Landing a Hobie Pedal Kayak - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Hye · 03-28-2016, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geno Machino

I'm far from an expert, however after talking to some of the more experienced yakers here on BWE, I peddle to just outside the break line, clip my drive into the upright position, pull up my rudder, look back and try and time the sets. Start paddling as hard and fast as I can. If I get lucky, I cruse all the way to ankle deep water, if not I sometimes have to jump off and ride the yak in from the back. The main thing I try to do is stay perpendicular to the beach.

And when launching, I have found what works for me is I just paddle as hard and as fast as I can until I am outside. Staying perpendicular is my main objective also, when launching. Trying to peddle or dropping my rudder, I usually get sideways and I have to paddle anyways to get straight again or flip.

I think the more experience guys on here could chime in and give us there tried and proven techniques...

Geno

I agree to this. Just to add a few things. When beaching wait for the last wave in the set and paddle hard as soon as it's passing you. This will help pick up momentum. Also while beaching always keep looking for a wave that might sneak up on you. If you see something developing that you can paddle in reverse and get back over it before it crests, do it. If you are sure you won't make it in time before it crests paddle hard forward in hopes the wave loses energy after it crashes and before it catches up to you. In my experiences beaching is harder than launching. Also, jumping out of kayak in waist high water is hard to run in. Getting hit by a wave after jumping out in water to deep sucks.
I have spent days with no gear on my outback. Just me, a wet suit, life jacket and paddle and hung out in the "kill zone". This I believe is very important in understanding what your kayak can do. I put myself in worst possible situations to see if I could ever recove from that. Found out you really can't recover from a 5' wave when it swallows you. Lol. But I also saw it didn't hurt as long as I was aware of kayak position and protected my head. Playing in the surf without gear has gave me great confidence. A few good surf launch and beaching vids on YouTube. One off the top of my head is "kayak fishing tales".

I have my drive leashed and removed before beaching and launching. Don't want to damage on rocks. 🍻

Murray · 03-28-2016, 05:48 PM

Great info guys. Practicing and building confidence makes a lot of sense. Thanks for all the great suggestions. Will test them all asap. Now if the water will just get past 60 degrees. Ha!

Harry Hill · 03-28-2016, 07:22 PM

the biggest reason I haven't fished La Jolla yet is my knees. I had them both replaced in the last year and they don't work good yet. So even when I land in Mission Bay or Newport I have a hard time getting my feet under me. It's getting better but if I had to jump out in surf I would get pounded and knocked down. I'll be glad then they are working again. I hate missing out on this great fishing.

Murray · 03-28-2016, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harry Hill

the biggest reason I haven't fished La Jolla yet is my knees. I had them both replaced in the last year and they don't work good yet. So even when I land in Mission Bay or Newport I have a hard time getting my feet under me. It's getting better but if I had to jump out in surf I would get pounded and knocked down. I'll be glad then they are working again. I hate missing out on this great fishing.

Take your time and get strong. The fish will be there when you regain your strength. I have an ab issue and it gets aggravated on every trip. Nothing like what you are dealing with though. I am sure your body will let you know when it is time to hit the surf.

PapaDave · 03-29-2016, 07:00 AM

I tend to kamikaze it in, that is I peddle as fast as I can, lock the drive in the up position as it gets shallow, coast in and jump out closer to the sand, if necessary, sometimes you can just glide on in.

WARRIORMIKE · 03-29-2016, 07:40 AM

I use the paddles to launch and land. Its comfortable to me. I've tried it both ways. When I used the mirage drive I bent the rods because I didn't lock them up far enough. Paddles seem to be the best for me. Again its what your comfortable with . When I do land and launch I make sure the skeg and the rudder are up. Once I get past the breakers I will engage it all. When landing again, I make sure everything is up. Take out the mirage drive prior. I use carabiner clips to make sure they are locked and come in with the paddles.

deltadelta · 03-29-2016, 02:00 PM

I'm definitely no expert, but what I do is unlock the rudder (to where I can still guide it, but if it hits the sand it will rise up and not break), I time the set, peddle as fast as I can get, quickly pull up the mirage drive, and then paddle in the rest of the way with the momentum I've created.

03-29-2016, 07:00 AM	#5
PapaDave Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Menifee, CA Posts: 1,475	I tend to kamikaze it in, that is I peddle as fast as I can, lock the drive in the up position as it gets shallow, coast in and jump out closer to the sand, if necessary, sometimes you can just glide on in. __________________ So long and thanks for all the fish...

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03-28-2016, 05:48 PM	#2
Murray Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Vista Posts: 326	Great info guys. Practicing and building confidence makes a lot of sense. Thanks for all the great suggestions. Will test them all asap. Now if the water will just get past 60 degrees. Ha!

03-28-2016, 07:22 PM	#3
Harry Hill Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Yucaipa, CA Posts: 1,136	the biggest reason I haven't fished La Jolla yet is my knees. I had them both replaced in the last year and they don't work good yet. So even when I land in Mission Bay or Newport I have a hard time getting my feet under me. It's getting better but if I had to jump out in surf I would get pounded and knocked down. I'll be glad then they are working again. I hate missing out on this great fishing.

03-29-2016, 07:40 AM	#6
WARRIORMIKE Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 303	I use the paddles to launch and land. Its comfortable to me. I've tried it both ways. When I used the mirage drive I bent the rods because I didn't lock them up far enough. Paddles seem to be the best for me. Again its what your comfortable with . When I do land and launch I make sure the skeg and the rudder are up. Once I get past the breakers I will engage it all. When landing again, I make sure everything is up. Take out the mirage drive prior. I use carabiner clips to make sure they are locked and come in with the paddles.

03-29-2016, 02:00 PM	#7
deltadelta Junior Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: University City Posts: 28	I'm definitely no expert, but what I do is unlock the rudder (to where I can still guide it, but if it hits the sand it will rise up and not break), I time the set, peddle as fast as I can get, quickly pull up the mirage drive, and then paddle in the rest of the way with the momentum I've created.