Fishing solo yes/no ???

[doggmann]

I've been fishing solo on my kayak for the last couple years in Newport Harbor and really like it. The only problem is I'd rather not eat anything from the harbor.

I've been seeing posts from other members catching WSB among other things out on open water in some of the local kelp beds. The idea of spending a day on the open water with the potential of putting a few bass in my fridge is really appealing. I plan on checking out the only place I've heard anything about (Corona Del Mar) since I'd be able to get there relatively easy and I'm familiar with NPH.

I've never fished open water and plan on doing it on good weather days and with a friend. Does anyone go out solo? Is it a bad idea?

I'm sure there are some things I'm just not aware of asking so please feel free to add your 2 cents.

[Dannowar]

90 percent of the time I fish solo. And usually at night. It's peaceful.

[Fiskadoro]

90 percent of the time I fish solo. And usually at night. It's peaceful.

X2

I love hooping alone at night. In fact I don't really enjoy it till everyone else leaves :D

[danjor]

X2

I love hooping alone at night. In fact I don't really enjoy it till everyone else leaves :D

x3 I normally fish solo. I try to get people to join me but it never happens so I'm solo 90% of the time. And night fishing solo is very peace full as long as your not drowsy and very far offshore without a GPS been there done that. Just bring food and a energy drink and you will be fine :)

[ctrujillo]

X4 minus the at night alone for me

[vincentek9]

solo missions a lot. even on rough days. if you're going for a WSB, i wouldnt count on CDM to produce any legals for you. gotta do your research and figure out where the WSB are being caught (usually la jolla or dana point). and you gotta do a night launch. if you've never done a beach launch before... longbeach is a great place to practice.

[PE.rider]

Solo is ok, but more fun when there is a group...

[Deamon]

Solo...often. My daughter called me one night when i was alone outside. It was the day after the GWS was spotted in LJ and she's screaming "what are you doing? There's a great white in LJ. Get out of there now!"...Definitely had me looking around just a bit more after her call.
I prep much more on forecasted conditions before heading out (esp after each questionable experience :eek:).

You need to be able to get back in your yak if you roll over...esp in rough conditions (prob when it'll happen, right?)...when your rods are dangling, mixed swell, wind, cold and wet...

Hobie guys need to be able to paddle back in if mirage drive fails...

Radio...protected cell phone...GPS...keeping calm under most situations

Weigh the risk over reward and stay on the conservative side always...

[easyday]

I hoop alone at night also haven't fished at night solo yet but plan on it soon I jist make sure people know where im going and what time to expect me back by and let them know if ill be out longer which always happens for me. Im really comfortable doing stuff at night (even though the wife hates it) so that's something you have to consider, but what it really comes down to is if your comfort level.

[Old Man in the Sea]

Any Married person or if you have kids - you should buy a PLB.:iagree:
It is the best insurance money can buy if you get in trouble kayaking or hiking in the mountains. Here is the one I use...I also have radio and cell and other safety devices but this is the best. Many, many lives would have been saved
if people were rescued earlier...here is one link...


http://www.thegpsstore.com/ACR-2881-ResQLink-PLB-Floating-Personal-Locator-Beacon-P2954.aspx

Personal Locator Beacon in a Compact and Rugged Design

Small and Lightweight but mighty powerful! The ResQlink 2881 PLB (personal locator beacon) GPS enabled rescue beacon is perfect for anglers, pilots and explorers worldwide.

[easyday]

Any Married person or if you have kids - you should buy a PLB.:iagree:
It is the best insurance money can buy if you get in trouble kayaking or hiking in the mountains. Here is the one I use...I also have radio and cell and other safety devices but this is the best. Many, many lives would have been saved
if people were rescued earlier...here is one link...


http://www.thegpsstore.com/ACR-2881-ResQLink-PLB-Floating-Personal-Locator-Beacon-P2954.aspx

Personal Locator Beacon in a Compact and Rugged Design

Small and Lightweight but mighty powerful! The ResQlink 2881 PLB (personal locator beacon) GPS enabled rescue beacon is perfect for anglers, pilots and explorers worldwide.

Buddy uses this when he goes snowboarding solo up in colorado in high risk avalanche areas.

[PapaDave]

I fish solo almost all the time, must be my breath. It is actually kind of nice, no pressure to talk or fit in. I go day or night and for long days in the summer. As long as you excercise good judgement you should be fine.

[doggmann]

if you're going for a WSB, i wouldnt count on CDM to produce any legals for you.

Thanks to all for the input, I really appreciate it. I'll probably be focusing on regular bass, not WSB. I plan on having to do some work for that!

I spend plenty of time inshore in remote areas hunting and feel safe doing it. I don't push the limits and use common sense.

Looks like I'll have to add GPS and PLB to my kit. The $$$ adds up quick doesn't it?

[YakHanded]

solo missions a lot. even on rough days. if you're going for a WSB, i wouldnt count on CDM to produce any legals for you. gotta do your research and figure out where the WSB are being caught (usually la jolla or dana point). and you gotta do a night launch. if you've never done a beach launch before... longbeach is a great place to practice.


Hey! this interested me, I launch out of Newport and head south to CDM quite regularly. Among other species, the aspiration is to locate some legal WSB. I have read reports of skiffs pulling bigggg WSB 50-60#ers there... I understand that locating the ghosts is not theeasiest thing in the world and requires some luck, but what makes you say that CDM isn't the best for legal wsb?


