishing. You put in all this work in planning, preparation, training, etc and when it all comes together and you land fish, it is the most rewarding thing. Anyways, I am going to come up North to you home boys and try to grab a few of your salmon out of the boat. Saw Moss landing and Monterey have opened. Again thanks for the feedback. All great info! This forum is loaded with information

Good call. Sounds like an awesome trip when the time is right.

One other suggestion: you might consider bringing a spare full sized paddle if youÂ’re making that kind of trek. Not too long ago I had a real nice Werner paddle snap clean in half in the middle of a hard paddle stroke. Luckily I was near shore and had no trouble getting in with my little telescoping emergency paddle. It would have been a very different situation if IÂ’d been miles offshore.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'm gonna be a responsible adult here and say, no fucking way.  6 miles out in a kayak is too far and absolutely not worth the risk, even for a trophy salmon.  There are SOOOO many things that can go wrong out that far that would put you in serious peril.  Lost paddle, take on water, weather, flip, fatigue, darkness, fog, dead gps, handheld radio dead or out of range, and the list goes on.  If you're going with friend(s), I'd say your brave.  If you're going alone, you're a fool.

And why go 6 miles out when you can catch the same fish 1/2 mile off shore?  Its just not wise.  If you want challenge, then do like these other bad-ass salmon fishers and paddle your 12 miles while 1/2 mile off the coast. 

Regardless, whatever you chose I wish you the best of luck.   

(somebody had to just come out and say it)

6 miles out is a long ways man. I don't think its a good idea. I too am in pretty good shape and thought I was comfortable in my yak. I got cocky one day and got dumped a lil over 2 miles offshore while I was solo. Wind picked up and swell got nasty and just rolled me. I have practiced self rescue but in those conditions it was really tough. The ride back was pretty scary and it was a lesson learned. Could of been much worse. I was very lucky. I would take heed of what these guys are saying and definitely reconsider. It can be a fatal mistake if not taken with the utmost seriousness. I would only consider something like that if I had years of experience, skill and a ton of preparation

In the salt, Be aware of your surroundings, environmental factors and location. At six miles out, wind and current/drip can bring you farther than you thought from your launch area and If even just a light fog creeps in between you and the shore you might not find it in the way back unless you’re familiar with the landmarks or proficient in electronics navigation. Plan ahead of your trip. Weather, tides, swells and specially wind and current directions. Be safe!