anyone we know? - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

PAL · 08-09-2007, 01:39 PM

What an ordeal. I think many of us wouldn't have survived a night in the ocean, particularly only in shorts.

I'm anxious to hear the rest of the details. They are so sketchy now, almost all of it is supposition.

I won't leave the beach without a hand pump - those things move a tremendous volume of water - but even those can fail. I'd taken on several gallons on a really ratty day one time. I'd pumped out about half when the pump handle and metal piston pulled right out of the cylinder. Not good. Having a buddy nearby to bail you out? Good!

FISHIONADO · 08-09-2007, 02:23 PM

I didn't always wear my PFD. Last August I was fishing by myself near Blacks, I started feeling really tired, then blacked out briefly and flipped and fell into the water. Fortunately the water woke me up and I was able to get back on my kayak and gather all my stuff. I felt weak paddling back to the launch but by the next day I felt 100%. I figured I had some kind of virus the previous day but I started wearing my PFD constantly after that. I had another dizzy spell in September with heartburn. Had it checked out and ended up getting quad bypass heart surgery. I was in the best shape of my life, riding a bicycle 200 miles per week, surfing, kayaking, etc. I'm not preaching but I wear that PFD all the time now.

Rode 85 miles this past Sunday, from Solana Beach through Del Dios, Escondido, Valley Center, Bonsall, Fallbrook, Oceanside, etc. Thats pretty good for less than 12 months after quad bypass, huh? If you see us riding on Sunday's give us a friendly honk, we have red jerseys with Qualcomm printed all over them.

SAR · 08-09-2007, 02:46 PM

I always wear a PFD for exactly the unlikely scenario that fishinado described. Had he not come around in the water he could have had a buddy 30 yards away and he would have been under and gone before the buddy could have paddled to him. I also do everything that lamb described (right on Adi

) Having spent 11 years in search and rescue I've seen many bad endings that could have ended up as just good stories if only for one little, usually obvious thing (like wearing a PFD) that the person didn't do. 99.9% of the time things are great but when it goes to hell it goes quick. It's the ocean and we need to respect it and always be safe. See you all out there (bring fish)!!!

Joe

Handymansd · 08-09-2007, 03:01 PM

This is a great reminder for me. I usually leave my PFD sitting in the front area of my yak. I could have been hard pressed to get it on, never mind the scenario like Dave described. well it will be on 100% of the time from now on. I have a little survival pack that is in a dry pouch that I throw inside my yak and I have a hand bilge pump for my internal tank. I have my VHF attached to my PDF and now my phone in the dry pouch will go on me too!

I am happy that this event did not end differently, and kudos to whoever this was for the effort it must have taken to swim in! He probably saved his own skin!

Kiyo · 08-09-2007, 03:17 PM

Stuff a bunch of Fun Noodles inside your kayak for floatation. I believe I have around 12 of them in there. Most of them are in the back area inside the kayak.

dgax65 · 08-10-2007, 12:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kiyo

Stuff a bunch of Fun Noodles inside your kayak for floatation. I believe I have around 12 of them in there. Most of them are in the back area inside the kayak.

Some of the folks on the Australian Kayak Fishing Forum did an experiment with pool noodles to see if they could keep a kayak afloat.

http://www.akff.net/forum/viewtopic....st=0&sk=t&sd=a

They got some interesting results. Adding pool noodles might keep your yak near the surface, but not enough to paddle. It is still a good idea, when used in conjunction with a VHF MB radio or other signaling devices. Floating next to a partially submerged kayak is better than nothing. You will have something to hold on to that can provide some flotation and it will make you more visible. The key is to wear your PFD and to have some means to attract attention.

I used to have several inflatable fenders inside of both my Drifter and Prowler. I might try doing the same on my X-Factor. You lose some internal storage space, but it will keep your fully flooded yak from sinking completely.

ratdog · 08-10-2007, 08:16 AM

This morning on KUSI News, they said the guys name was Clyde Walker. I'm sure glad he's OK.

Edit: update name to Clyde Bolter

08-09-2007, 03:01 PM	#4
Handymansd Ancient Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: On The Water Posts: 935	This is a great reminder for me. I usually leave my PFD sitting in the front area of my yak. I could have been hard pressed to get it on, never mind the scenario like Dave described. well it will be on 100% of the time from now on. I have a little survival pack that is in a dry pouch that I throw inside my yak and I have a hand bilge pump for my internal tank. I have my VHF attached to my PDF and now my phone in the dry pouch will go on me too! I am happy that this event did not end differently, and kudos to whoever this was for the effort it must have taken to swim in! He probably saved his own skin! __________________ All men are equal before fish. -Herbert Hoover

08-10-2007, 08:16 AM	#7
ratdog Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 424	This morning on KUSI News, they said the guys name was Clyde Walker. I'm sure glad he's OK. Edit: update name to Clyde Bolter Last edited by ratdog; 08-10-2007 at 09:13 PM.

08-09-2007, 01:39 PM	#1
PAL Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 754	What an ordeal. I think many of us wouldn't have survived a night in the ocean, particularly only in shorts. I'm anxious to hear the rest of the details. They are so sketchy now, almost all of it is supposition. I won't leave the beach without a hand pump - those things move a tremendous volume of water - but even those can fail. I'd taken on several gallons on a really ratty day one time. I'd pumped out about half when the pump handle and metal piston pulled right out of the cylinder. Not good. Having a buddy nearby to bail you out? Good!

08-09-2007, 02:23 PM	#2
FISHIONADO Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 698	I didn't always wear my PFD. Last August I was fishing by myself near Blacks, I started feeling really tired, then blacked out briefly and flipped and fell into the water. Fortunately the water woke me up and I was able to get back on my kayak and gather all my stuff. I felt weak paddling back to the launch but by the next day I felt 100%. I figured I had some kind of virus the previous day but I started wearing my PFD constantly after that. I had another dizzy spell in September with heartburn. Had it checked out and ended up getting quad bypass heart surgery. I was in the best shape of my life, riding a bicycle 200 miles per week, surfing, kayaking, etc. I'm not preaching but I wear that PFD all the time now. Rode 85 miles this past Sunday, from Solana Beach through Del Dios, Escondido, Valley Center, Bonsall, Fallbrook, Oceanside, etc. Thats pretty good for less than 12 months after quad bypass, huh? If you see us riding on Sunday's give us a friendly honk, we have red jerseys with Qualcomm printed all over them.

08-09-2007, 02:46 PM	#3
SAR Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Lakeside Posts: 16	I always wear a PFD for exactly the unlikely scenario that fishinado described. Had he not come around in the water he could have had a buddy 30 yards away and he would have been under and gone before the buddy could have paddled to him. I also do everything that lamb described (right on Adi ) Having spent 11 years in search and rescue I've seen many bad endings that could have ended up as just good stories if only for one little, usually obvious thing (like wearing a PFD) that the person didn't do. 99.9% of the time things are great but when it goes to hell it goes quick. It's the ocean and we need to respect it and always be safe. See you all out there (bring fish)!!! Joe

08-09-2007, 03:17 PM	#5
Kiyo Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Anaheim Posts: 122	Stuff a bunch of Fun Noodles inside your kayak for floatation. I believe I have around 12 of them in there. Most of them are in the back area inside the kayak.