Ocean kayaking tips - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

isghj · 09-25-2016, 09:52 PM

If you haven't been seasick before in your life, do not assume you won't get seasick on a kayak in the ocean.

I had never experienced seasickness until going out on a kayak to the kelp beds on one particular bad swell day and it was debilitating. It took 5 trips without seasickness for my brain to stop associating the smell of seaweed with being sick. I take seasickness medication every time now, just as a precaution (and because I bought the 100 pill bottle on amazon because it was cheaper than the 12 pill case from local stores...) but I strongly recommend you find some instant seasickness medicine you can take out there with you, and always check the swell forecast. Personally, short swell period is worse than swell height for me, I generally avoid days where the primary swell is <10 seconds unless it's <2 ft as well.

Bringing antacids and painkillers are a good idea too, extra water and food, you'll be half an hour minimum from your car at all times, tissues, don't go out with contacts without spare glasses in case a wave washes them out.

Leash everything, if you're fishing with big bait, expect big "fish"; keep the deck clear and keep anything that isn't leashed stowed, in case you hook into a shark and forget to reduce the drag before engaging the reel and find out your 'yellowtail' is a shark/BSB and pulls you out of your kayak and you lose everything and have to replace all your fishing gear because the boat hull wasn't latched and your rods weren't leashed. (don't be an idiot like me)

Street sweeping every Thursday at La Jolla, alternate streets though. If you want to play in the surf, I would suggest a beach with more surf normally.

The salt and sun destroy everything, don't take anything you can't replace or wasn't made to be used in saltwater, and wash everything regardless after every trip.

MITCHELL · 09-26-2016, 03:36 AM

And tie all your gear in with a leash...as soon as you don't it's gone...probably easier now with the newe're kayaks I cover my graph with a plastic bag and electric tape and take it off if its rough coming in...increase your range with time...practice with no gear in surf launching and landing don't leash your paddle in till your passed surfline out and in make sure your holding your paddle the right side up....experience is the best teacher unless you got money to higher a guide best if you go with a partner take a compass in case fog bank comes in.I have spent hours padding north in 50 ft of water in the fog in la jolla one time I was in 20ft of water in surfline and still could not see land before I had a gps map in my fish finder .I'm sure you no all the safety gear to bring last but no least I bring swim fins worst scenario for me I'll swim in.....

MITCHELL · 09-26-2016, 03:43 AM

You will develop your own style and find your likes and dislikes....

Dannowar · 09-26-2016, 04:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MITCHELL

And tie all your gear in with a lease....as soon as you don't it's gone...probably easier now with the newe're kayaks I cover my graph with a plastic bag and electric tape and take it off if its rough coming in...increase your range with time...practice with no gear in surf launching and landing don't lease your paddle in till your passed surf out and in make sure your holding your paddle the right side up....experience is the best teacher unless you got money to higher a guide best if you go with a partner take a compass in case fog bank comes in.I have spent hours padding north in 50 ft of water in the fog in la jolla one time I was in 20ft of water in surfline and still could not see land before I had a gps map in my fish finder .I'm sure you no all the safety gear to bring last but no least I bring swim fins worst scenario for me I'll swim in.....

Lol. Wut?

MITCHELL · 09-26-2016, 05:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dannowar

Lol. Wut?

It will come with time...meaning experience.....lol

straightrod · 09-26-2016, 08:12 AM

That's it post about fins - swimming in and scare the guy to death.

Mr_Fixit · 09-26-2016, 08:24 AM

These guys really nailed it. Specific questions would help. Given that, there are some things you really should have:

Protective clothing, including your face and feet:
Feet: (My preference, but you asked) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Shirt: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Head: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Hands: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Face: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Legs: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

You should also have a flag/light for safety. Something similar to this is good: http://www.kayakfishinggear.com/prod...d-mighty-mount

As mentioned before, LEASH your rods! Yeah, they DO tend to jump out of your kayak at the most inopportune times! https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Protect your phone! https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

A small medical kit, food, water, radio (waterproof, marine)... Safety first man. ALWAYS wear your PFD also. Get one with pockets to store your multi-tool and radio. Always keep your tool and radio on you. Rogue wave, or perhaps you get too close to a reef or something, but the wave could knock you out of your boat.

octico · 09-26-2016, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MITCHELL

And tie all your gear in with a leash...as soon as you don't it's gone...probably easier now with the newe're kayaks I cover my graph with a plastic bag and electric tape and take it off if its rough coming in...increase your range with time...practice with no gear in surf launching and landing don't leash your paddle in till your passed surfline out and in make sure your holding your paddle the right side up....experience is the best teacher unless you got money to higher a guide best if you go with a partner take a compass in case fog bank comes in.I have spent hours padding north in 50 ft of water in the fog in la jolla one time I was in 20ft of water in surfline and still could not see land before I had a gps map in my fish finder .I'm sure you no all the safety gear to bring last but no least I bring swim fins worst scenario for me I'll swim in.....

