Birthday Voyage from Two Harbors to Avalon

[JoeBeck]

Figured since I have been on here the last few weeks checking updates on the MLPA I'd post a report. And hell might as well make it a long one :cheers1:

Catalina is a special place to us and we have wanted to make this kayak voyage for quite some time. What better time to do it than over my long birthday weekend The idea was to take a ferry to two harbors and kayak to Avalon in 4 days 3 nights fishing and enjoying the spectacular views the entire way. This trip would prove to be another great Beckerley adventure and show that safety doesn't happen by accident.

The 1st day we boarded the Marina Del Ray Ferry arriving in Two Harbors at around 11:00am launching our kayaks just after noon.

On our way to two harbors
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Loaded up and ready to launch
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We would paddle from from Isthmus cove just past Rippers Cove to a small beach camp called Paradise, this is where we would spend our 1st two nights.

We concentrated our fishing to Rock Query, Yellowtail point, and Rippers Cove all well know spots between isthmus and our camp site. Relatively it was a pretty slow day with yellowtail point producing the most. All and all only small calico were caught but there were only slight winds and it turned out to be a nice paddle while fishing the whole way to camp although I was surprised we didn't get any nicer sized calico since these areas have been productive for us in the past.

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One of Shiloh's fish
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On our way we ran into a group of inexperienced kayakers who turned over, were exhausted and did not know where their camp was. Lucky for them they were close. We pulled out our 1st safety item, a map of catalina and guided them to their location. They rented their yaks, you would think they would require individuals to carry a map when renting a kayak to take out boat camping.

Our camp
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The second day we fished a couple small points and kelp beds in front or our camp, rippers beach and a little south. Not much changed from the previous day, slow, small calico bass but beautiful weather and great beer :D

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Found some great pale ale in a can at BevMo from Colorado, it says pack it in pack it out. The can's wouldn't be the only thing we would be packing out this trip :cool:
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Oh yes and almost forgot we got to eat a couple sand bass tacos
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At some point we decided to check out Lava Beach another boat in camp site which I would recommend over paradise reason being Lava has a table which is nice.

When Shiloh was exiting this beach a surge of wakes came and pushed her kayak and herself back into the shore before she entered back safely. We thought nothing of it at the time although I believe this would prove to change the itinerary of our entire trip.
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Me contemplating by the fire how I can spend my entire life in the outdoors not getting caught up in the daily grind of life. Birthdays sometimes make you think :)
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Day 3: We would paddle from Paradise to Italian gardens close to long point and whites landing two spots I have never fished but heard were some of the best fishing grounds on this side of the island. Long point has a shelf that drops off producing a good spot for Yellowtail, WSB, and Large Calico. Whites Landing had reports of a good Halibut bite all week. I was really looking forward to fishing these areas so we decided to wake up early and troll rapalas all the way to our new camp unload and then fish there all day.

On the way Shiloh reported to me that her kayak felt heavy, tipsy and had more water on the deck than usual. All a bad sign that the inside of the yak is filled up with water. I paddled over and opened it up, I was correct there was water in the kayak. Safety item 2 used for the trip and for the 1st time ever was a hand held bilge pump. We worked together to clear the water out, without it it would have been difficult to clear the water especially with camping gear in there.

We got to camp unloaded, looked at the kayak and I could not find a hole. We decided to still go out fishing staying close to shore and close to our camp. This spot was a little more productive although the fish were still small.

A bonita I hooked which was cool because we got a picture of the cast too
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Me trying to find where all the fish are hiding while Shiloh took a break from the sun
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As we fished we did monitor Shiloh's kayak and had to pump water out about every hour or so. It was in the evening when we decided to go out and fish a little more. We were out about a 1/2 hour no more than a couple hundred yards, safe swimming distance from our camp when Shiloh caught the last fish of the trip and after checking the kayak to see it full once again it was time to land and find the hole although it didn't take long this time because when we were dragging the kayak onto shore I could see the water pouring out the back, there was the hole, at the very back of the boat.

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The plan now was to camp the night, drink hot totties and enjoy the fire until our friend Jameson was gone, wake up and call in for an evacuation. Morning came and getting help couldn't be more simple with the appropriate safety equipment. I hailed for harbor patrol on my VHF Radio (cell had no reception) channel 12 with no luck, turned to channel 16 and asked if anyone could hear me located on the frontside of Catalina. Tow assist heard my call in Dana Point, asked the color of our kayaks, asked if I had a GPS which I did and gave him my exact location, told him the situation and that we were on shore safe. He relayed the info to Avalon harbor patrol who had a boat out to get us within 15 minutes, loaded our kayaks and gear and gave us a boat ride to Avalon dropping us off right at the ferry station. They shook my hand and praised me for being so prepared for an emergency and me thanking them for their help.

We spent the day at Avalon taking the opportunity to ready our gear for the ferry ride, clean up in their public showers and enjoy the extra time we now had in Avalon.

The hole in the kayak
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Fun in Avalon back safe
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So we made it half way and will have to return soon to finish the trip with Shiloh on a new yak. We did not have a chance to fish the area I was most excited about so until then I will look forward to the day I fish long point and whites landing.
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[Bryantfish]

Great post! that looks like soo much fun! I have to do that this summer!:you_rock::cheers1:

[bellcon]

:cheers1::cheers1:
You have some of the reports of all time!
Lucky man!

[MalibuJohnny]

What a great trip! I have only dreamed about my wife taking a yak trip like that!

Maybe next year!

Thanks for sharing!