:wsb::drool5:
Thanks!
Anthony

[Raskal311]

About a month ago a kayaker I ran into on the water spoted a large one in that area only a few hundred feet from the beach

once in a blue moon? probably

Hey! this interested me, I launch out of Newport and head south to CDM quite regularly. Among other species, the aspiration is to locate some legal WSB. I have read reports of skiffs pulling bigggg WSB 50-60#ers there... I understand that locating the ghosts is not theeasiest thing in the world and requires some luck, but what makes you say that CDM isn't the best for legal wsb?


:wsb::drool5:
Thanks!
Anthony

[TCS]

Consider water temp, distance from shore and your swimming ability. If your kayak were to sink and your phone didn't work, would you be able to swim for it?

I go alone and most of the time could handle the swim, but in winter when the water in LJ is in the 50's it would be a stretch. On those days just be a little more prudent and make sure you carry a bilge pump. Make sure the phone works and is water proof. Carry a whistle.

[YakHanded]

About a month ago a kayaker I ran into on the water spoted a large one in that area only a few hundred feet from the beach.


Roger that, good to hear. I also launch out of Dana Point (not as much) my parents live in town there. I like that short paddle out of the harbor and the bait barge really hooks you up for the price, have you heard of more wsb numbers in the kelp off the headlands/strands/creek versus somewhere like CDM?

Any and all information is appreciated, been putting in some serious time otw to locate these fish in my area, all indications are that April/May is prime time for the big :wsb: in southern cal

Thanks again!

[doggmann]

I'm not trying to sound like and idiot but.... What are the odds of actually sinking your yak? I have a Hobie Outback and unless I leave the drain open the hatches stay closed most of the time while I'm fishing.

It doesn't seem likely to me but then again I've mostly fished Newport Harbor.

[TCS]

Not very likely, but it has happened. Damage to the scupper that you don't notice, water slowly leaking in that you don't notice till its too late...

[bigbarrels]

Consider water temp, distance from shore and your swimming ability. If your kayak were to sink and your phone didn't work, would you be able to swim for it?

I go alone and most of the time could handle the swim, but in winter when the water in LJ is in the 50's it would be a stretch. On those days just be a little more prudent and make sure you carry a bilge pump. Make sure the phone works and is water proof. Carry a whistle.



x2

[bigbarrels]

Not very likely, but it has happened. Damage to the scupper that you don't notice, water slowly leaking in that you don't notice till its too late...



Yes it has. I almost sank a Hobie in the East Cape and sank a Malibu off La Jolla.....never thought it would happen:rolleyes:

[Raskal311]

I'm not trying to sound like and idiot but.... What are the odds of actually sinking your yak? I have a Hobie Outback and unless I leave the drain open the hatches stay closed most of the time while I'm fishing.

It doesn't seem likely to me but then again I've mostly fished Newport Harbor.

A buddy of mine had a small crack on his hobie two years ago and didn't notice until it was already 1/4 full of water. Good thing he was still in the harbor when he noticed it.

[Jimmyz123]

I've been fishing solo on my kayak for the last couple years in Newport Harbor and really like it. The only problem is I'd rather not eat anything from the harbor.

I've been seeing posts from other members catching WSB among other things out on open water in some of the local kelp beds. The idea of spending a day on the open water with the potential of putting a few bass in my fridge is really appealing. I plan on checking out the only place I've heard anything about (Corona Del Mar) since I'd be able to get there relatively easy and I'm familiar with NPH.

I've never fished open water and plan on doing it on good weather days and with a friend. Does anyone go out solo? Is it a bad idea?

I'm sure there are some things I'm just not aware of asking so please feel free to add your 2 cents.

I have a lot of solo fishing trips because a lot of the times it's a last minute trip. Like My wife will say, why don't you take the Kayak out and do some fishing. I don't ask why, I just go. I do prefer La Jolla trips and big water paddles with a partner but I don't let that hold me back. One thing I have noticed is when Launching in commonly used areas, you're never alone. I've seen so many fellow BWE people out at the launches, on the water, and so on. I always try and keep an eye out for others in the even they get in trouble or anything. Keep a good radio on you, a cell phone protected from the water, and have the numbers programmed in your phone.

[doggmann]

A friend of mine finally got a kayak and I realized if I waited for our schedules to click, I'd be lucky to get out once a month. I'd like to thank you all for all the input, I really appreciate it.

So its just like anything else. Check and double check your equipment. Bring "just in case" gear (radio, cell, PLB etc.) and even then $h!t happens but if you planned for the worst you should be okay.

I'm self employed so my schedule is all over the place. I'd like to get out with an experienced guy/gal to help with my learning curve.

[raffman55]

I felt my prowler getting harder to paddle, checked the hatch, only to find 4-5 inches of water in the hull. A friend I was with had a bilge pump, I did not. I was 2 miles off shore from LJ at the time. I learned my lesson. I have since made many solo trips, but now I make sure I have all the safety gear:Phone, rope, bilge pump, mirror/reflector, lights, energy bars/snacks/water, first-aid kit. Just be safe. You learn an awful lot about yourself fishing solo.

[maui jim]

I have owned a PLB for years for hunting and boating/kayak'n,
Never have deployed it but it's peace of mind is pricless, but I have just sent it in for battery service and check up. :cool:
The units now are much smaller and less expensive than before, well worth the investment.
Along with a good life insurance policy which makes the wife happy.:D