Once Capsized Newbie

Hey JT, welcome to NCKA!

Here is a map that might be helpful.  If you zoom in enough, you can look at 'wavy' legends, those are something to pay attention to.  Dont forget, depths are affected by low/high tides (i.e. what you see on the way out could be different on the way in).  Also, I strongly suggest this one, get a waterproof phone and keep it in your vest, securely.  If you dip and you lose your radio, you have a backup communication device .... might safe your live one day ....


http://fishing-app.gpsnauticalcharts.com/i-boating-fishing-web-app/fishing-marine-charts-navigation.html#15.1/37.4880/-122.4851

Wow yakyakyak that map will be extremely helpful. I’ve been keeping my radio literally tied to my vest with paracord and my phone in a pelican case tied to the yak with flares and my wallet and keys. You make a great point about keeping the phone on my person because it’s so easy to get separated from my yak, then I would only have one communication device. Do you have any recommendations for vests that have lots of pockets good for fishing? They all seem to cost over $120 and I’d rather not regret a purchase like that. If anyone else has input about vest recommendations I’m all ears.

Do you have any recommendations for vests that have lots of pockets good for fishing?

I really like my NRS Chinook, though it's the only fishing PFD I've ever had so I have no point of comparison.  I've heard the pockets make reentry difficult for some if you fall out, but I have not had the issue in my recovery testing.  I'm sure others that have been doing this long enough to go through multiples may have more to say on the subject.

Also, a pack of these lanyards are amongst my best kayak purchases:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073NY3MZK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I can clip things to the zipper pulls on the vest, and tuck the things and the lanyard inside all the way so you don't have anything to get hung up on.  Also allows me to clip all my gear to the yak for launch and landing.  I would have lost a lot of gear by now without them, not by flipping or anything, just by being a butter fingers while juggling gear on the water.

I keep a small compass, whistle, multitool with knife, soft phone case (with phone and fishing license inside), and VHF all lanyarded to the vest, and other than the VHF they are all tucked into the pockets until I need them.  Most are self explanatory, but I figure if I end up swimming in dense fog the compass might be crucial.

Just remember the lesson learned when you spilled.  It happened so quick, so no time to safe anything.  Paracord is good and cheap, they will do the job beautifully for attachment line. 

As far as PFD, I would get one from one of these brand, NRS, Kokatat, or Stohlquist.  I find it best to NOT get one geared toward whitewater (they typically have a life line attachment).  Most fishing yakkers prefer pockets.  I personally prefer a liner clip where I can just clip my radio to it (I dont like to put my radio inside a pocket).  Also, be watchful for the size of your phone.  If you have one of those bigger screen phone, or planning for one, you need to make sure it will fit in the pocket. 

I suggest you go to a local store and check things out.  Monterey Bay Kayaks (Moss Landing & Monterey), Kayak Connection (Santa Cruz), California Canoe Kayak (Redwood City & Jack London Square/Oakland) are all good places to start (They may have other locations as well, those are the ones that I've been too).    Also, I should mention those vendors have been good to NCKA and a lot of their staff are here on the board, some very active 
I think whichever you pick, you may end up using it for a long time (if you are like me).  I have the old NRS C-Vest model, Kokatat Bahia, Ronny Astral Fisher, but I always go back to my C-Vest, my oldest PFD     The NRS Chinook has always gotten a good review throughout the years, I think that one is never a miss. 

Your timing in terms of purchases are not good, typically PFDs are not on sale during the kayak season   But during off season, expect at least 25% off (standard and you should find a better deal).
You might be better off asking folks here if they have PFD for sale.  Used ones are perfectly OK, as long as there is no integrity issue (i.e. frayed line, etc). 

Also, a pack of these lanyards are amongst my best kayak purchases:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073NY3MZK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Just got a pack of those and some paddle leashes as well.

Just remember the lesson learned when you spilled.  It happened so quick, so no time to safe anything. 

