kayak fishing with a slow kayaker?

haha..

this weekend, i was talking to my buddy - pedaling leisurely to our first fish spot...  just talking loudly over my shoulder.  no response, i look back and he was way the heck back there.  just chugging along.

i enjoy fishing with others immensely.  i love the camaraderie.   he likes to stick with me, but i always have to wait for him.  i dont "love" the journey..i just want to get there and start casting.  my Hobie Compass is pretty quick..i got it up to 4.9mph according to my GPS..i feel like i can go forever at 3mph.

i feel safety and etiquette wise, i should stay at his pace..right?  you and your buds all similar in speed?  i wont stop fishing with my new friend.  we get along pretty good, as far as i am concerned.  he may think i am a dikhead..who knows? (and he just wants my secret spots)

I often encounter this on group motorcycle rides.  I'm typically the one who organizes the ride and therefore find myself leading most of the time.  I have two options... I can either lead and create a gap and occasionally wait for them to catch up and then repeat the process... or I can let them lead and I tell them where to go.  The risks are that you might put them outside of their comfort zone if you just keep pushing ahead of them.  They may overexert themselves and not have the energy to get back.

If you're really impatient, you could always offer to tow them

Depends on the situation, both weather and comfort level, which is dependent on experience.  Also if you have radios/cell to communicate.  I would ask my buddy before getting on the water, or really before making any move on the water, what he is most comfortable with, given the current conditions.  If either of you think staying close is better for your comfort level, then stick together.  Otherwise, agree to a plan to meet at XYZ point.

-Allen

Being the slow guy, I’m over it, so long as I know where I’m going, if I feel my friend is my responsibility then I drop most ambition and hang at their speed.  Fish are everywhere if it’s your turn.  If they’re slow and concerned they’ll pipe up.  Yes, all very unique to conditions and level of relationship.

Never leave a new guy or a guy outside of his comfort zone if you've committed to going fishing with him.  I did that once and it resulted in a PB rescue which I didn't even know about until hours later.  He had a mechanical failure with his drive and flipped with an open hatch.  I had just told him we'd meet up at a spot, and I didn't think much of it when he didn't show since there were dozens of other kayakers out there (tournament day).

With my regular fishing partners we just do our own thing, no one is expected to stay close.  Radios are key.  Just look out for the new guys and if you do take one on, he's yours until he's back on land or you've handed him off to someone else. 

Maybe you should tow him? 

One more reason for solo fishing. 

Just look out for the new guys and if you do take one on, he's yours until he's back on land or you've handed him off to someone else.

Awww man. Does this mean I gotta wear a toddler leash as well? What if im wearing my floaties?

Just look out for the new guys and if you do take one on, he's yours until he's back on land or you've handed him off to someone else.

Awww man. Does this mean I gotta wear a toddler leash as well? What if im wearing my floaties?

You?  No, I’ll just take you out back behind the woodshed.

Just look out for the new guys and if you do take one on, he's yours until he's back on land or you've handed him off to someone else.

Awww man. Does this mean I gotta wear a toddler leash as well? What if im wearing my floaties?

You?  No, I’ll just take you out back behind the woodshed.

Lol dang. There is very little hope for me

Just look out for the new guys and if you do take one on, he's yours until he's back on land or you've handed him off to someone else.

Awww man. Does this mean I gotta wear a toddler leash as well? What if im wearing my floaties?

You?  No, I’ll just take you out back behind the woodshed.

Lol dang. There is very little hope for me

Don't worry...it only stings for a second...

I recall a report from long ago.. or maybe it was just legend story.

Anyhow, veteran diver takes out spanky newb to fertile grounds. They do pre-outing check and one of the things stressed was that in the event of landlord showing up... stay calm, stick together, back to back. Once in the water, lo and behold big fish speared by newb. Fish/spear line and gear gets wrapped up in the kelp. Suddenly taxman appears and chomps on the catch. Vet instructs to stay calm on surface or such. In the blink of an eye, newbie says adios and practically flies out of the water towards dry land leaving OG buddy all by himself to deal. As vet approaches/makes land, newbie shouts out asking if vet recovered newb's speargun/gear. Fury and chastisement ensued.

Safety wise, they say you just have to be faster than your buddy... etiquette wise, ultimately between you and your maker?

You might want to consider trolling out to your spot while sticking with you buddy.  Or get ahead like you did and jig a few minutes while he catches up?  One thing I've learned is to go with the flow.  The fishing has always panned out better than the original plan of just fishing the spot targeted. 

Just look out for the new guys and if you do take one on, he's yours until he's back on land or you've handed him off to someone else.

Awww man. Does this mean I gotta wear a toddler leash as well? What if im wearing my floaties?

You?  No, I’ll just take you out back behind the woodshed.

Lol dang. There is very little hope for me

Don't worry...it only stings for a second...

And how EXACTLY would you know?!


On subject if I take newbies out I always plan on staying with them even if there slow as molasses, ask crash, I took him out as a newbie  when he was up here....( no wood shed involved GUARANTEED!!)  my only plan when going kayak fishing is have fun.

Just look out for the new guys and if you do take one on, he's yours until he's back on land or you've handed him off to someone else.

Awww man. Does this mean I gotta wear a toddler leash as well? What if im wearing my floaties?

You?  No, I’ll just take you out back behind the woodshed.

Lol dang. There is very little hope for me

Don't worry...it only stings for a second...

And how EXACTLY would you know?!


On subject if I take newbies out I always plan on staying with them even if there slow as molasses, ask crash, I took him out as a newbie  when he was up here....( no wood shed involved GUARANTEED!!)  my only plan when going kayak fishing is have fun.

I’m coastal people and it was 101° in the shade that day.  Completely
Ridiculous.