Practicing kayak recovery in pillar point harbor

New to kayak fishing and initially thought I would practice rolling and recovering my kayak in some lakes. However, Pillar Point is much closer to me than any accessible lake, and I'm thinking about practicing kayak recovery inside the harbor (taking off from HMB Kayak Co.).

Any issues with this plan? Any reason why practicing safety inside the harbor should be avoided? Also, what are some fish to target inside PP harbor? Thanks for the help!

You should be fine.  You can catch rockfish along the far (straight out) North jetty wall. Good luck.

Just watch-out for the power boats 

my first practice self recovery was inside pilliar point harbor.  should be easy enough

I took a safety class in Pillar Point harbor, it's a good place (and reasonably warm according to my kids, who were swimming there today).

Fear58,

I absolutely love that you're taking the time to learn how to self rescue. The only thing I would suggest is practicing with someone to spot you or near shore (where you could swim to safety if need be). Even in the harbor things can turn sour as I've personally witnessed a few months ago...

Happy to say I had a great 4th of July weekend -- my 2020 Outback went on it's maiden voyage and practiced self-rescue in Pillar Point (and even got some fishing in)!

I convinced my fiance to come to join me. She wasn't too thrilled with the idea initially, so she bartered with me. Deal ended up being I get her a $140 inflatable Craigslist special yak and tow her around the harbor in exchange for a set of eyes in self-rescue. So, in effect, I became the most expensive tug-boat yak out in the water for the weekend.

But it was all worth it. I rolled off my kayak, re-entered, flipped, re-entered, rinse and repeat. All in all, I didn't think it was so bad inside the harbor... I'm sure it's a different ballpark in swells. My go-to for righting the Outback usually consisted of me grabbing the pedal fins to hoist myself, then grabbing the side of the yak and rolling. I learned a LOT when re-entering. I know what gear gets in the way on the geartrack now, and will reposition accordingly. Once the clip/sheath on my PFD knife got caught in the Hobie chair, and that was a hassle getting un-hooked... but another lesson.

Overall, I think kayak fishing is AWESOME. I can't wait for the next weekend to get out there and past PP's jaws to hook up with some real fish.

Here's the opening scene of the Maiden Voyage for the Outback, and what we've now dubbed the lil-Outback (I just finished putting a Hobie decal on the inflatable before this post  ).

Just be careful over there: https://www.kron4.com/news/bay-area/pacifica-half-moon-bay-beaches-declared-beach-bummers-by-heal-the-bay/

Glad you got out there and practiced self recovery and had some fun with your fiancee to boot. You may have tried this, but another way to flip the yak is to reach under and grab both handles and push it over by pulling with your far hand while pushing up with your close hand. For me that is easier than reaching over on wide kayaks.

Nice work practicing self-rescue, and thanks for sharing.

Thanks for sharing. I was curious about the knife snagging incident. Can you share more details? I had a post the other day on safety knives and I own the Atlantic Salt by Spyderco, which I think wouldn’t have any snagging issues. But just wondering.

Also, I highly recommend doing a surf session with your kayak. Go hit white water. See how it feels. Stay close to the shore and let the waves throw the kayak. Use straps for balance. I’ve done it and learned a lot. Can share more if you want. Did it at Linda Mar. Broke my Ram mount and lost my GoPro so no footage (dang!)