Launching........ - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

TCS · 06-09-2014, 07:09 AM

As stated above, the key at La Jolla is the interval. A 3 foot swell with an 8 second interaval will break chest high (chest high on a surfer, overhead on a kayaker) at the launch. A 3 foot swell with a 14 second interval and the a launch is like a lake.

This time of year its important to not just look at the forecast model because it often misses the windswell. Look at the CDIP forecast or the torrey pines bouy to see the actual interval before you drive down.

I would also suggest you go out without your fishing gear on a day that there is some surf and practice. Unless you have a PA, which is really a boat and not a kayak, you should be able to handle waist high surf pretty easily.

Charge it on the way out and keep the kayak facing directly into the waves. On the way back in try and stay on the backs of the waves. If a wave is catching up with you don't surf it. Instead, put your feet in the water and back paddle so the wave goes under you then paddle as far as you can before the next one catches up with you, then back paddle again.

Next time your shopping for a kayak, talk to Andy about which models handle surf the best so that you have more days you can fish. I like the adventure for this reason.

Dannowar · 06-09-2014, 07:12 AM

Didn't mean to come across like a dick...thought the thread was about which was scarier in a macho kind of way. All in good fun.

Deamon · 06-09-2014, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dannowar

Didn't mean to come across like a dick...thought the thread was about which was scarier in a macho kind of way. All in good fun.

As Jeff Spicoli once told his teacher (Mr. Hand?) in an old movie..."you dick!" Bahahahahaha!!!

Dannowar · 06-09-2014, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deamon

As Jeff Spicoli once told his teacher (Mr. Hand?) in an old movie..."you dick!" Bahahahahaha!!!

THATS THE NAME THEY GAVE ME

yaksailor · 06-09-2014, 08:29 PM

Everything else being equal; swell, period, tide height and direction...County Line has a much higher pucker factor.

CL is a steep, fast and peaky break. It's hard to tell where the next random peak will come up, and when it does, it's fast. The shore is uneven in depth. Wait until you can see the bottom before you get out. A premature dismount can put you into the deep end. Besides that, when you land, you have to slalom through a dozen short-boarders who are eager for entertainment between sets. The sound of surfers whooping it up at landing time = adrenaline landing.

La Jolla, IMO, is a shallow, slow, organized break. The shore is fairly even in depth. The waves peel off like an escalator at Macy's. Sometimes you can walk out for yards and still be in knee-deep water. If you're patient, you can time it with confidence.

StinkyMatt · 06-09-2014, 09:59 PM

The guy above said it perfectly.

ceruleandrms · 06-09-2014, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TCS

As stated above, the key at La Jolla is the interval. A 3 foot swell with an 8 second interaval will break chest high (chest high on a surfer, overhead on a kayaker) at the launch. A 3 foot swell with a 14 second interval and the a launch is like a lake.

This time of year its important to not just look at the forecast model because it often misses the windswell. Look at the CDIP forecast or the torrey pines bouy to see the actual interval before you drive down.

I would also suggest you go out without your fishing gear on a day that there is some surf and practice. Unless you have a PA, which is really a boat and not a kayak, you should be able to handle waist high surf pretty easily.

Charge it on the way out and keep the kayak facing directly into the waves. On the way back in try and stay on the backs of the waves. If a wave is catching up with you don't surf it. Instead, put your feet in the water and back paddle so the wave goes under you then paddle as far as you can before the next one catches up with you, then back paddle again.

Next time your shopping for a kayak, talk to Andy about which models handle surf the best so that you have more days you can fish. I like the adventure for this reason.

Thank you for the good advice. Appreciate it very much

addicted2sp33d · 06-09-2014, 11:15 AM

Get out and try it - there will always be days where La Jolla is not-so-bueno for noobs, and there are other days when County Line is not-so-bueno for noobs.

The trick is not to figure out which beach is better for noobs... the trick is to get some experience and not be a noob.

Just make sure everything is stored below decks and everything is leashed.

If you're worried about losing stuff, then get out there and practice without any gear. It'll be worth it.

ceruleandrms · 06-09-2014, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by addicted2sp33d

Get out and try it - there will always be days where La Jolla is not-so-bueno for noobs, and there are other days when County Line is not-so-bueno for noobs.

