Social media reporting / postings

I can’t help but wonder how many deaths could have been prevented if aspiring new kayak anglers had stumbled across NCKA earlier and absorbed some of the safety-forward culture rather than soaking up whatever they might find on YouTube? (For example, videos describing how to “safely” wear waders in the cold, Northern California waters!)

I'm very thankful someone pointed me to this forum... the info here for the safety info alone is worth its weight in gold. The referral  wasn't from any of the numerous videos of people out in the water, it was from a coastside fishing club member. I think it would be great if the youtubers started promoting the NCKA forum.

I can totally see a newbie getting in trouble really quick by watching a few of those vids of people landing huge hali's and salmon. IMO, an introduction of kayak fishing through Youtube/Facebook draws in a particular type of angler -- the minimalist and younger type (me included), and probably a lot of times, that means ending up not having the right safety equip.

I think the only reason I'm going heavy on consuming the safety information and gear is because I've had a real close call with death in the big blue. Thankfully, it wasn't my time that day and got saved by a friend. Unfortunately, I believe it takes a real close-call in the ocean to learn from and start taking safety seriously.

I can’t help but wonder how many deaths could have been prevented if aspiring new kayak anglers had stumbled across NCKA earlier and absorbed some of the safety-forward culture rather than soaking up whatever they might find on YouTube? (For example, videos describing how to “safely” wear waders in the cold, Northern California waters!)

I think the only reason I'm going heavy on consuming the safety information and gear is because I've had a real close call with death in the big blue. Thankfully, it wasn't my time that day and got saved by a friend. Unfortunately, I believe it takes a real close-call in the ocean to learn from and start taking safety seriously.

Ive practiced self rescue since before I took my kayak out, always worn a pfd (and i mean always, i have never even taken it off on my kayak), always have a radio, gps, whistle, compass, and flag. I always dress for immersion, and I (as of 2020) now carry an ACR ResQlink 400 PLB.  I have never flipped my kayak, never dumped it in launch or landing.  Its very much possible to be aware of and practicing safe kayaking well before things go south.

That said I used to sail and came from the surf fishing world, so ocean and danger have been two very closely related words in my mind for a while.  The issue with this "spot burning(posting/sharing/whatever)" is as you said. Everyone has the tools to catch the fish now- they skip the important part.

TLA and I Presented on Kayak fishing to a sea kayakers club recently and the most important point was that "We are kayakers first, Fishermen second"  That should be the priority, but unfortunately the opposite is becoming the trend- Fishermen who are now on kayaks.   Priorities.

I have much to say in this topic but it can all be summed up by saying.....it was Antonio. 


......that is all.

I tried to go to Santa Cruz but the city and its covid panic’d residents have told me and other valley dwellers to collectively go fuck ourselves.   

I’d write up a report for the places that are still welcoming but who wants to see pics of little bass lol.

 

And.......I’d pay for a private bird to post reports in, getting tired of  those bullshit running threads for the whole season.  I’m also in favor of Antonio moderating......then everything really will be his fault 

I have much to say in this topic but it can all be summed up by saying.....it was Antonio. 


......that is all.

I tried to go to Santa Cruz but the city and its covid panic’d residents have told me and other valley dwellers to collectively go fuck ourselves.   

I’d write up a report for the places that are still welcoming but who wants to see pics of little bass lol.

Nice of you to setup your yak just for a photo shoot.   

And....STFH!   

I think it is both good and bad. I get on youtube, see how to do something. Then go out and do it. I have also used social media to meet new people that live hundreds of miles from me that share the same passion for fishing. This last weekend I met up with a kid down in San Diego and we fished for yellowtail. Without social media, never would of been able to do that. So instead of fishing unknown waters for the first time by myself. I had a guy out there that we were in constant contact with each other and he even gave me some pointers. On the other hand there were literally 100 boats/kayakers in my vision the entire day but I guess that is just Southern CA for you. It sucks because, yes maybe those secret spots aren't so secret anymore but at the same time you still have to put in the leg work to get there and convince that fish of a lifetime to take your bait. For me, I think it is overall a positive thing. If the "locals" are going to get pissed off from someone showing up to fish their waters, then oh well. The ocean is its own entity and anyone who thinks they have claim over a certain portion of it just because they put a house up "on land" near it must think pretty highly of themselves. As far as newbies paddling out and getting killed, well that is always tragic but as we all know the ocean is unforgiving and has to be respected. Whether it's because they watched a youtube video on kayak fishing and decided to give it a try, who knows.

I'll mention not everyone with a gopro is a youtuber. I usually take my gopro out, half the time it's not even running but when it is it's generally only for myself, my kids, and my dad.

Hey OG's.  Tell me this.  Is there anything on YouTube that we didn't already know and haven't discussed here?  I'd claim that there is relatively little innovation in this sport, and that includes the "discovery" of new spots to burn.  There are just a whole lot more people doing it.  And a whole lot more new people that think they've discovered something that no one else has.

-Allen

Hey OG's.  Tell me this.  Is there anything on YouTube that we didn't already know and haven't discussed here?  I'd claim that there is relatively little innovation in this sport, and that includes the "discovery" of new spots to burn.  There are just a whole lot more people doing it.  And a whole lot more new people that think they've discovered something that no one else has.

-Allen

You deserve a Kancho ataboy! 

Hey OG's.  Tell me this.  Is there anything on YouTube that we didn't already know and haven't discussed here?  I'd claim that there is relatively little innovation in this sport, and that includes the "discovery" of new spots to burn.  There are just a whole lot more people doing it.  And a whole lot more new people that think they've discovered something that no one else has.

-Allen

Would be nice if we could focus on the newbies not being dead, but I’m not in charge here.

Hey OG's.  Tell me this.  Is there anything on YouTube that we didn't already know and haven't discussed here?  I'd claim that there is relatively little innovation in this sport, and that includes the "discovery" of new spots to burn.  There are just a whole lot more people doing it.  And a whole lot more new people that think they've discovered something that no one else has.

-Allen

Would be nice if we could focus on the newbies not being dead, but I’m not in charge here.

I thought we already established that YouTube is saving the Newbies.  Apologies if I’m wrong about that.

-Allen

“I tell you what, you guys donate and I'll set up a board just for you to pay to be dicks to each other.    I'll even make Antonio the moderator.”

This sums it up. I came to this sight with something like admiration. But what a bunch of dicks. The localism. The pissing contests over number of posts. Hating on others daily. You deserve each other. The last few days have been some serious lord of the flies shit.

“I tell you what, you guys donate and I'll set up a board just for you to pay to be dicks to each other.    I'll even make Antonio the moderator.”

This sums it up. I came to this sight with something like admiration. But what a bunch of dicks. The localism. The pissing contests over number of posts. Hating on others daily. You deserve each other.

You seem like a pleasant fellow.

I’m very pleasant, but some of the unpleasantness that’s entered my brain is spilling back to the source.