Bullard's Bar and Safety

SCARY!!

i almost pitched it last weekend when a boat waked me and i was yanking my rod to try to break off a snag at the same time.  i had that "whoa!" moment.

i am glad you are okay and you are evaluating your various safety options. 

Glad to hear you made it back home. That's a scary story.

I purchased a kokatat dry suit last year and have been really happy with it so far. I purchased mine used at NRS - but it still had the tags attached when it arrived. Keep an eye our for deals at NRS or try Kayak Academy, especially if you don't have a local dealer. You might find immersion gear at a more affordable price if you look around.

That sounds like a close call. Glad it didn't end even worse. I wear a thick wetsuit and they are much cheaper than a drysuit. I once fished for kokanee up there and had problems with the cables that anchor the boat docks in the cove. I've also dragged bottom several times. Its scary. I try to pay close attention to what my fish finder shows when I have a downrigger deployed. I would say dragging a downrigger around is up there on the risk scale and is definitely a time to pay full attention and not take on other distracting stuff. Thanks for the report.

Good thread thanks for sharing.

I just read the story to my wife. 

And I ordered a dry suit.  Thanks for the reality check.

OP. If you want to go again, reach out.  Safety in numbers.

The crazy thing is I saw a post on Facebook last night about this incident with pics...from the kayaker that helped you. And wondered if either of you guys were on NCKA. Glad to hear you’re ok and thanks for sharing your experience.

Hiw does one get someone to shore?  You drag him? 

Nuts.

OK.  Last confession, hopefully.  I had a whistle (in my pocket), a radio, and an Emergency Locator Beacon.  I always keep them in a dry bag, on the deck.  Yesterday, I thought I would try putting them in a hatch for convenience.  When the boat flipped, the bag disappeared into the hull, not to be found until I got home last night.  As for the whistle, I totally forgot it was there.  Adrenalin.

I don't use Facebook, but I have to thank that guy.  If anyone knows him, could you let him know?

Glad you're OK.   

I swear there's a Loch Ness type creature out there at Bullards.  I was out a couple weeks ago and had 2 separate snags in different parts of the lake.  (*Near Dark Day.)  The water was deep enough that my downrigger shouldn't have been anywhere near bottom.  The Kokanee setup got snagged on something and turned me around, both times.  After a little tug-of-war I got freed.  Luckily, I retrieved my set-up without going for a swim, breaking my rod or losing any equipment.

Glad you're safe and it's a good lesson for all of us to be safe.  Never know when your luck will change.

Thank you very much for sharing, it is very much appreciated as reminder for us to be careful and prepare accordingly.

OK.  Last confession, hopefully.  I had a whistle (in my pocket), a radio, and an Emergency Locator Beacon.  I always keep them in a dry bag, on the deck.  Yesterday, I thought I would try putting them in a hatch for convenience.  When the boat flipped, the bag disappeared into the hull, not to be found until I got home last night.  As for the whistle, I totally forgot it was there.  Adrenalin.

I don't use Facebook, but I have to thank that guy.  If anyone knows him, could you let him know?

I think it is very important to have the safety gear on or in your PFD. I have my knife, and radio attached on the out side. Flares, whistle, phone, and PLB on the inside.

Thanks again for the confessions it helps us all to be safe on the water.

This for sure.  When a whale took off with my downrigger ball, a similar situation could have happened to me, however, I had 100 lb braid spooled, and had the DR loosened enough to where the whale just started peeling line.  I had a knife right where I needed it for a quick cut, and I was safe.  Thanks for sharing and glad you made it out alive.   

I had exactly the same thing happen a few years ago at Moss Landing (pre-AI days, when I was on a tippy Adventure/Revo 16). I saw the whale roll about 4' beneath my kayak just before the line started peeling off.

Braid for the DR line is a must, along with a knife that you can reach instantly. I always carry a PLB, and it seems to me that if you're going solo, a PLB becomes critical safety gear...

This for sure.  When a whale took off with my downrigger ball, a similar situation could have happened to me, however, I had 100 lb braid spooled, and had the DR loosened enough to where the whale just started peeling line.  I had a knife right where I needed it for a quick cut, and I was safe.  Thanks for sharing and glad you made it out alive.   

I had exactly the same thing happen a few years ago at Moss Landing (pre-AI days, when I was on a tippy Adventure/Revo 16). I saw the whale roll about 4' beneath my kayak just before the line started peeling off.

Braid for the DR line is a must, along with a knife that you can reach instantly. I always carry a PLB, and it seems to me that if you're going solo, a PLB becomes critical safety gear...

I use dacron from DR line. It’s easier to see and no annoying harmonic vibration like steel line.

I use dacron from DR line. It’s easier to see and no annoying harmonic vibration like steel line.

What lb test are you using ?

I use dacron from DR line. It’s easier to see and no annoying harmonic vibration like steel line.

That's probably even better, as it's less likely to cut. The slight increase in diameter would probably only matter if you're fishing really deep.