New on board...

Hi guys....

I recently purchased a new 2019 outback from kayak city in Sacramento.  Been adding accessories for the past two months. I took it out a couple of weeks go for its maiden voyage out in the delta and had fun with it. Even caught a couple of 4" baby largemouth bass on rattletraps.

Anyways, I brought my yak to the Alameda rockwall boat ramp to launch out in the bay for the first time today. There was no wind and was starting to warm up in the 90s. I  decided to try for halibut or striper with a 3way rig and anchovy trolling.

Managed to get to the end of the rockwall with ease and decided to go into the naval base side on the opposite of rockwall. Trolled there for a while and decided to head back as it was getting really hot and was starting to tire out pedalling. As soon as I got to the end corner of the rockwall, there was a strong ebb tide and was making my trip difficult to fight against the current.

I was pedalling as fast as I can but was only making about 1-1.5 mph progress against the current according to my fishfinder. I managed to get past the corner end of rockwall which had currents of it's own and stayed close to the rockwall pedalling against the current.

By this time my legs were wearing out as I've been pedalling for a couple hours. While struggling with a slow progress, the thought of just giving up crossed my mind as I was overheating. I kept dunking my hat in the water every 10 minutes to cool me down.

I remember glancing at my rate of speed using the rockwall for reference and thought I could walk faster than I was pedalling.  Suffice to say, after about 45  minutes or so of hard non stop pedalling, I managed to get to the other corner of the rockwall limping towards the boat ramp.

Lessons learned: 

1. Check out tidal chart for max ebb flow rate and times before heading out
2.  Need to remember that the distance I pedal out will be the same coming back.
3.  Need to lift amas out of water during pedalling against the current to reduce drag.
4. Reduce load on kayak to reduce drag
5. Do more leg exercises like stairs and bicycling to build leg strength and endurance

Open to suggestions and advice when yakin the bay and currents. 

Btw, I would like to eventually fish and crab in the open ocean at halfmoon bay this season.  But after todays experience with strong currents, I'm a bit leery now. Anyone have advice regarding crabbing and rock fishing at halfmoon bay?

Fyi, I've been a fisherman since I was a kid and an avid windsurfer for 20+ years all around the bay. And have windsurfed in treacherous conditions during the winter storms back in the day. I still windsurf on occasion.  Just not as die hard as when I was younger. So, being on the water is not new to me.  Just new to kayak fishing and the reality of the currents of the bay. 

Also, I'm considering getting one of those modified trolling motors that I'd use during situations like this. Is it worth it?  Thanks all in advance.  Rudy

Hi Rudy, welcome to the madness 

Welcome to NCKA Rudy.   

Also, am considering getting those modified trolling motors that I'd use during situations like this. Is it worth it?  Thanks all in advance.  Rudy
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Hey Rudy, welcome to NCKA! At ARW you could of gone back through the wall opening and made it back on the inside for a beach landing. I wouldn’t recommend a motor as a safety feature. I use one for trolling and I do not go further from the launch than I am capable of paddling back. So far I have had to paddle in three times after getting my line tangled in the propeller. At HMB I find a sudden increase in wind to be more challenging than the tides.

At ARW you could of gone back through the wall opening and made it back on the inside for a beach landing.

I forgot to mention, I would've done that except the city has fenced off access to the beach as they're working on rebuilding the beach/park area. I even asked if I could just roll my yak across work area to get to the lagoon as that's where I wanted to fish originally and they said no.

The foreman said they won't finish the beach area til Thanksgiving, btw.

Also, thanks for the 411 regarding the trolling motor.  But I would probably still use the pedal drive for trolling/fishing and use trolling motor for long distance travel or going up current.

Welcome Rudes,

I also recently started on this forum and kayak fishing.  I do have some arthritis and actually picked up a motorized kayak (old town autopilot 120).  Although I dont get as much cardio (do that with other activities) but Im not tired at the end of the day and enjoy my outings.  I can go pretty far with it and can go against wind and current pretty well (albeit slow). So, I think a trolling motor add-on is definitely a plus.

Let me know if you go out there again, I can join you.

Jim

Welcome to NCKA Rudy.   

Let me know if you go out there again, I can join you.

Jim

Thank you for the advice and invite, Jim! Yeah, I would like to meet and fish with you and other fellow yak fisherpeople as I was not comfortable going out by myself for the first time on the bay. Unfortunately, this first experience did not end as pleasantly as I hoped for. But, I'll recover physically and mentally soon enough and will get back on the yak again.

I'm interested in catching my first halibut/striper off the yak. Ive caught both on land and boat already. But not sure whether it's still good this time of year at the arw or somewhere else.  I know the delta would be great for striper this time of year as I live in Antioch. But really more interested in doing more salt water fishing in the bay and eventually get to half moon bay for some rockfish and crabs.

Also considered coyote point. But, i know the currents are stronger there on an ebb tide too.

Hi Rudy, welcome to the madness 

Thank you fishbushing!

Welcome to NCKA Rudy.   

Thank you BsHawk!

Welcome to NCKA Rudy.   

Thank you Papa Al!

Welcome to NCKA, Rudy!! 

Don't forget you can paddle and pedal at the same time in those tough currents.  You nailed it, though.  Look at the tidal coefficients before you go out.  Know that places like the openings in jetties are going to be choke points. 

Stay safe!