[DESTROYER]

Nice Post! It's awesome there! Great shirt in the Pacifico Picture:cheers1:

Moyer

[nabeeko]

That's a great looking trip. Looks like you two had a great time.
Thanks for sharing!

[Rik]

:luxhello: Wow, nice report Joe!! Very cool!

:cheers1:
Rik

[tylerdurden]

Cool report.

Also 5200 and duct tape would have fixed that hole overnight. If you need to you can use some small beach pebbles even for filler if the crack is too big. 5200, the faster curing one, saved a fishing adventures for one trip I was on.

[JD]

I always thought you couldn't bring Kayaks on the ferry/express boats to catalina. I am very pleased to hear that I may have been mis-lead, sounds like an ideal way to fish / Camp Catalina.

Does anyone have information on shuttle to Catalina from San Diego, and is the transport of Kayaks permitted?

Thanks,

JD

[Holy Mackerel]

You guys have nice adventures! :) Thanks for sharing!

chris

[Grego]

wow, that is a nice looking trip. I think I'll do that sometime. Glad to see you were prepared...something for everyone to learn from.

Question: Where do you get the wood to burn? pack it in? get it dropped off? surrounding foilage?

[yakrider]

now that is a report!!!!
what a cool trip!!!!

[JoeBeck]

Tylerdurde: thanks for the tip I was thinking I needed to add marine goop to the emergency kayak supplies bag. Have duct tape in the medical bag.

Grego: No wood gathering on the island of catalina, although they do have a lot of wood around. I bring a small cake pan and grill that fits under the hatch, works great as a portable BBQ and small portable fire pit. Easy to clean up the next day.

[tptrench]

That is one of the coolest posts I've ever read!!

[Bryantfish]

and it was your b-day what a great b-day trip! to be out there with your lady, fishing,camping oh man great times!

[Fiskadoro]

Great report, with great pics!

Just curious how does the permit process work for beach camping?

Jim

[PAL]

You can always depend on the Beckerleys for great, vicarious adventures. Looked like a wonderful time, kept that way due to your thorough preparation.

Ah Catalina. Have you thought about circling the west end, Two Harbors to Parson and a long haul around the back side to Two Harbors again provided the weather is decent?

[ericko]

Awsome report does your wife have a sister as good looking as her that likes to fish..She is the best catch

TRIP with with female "PRICELESS"

ok enough about her were can i get the beach pass and what was the the cost to get everything over to the island

thanks

[JoeBeck]

Jim, you can make them online or call. Also Marina Del Rey is the only ferry I know of that will take a kayak. You can rent them in Two Harbors for a good price which I have done during past trips. For trips like this though it's nice to have your own.
http://www.visitcatalinaisland.com/twoHarbors/camp_boatIn.php

Paul, we were talking about that when we were out there this weekend. I've heard the west end is a fun spot to fish.

Now what do I do with a kayak that has a hole in it?

[steveooo]

Awesome report Joe! Made me feel like I was there with you:cheers1:

[Podaker]

wow!!!

I had no idea there was areas to camp/fish up and down the island.

They say "you learn something every day". so I guess I can cross this one off the list for 5-26-09, and put it on my to-do list!

thanks for the detailed report.

[travelin_lite]

Thanks for the report and happy birthday.
I have wanted to find some people to do that trip with for a long time now but haven't found any takers yet. Looks like a lot of fun.

[Donfish]

High temp Hotglue and a lighter same as used for rod tips might be a good addition to the survivial pack.:captain: Sets instantly and can be gooped on to patch rock rash.:)
Great report glad everything worked out :you_rock:
The Rock Q is one of my favorite places.:reel:

[Slay Rider]

one lucky man

[ericko]

Thanks for the info now just need people to go

[kareem korn]

I saw you launching there at Two harbors. Looks like a trip I'd like to take with my son.

[undrH2Ohntr]

That is one of the coolest reports I have seen on here in a while, cool trip. Even cooler that your GF or wife would do it along with you. I have managed to get my wife to backpack the high Sierras and trout fish but kayaking and water is a different story.
Nice job.

[joyjiggin']

I had no idea that there were that many areas to kayak fish in Catalina! Sounds like you had a fantastic time. I want to go, too!! Eric????

[ericko]

joyjiggin lets set some thing up see how many people we can get 2 go ..Need time to get thing together maybe 1 month from this weekend

[metalbob]

thats so cool that your Old Lady fishes with you and enjoys the outdoors.
I hope when my Old Lady gets here i can give her good experiences on the kayak and she'll love it as much as your Wife.

your a lucky Man Joe.

you definetly got a Keeper:reel:

Great report too!

METALBOB

[cajunman]

Joe,
A small propane torch and a bit of plastic left over from cutting hatch openings will fix the holes like new. I've sucessfully repaired my FnD a few times. The torch and plastic are always in my gear

[landwhale]

What a great way to see the Island camping and taking your time to enjoy the enviroment.


The hole is repairable, if you check I know OEX in Sunset repairs those kind of holes and a torch and left over plastic will make it water tight again

[slayersmith]

Awsome post! Lucky!!!!!!!!!!!!

Take it easy!

Aaron

[THE DARKHORSE]

And you're the luckiest guy in the world to find a women like that. To say I'm jeolous of the adventures you two have would be a huge understatement...what I would do to find a women like that. I had to start guiding so my girl would quit nagging me when I fish, it's helped a little, but she still scares the sh>> out of me :D.

[cajunman]

joe,
check your pm please 4 ??

[yaker81]

Nice pics, thanks for the report...

[fishpatrol]

aweasome report , you gave out to many secrets:you_rock: going to be there in august , wondering how it will be ? that was a epic sounded trip. Your the guy,!!!!