I will have a drink of whatever he is having

09-26-2016, 03:36 AM	#2
MITCHELL Sea Hunter Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Where ever I may roam where I lay my head I call home. Posts: 2,304	Take baby steps...... And tie all your gear in with a leash...as soon as you don't it's gone...probably easier now with the newe're kayaks I cover my graph with a plastic bag and electric tape and take it off if its rough coming in...increase your range with time...practice with no gear in surf launching and landing don't leash your paddle in till your passed surfline out and in make sure your holding your paddle the right side up....experience is the best teacher unless you got money to higher a guide best if you go with a partner take a compass in case fog bank comes in.I have spent hours padding north in 50 ft of water in the fog in la jolla one time I was in 20ft of water in surfline and still could not see land before I had a gps map in my fish finder .I'm sure you no all the safety gear to bring last but no least I bring swim fins worst scenario for me I'll swim in..... __________________ Duke Mitchell Last edited by MITCHELL; 09-26-2016 at 04:04 PM.

09-26-2016, 03:43 AM	#3
MITCHELL Sea Hunter Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Where ever I may roam where I lay my head I call home. Posts: 2,304	With time You will develop your own style and find your likes and dislikes.... __________________ Duke Mitchell

09-25-2016, 09:52 PM	#1
isghj Junior Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 18	If you haven't been seasick before in your life, do not assume you won't get seasick on a kayak in the ocean. I had never experienced seasickness until going out on a kayak to the kelp beds on one particular bad swell day and it was debilitating. It took 5 trips without seasickness for my brain to stop associating the smell of seaweed with being sick. I take seasickness medication every time now, just as a precaution (and because I bought the 100 pill bottle on amazon because it was cheaper than the 12 pill case from local stores...) but I strongly recommend you find some instant seasickness medicine you can take out there with you, and always check the swell forecast. Personally, short swell period is worse than swell height for me, I generally avoid days where the primary swell is <10 seconds unless it's <2 ft as well. Bringing antacids and painkillers are a good idea too, extra water and food, you'll be half an hour minimum from your car at all times, tissues, don't go out with contacts without spare glasses in case a wave washes them out. Leash everything, if you're fishing with big bait, expect big "fish"; keep the deck clear and keep anything that isn't leashed stowed, in case you hook into a shark and forget to reduce the drag before engaging the reel and find out your 'yellowtail' is a shark/BSB and pulls you out of your kayak and you lose everything and have to replace all your fishing gear because the boat hull wasn't latched and your rods weren't leashed. (don't be an idiot like me) Street sweeping every Thursday at La Jolla, alternate streets though. If you want to play in the surf, I would suggest a beach with more surf normally. The salt and sun destroy everything, don't take anything you can't replace or wasn't made to be used in saltwater, and wash everything regardless after every trip.

09-26-2016, 08:12 AM	#6
straightrod Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 48	That's it post about fins - swimming in and scare the guy to death.

09-26-2016, 08:24 AM	#7
Mr_Fixit Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Escondido, CA Posts: 130	These guys really nailed it. Specific questions would help. Given that, there are some things you really should have: Protective clothing, including your face and feet: Feet: (My preference, but you asked) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Shirt: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Head: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Hands: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Face: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Legs: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 You should also have a flag/light for safety. Something similar to this is good: http://www.kayakfishinggear.com/prod...d-mighty-mount As mentioned before, LEASH your rods! Yeah, they DO tend to jump out of your kayak at the most inopportune times! https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Protect your phone! https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 A small medical kit, food, water, radio (waterproof, marine)... Safety first man. ALWAYS wear your PFD also. Get one with pockets to store your multi-tool and radio. Always keep your tool and radio on you. Rogue wave, or perhaps you get too close to a reef or something, but the wave could knock you out of your boat.