The trick is not to figure out which beach is better for noobs... the trick is to get some experience and not be a noob.

Just make sure everything is stored below decks and everything is leashed.

If you're worried about losing stuff, then get out there and practice without any gear. It'll be worth it.

Sounds good. Thank you.

Widgeon · 06-17-2014, 09:53 PM

I have less than a dozen surf launches under my belt.
I believe 2 were at LJ shores and in my experience it is BY FAR the easiest launch/ landing. Very sheltered.
My go to spot ( though I've been out of the game for a couple years) is near Big Rock, just south of Windansea. Good place to avoid the crowds, but a little more work.
This summer I am hoping to launch somewhere off of OB or Point Loma and fish that kelp.
You just have to time it right and hope for the best.
I have had one major yard sale. It comes with the territory. Just make sure your things are tied to the boat and don't F- around.

06-09-2014, 07:09 AM	#1
TCS Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 478	As stated above, the key at La Jolla is the interval. A 3 foot swell with an 8 second interaval will break chest high (chest high on a surfer, overhead on a kayaker) at the launch. A 3 foot swell with a 14 second interval and the a launch is like a lake. This time of year its important to not just look at the forecast model because it often misses the windswell. Look at the CDIP forecast or the torrey pines bouy to see the actual interval before you drive down. I would also suggest you go out without your fishing gear on a day that there is some surf and practice. Unless you have a PA, which is really a boat and not a kayak, you should be able to handle waist high surf pretty easily. Charge it on the way out and keep the kayak facing directly into the waves. On the way back in try and stay on the backs of the waves. If a wave is catching up with you don't surf it. Instead, put your feet in the water and back paddle so the wave goes under you then paddle as far as you can before the next one catches up with you, then back paddle again. Next time your shopping for a kayak, talk to Andy about which models handle surf the best so that you have more days you can fish. I like the adventure for this reason. Last edited by TCS; 06-09-2014 at 07:48 AM.

06-09-2014, 07:12 AM	#2
Dannowar Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 1,823	Didn't mean to come across like a dick...thought the thread was about which was scarier in a macho kind of way. All in good fun. __________________ "Beware the lollipop of mediocrity; lick it once and you’ll suck forever." — Brian Wilson

06-09-2014, 08:29 PM	#5
yaksailor Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 66	Everything else being equal; swell, period, tide height and direction...County Line has a much higher pucker factor. CL is a steep, fast and peaky break. It's hard to tell where the next random peak will come up, and when it does, it's fast. The shore is uneven in depth. Wait until you can see the bottom before you get out. A premature dismount can put you into the deep end. Besides that, when you land, you have to slalom through a dozen short-boarders who are eager for entertainment between sets. The sound of surfers whooping it up at landing time = adrenaline landing. La Jolla, IMO, is a shallow, slow, organized break. The shore is fairly even in depth. The waves peel off like an escalator at Macy's. Sometimes you can walk out for yards and still be in knee-deep water. If you're patient, you can time it with confidence. Last edited by yaksailor; 06-09-2014 at 09:16 PM.

06-09-2014, 09:59 PM	#6
StinkyMatt Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Under a bridge Posts: 2,169	The guy above said it perfectly.

06-09-2014, 11:15 AM	#8
addicted2sp33d Here fishy fishy fishy... Join Date: May 2011 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 774	Get out and try it - there will always be days where La Jolla is not-so-bueno for noobs, and there are other days when County Line is not-so-bueno for noobs. The trick is not to figure out which beach is better for noobs... the trick is to get some experience and not be a noob. Just make sure everything is stored below decks and everything is leashed. If you're worried about losing stuff, then get out there and practice without any gear. It'll be worth it.

06-17-2014, 09:53 PM	#10
Widgeon Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Clairemont Posts: 175	I have less than a dozen surf launches under my belt. I believe 2 were at LJ shores and in my experience it is BY FAR the easiest launch/ landing. Very sheltered. My go to spot ( though I've been out of the game for a couple years) is near Big Rock, just south of Windansea. Good place to avoid the crowds, but a little more work. This summer I am hoping to launch somewhere off of OB or Point Loma and fish that kelp. You just have to time it right and hope for the best. I have had one major yard sale. It comes with the territory. Just make sure your things are tied to the boat and don't F- around.