And with a lot of force. I’ll post pictures of a bent brass clip from my seat. As far as cost of the PFD goes, I’m not too concerned about spending $160 on one, I just want to spend the money once and be happy with what I bought. I think going to one of the local shops to try for fit on me and with my gear is a good call. I’ll be going PFD shopping in a few weeks as I just spent a good chunk of change replacing my gear that I lost plus buying more stuff today.

That’s what it’s supposed to look like.

I use the NRS Chinook OS. It has plenty of room to hold 2 flares, radio, phone, transponder, knife, and whistle. The phone, transponder, and radio are leashed.

I had the similar regular Chinook  on during a couple of surf zone classes, and had no trouble getting in the kayak. The constant smashing into the sand ruined the face of the radio though. CCK has a nice selection of PFD's. I have the well used regular Chinook if you want to give it a try. I think it is a M-L but I will check tonight.

The first thing I bought a month before my kayak was my PFD. It’s not great for fishing as it has just 1 pocket, but it’s functional. I use a standard horizon hx 890 radio with GPS. Haven’t registered for an MMSI number yet, but will do so soon. I always wear my 3/2 O’Neill wetsuit, no question about that, and I keep my flare gun, phone, keys, wallet in a pelican case tied to my yak. 

It sounds like you were pretty well prepared, but I'd add a compass to your list (in case GPS fails) and a knife (preferably, attached to pfd and can be accessed instantly).

As for weather/conditions, in my experience NOAA usually has a worst-case scenario, so if you want to be cautious, that's a good choice. On the other hand, windy.com is generally closer to reality (be sure to check the different forecasts available on windy).

I use the NRS Chinook OS. It has plenty of room to hold 2 flares, radio, phone, transponder, knife, and whistle. The phone, transponder, and radio are leashed.

I had the similar regular Chinook  on during a couple of surf zone classes, and had no trouble getting in the kayak. The constant smashing into the sand ruined the face of the radio though. CCK has a nice selection of PFD's. I have the well used regular Chinook if you want to give it a try. I think it is a M-L but I will check tonight.

Here are pictures of the one I’m using now with all the stuff packed on, and in it. And another of the sizing of my old one (3 1/2 years).

It sounds like you were pretty well prepared, but I'd add a compass to your list (in case GPS fails) and a knife (preferably, attached to pfd and can be accessed instantly).

As for weather/conditions, in my experience NOAA usually has a worst-case scenario, so if you want to be cautious, that's a good choice. On the other hand, windy.com is generally closer to reality (be sure to check the different forecasts available on windy).

Very good point!  I have a whistle/compass combo, if I remember right, I think I picked it up for like $8.  I was in a very thick foggy situation once and I know there are plenty of power boats around.  When they start sounding their horn, I used my whistle.

If you tether gear to your yak, get a safety knife and attach it to your pfd with a retractable lanyard on the knife, just be sure the leash is longer then your arms reach.

Here are pictures of the one I’m using now with all the stuff packed on, and in it. And another of the sizing of my old one (3 1/2 years).

That’s a nice setup you have there.

If you tether gear to your yak, get a safety knife and attach it to your pfd with a retractable lanyard on the knife, just be sure the leash is longer then your arms reach.

Good call. I actually just got a line cutter knife from west marine the other day. Do you have any specific recommendations on which safety knife would be best?

I don't know if its Kings rock as was mentioned, but I have seen that not always visible wash rock almost take out a large cabin cruiser.

LilRiverMan you’re right it’s not always visible. I’ve seen it obviously jutting out of the water at a low tide and completely hidden at high tide. I was about a 1/3-1/2 mile south of there when I went down. No matter what tide it is, the waves seem to always visibly break over there. I got caught by some surprisingly large swell, one of which started cresting at the top, or maybe white capping, not sure the term. All I know is that when I heard that sound of rushing water, it probably wouldn’t turn out well for me.