Don't Let This Happen To You - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Ed · 04-21-2010, 08:08 AM

Low cost solution:

nunyabizness1 · 04-21-2010, 08:11 AM

Thanks for the reminder that we all need from time to time. I usually go to LJ alone and can use all the tips I can get. I do tie my water pump to my yak as it does slide freely inside my x-factorvyak from front to back if you don't.

Glad to hear you made it back safely and thanks for sharing your story for the good of all.

bluesquids · 04-21-2010, 09:01 AM

More thoughts on this..
Sounds like you weren't in any major danger other than hypothermia and getting run over by a boat. A whistle can signal someone who's fishing nearby but won't be heard over the sound of a motor coming at you. I have SOLAS reflective tape on the back of my paddle blades and have been spoted 1.5 miles away. Expensive, but found it on ebay cheap, been on my blades with little to no wear 6-7years now.
If you're in the water and a boat is heading towards you and your in a PFD, you're only gonna have a few seconds to get it off and dive down.
I've heard it happen to a scuba guy who couldn't get his inflated BC off in time.

Rob929 · 04-21-2010, 09:03 AM

ED- How are those pad eyes attached inside your hull? I need to do that to keep things in place.

TO OP: First off- very glad you are safe (and that you still managed to get some fishin in after- crazy!)

This is a great reminder for those of us (myself included) to make sure safety is #1. It hasn't been my priority in recent outings.

I used to bring a little pump out with me until I lost it. They are only $6 at harbor freight.. Time to go shopping
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=66418

Thanks for posting

Billy V · 04-21-2010, 09:38 AM

Go Play a Lottery Ticket Today - you might still have some of that lucky Karma attached to You.

I'm glad to hear you survived the ordeal and would like to offer a suggestion to our kayak fishing community. Your calm head played an important part in your survival.

- As a former search and rescue firefighter, and motorcycle instructor I have survival mindset and carry this along to my kayak fishing, and many other things in my life.

On the bikes I used to teach students to Dress For the Crash.
This also applies to kayak fishing.
You have to assume you will be quickly parting from your vessel and in a fight for your life - on your own - in open water.

There are several things I don't leave home without:
PFD with Attached Water Whistle, Tethered Floating Icom VHF, Cell Phone in a small dry bag with SD Lifeguard Number on Speed Dial, Attached Knife, Water Proof Laser Flashlight (Its very bright even in daylight)
-A fresh charge on all your batteries.
-------------------------------------------

Its no joke out there, look out for your fellow kayak fisherman. By this time you should have a trained eye to spot the signs of a distressed kayak fisherman.
ie. Paddle waving in the air, whistle blowing, unusual noise (its usually quiet as a church out there), a person signaling with a flashlight.
-------------------------------------------

I caught one of my best fishing buddies while kayak fishing off La Jolla a few years ago using the perception I described above.

-He is Still the largest catch I have landed there to this day.
A 220 lb. Pilipino.

sandydiego · 04-21-2010, 10:22 AM

I'm thinking about stuffing some empty 2 liter soda bottles in the empty areas of the yak.

troutnut · 04-23-2010, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sandydiego

I'm thinking about stuffing some empty 2 liter soda bottles in the empty areas of the yak.

2 liter bottles will only keep your kayak from sinking to the bottom, that's it. They only provide flotation when the water level pushes then against the hull. It is better to wedge pool noodles in the hull for positive flotation. I have 10+ stuffed in the stern of my Trident 15, some large size, some the skinny Walmart ones. The large ones are under the seat, and I put the rod butts in the holes to keep my reels off the bottom. But I am going to tether my pump today, and I have a spare bilge pump for my other boat in the garage, I'm going to wire it up and install it this weekend.

Glad your ok Big Barrel. I'm also glad it was your "teachable moment" and not mine. I would have been waving

as I sunk to the bottom.

Ed · 04-21-2010, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob929

ED- How are those pad eyes attached inside your hull? I need to do that to keep things in place.

Clean hull and padeyes with alcohol, lightly sand and use a generous amount of Goop (no rivets). Stronger than it looks. I'm on my second season with no failure.

04-21-2010, 09:01 AM	#3
bluesquids Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Jamul, CA Posts: 243	More thoughts on this.. Sounds like you weren't in any major danger other than hypothermia and getting run over by a boat. A whistle can signal someone who's fishing nearby but won't be heard over the sound of a motor coming at you. I have SOLAS reflective tape on the back of my paddle blades and have been spoted 1.5 miles away. Expensive, but found it on ebay cheap, been on my blades with little to no wear 6-7years now. If you're in the water and a boat is heading towards you and your in a PFD, you're only gonna have a few seconds to get it off and dive down. I've heard it happen to a scuba guy who couldn't get his inflated BC off in time. __________________ Thanks, bluesquids

04-21-2010, 09:03 AM	#4
Rob929 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: San Diego Posts: 134	WOW ED- How are those pad eyes attached inside your hull? I need to do that to keep things in place. TO OP: First off- very glad you are safe (and that you still managed to get some fishin in after- crazy!) This is a great reminder for those of us (myself included) to make sure safety is #1. It hasn't been my priority in recent outings. I used to bring a little pump out with me until I lost it. They are only $6 at harbor freight.. Time to go shopping http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=66418 Thanks for posting

04-21-2010, 08:08 AM	#1
Ed Fringe Head Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Drippin Chicken Water Ranch Posts: 140	Low cost solution: __________________ "If cabbage was good for you, rabbits would be big as bears" (Adi)

04-21-2010, 08:11 AM	#2
nunyabizness1 Maggie Join Date: May 2007 Location: Nunya Posts: 126	Thanks for the reminder that we all need from time to time. I usually go to LJ alone and can use all the tips I can get. I do tie my water pump to my yak as it does slide freely inside my x-factorvyak from front to back if you don't. Glad to hear you made it back safely and thanks for sharing your story for the good of all.

04-21-2010, 09:38 AM	#5
Billy V Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bay Ho Posts: 1,382	Go Play a Lottery Ticket Today - you might still have some of that lucky Karma attached to You. I'm glad to hear you survived the ordeal and would like to offer a suggestion to our kayak fishing community. Your calm head played an important part in your survival. - As a former search and rescue firefighter, and motorcycle instructor I have survival mindset and carry this along to my kayak fishing, and many other things in my life. On the bikes I used to teach students to Dress For the Crash. This also applies to kayak fishing. You have to assume you will be quickly parting from your vessel and in a fight for your life - on your own - in open water. There are several things I don't leave home without: PFD with Attached Water Whistle, Tethered Floating Icom VHF, Cell Phone in a small dry bag with SD Lifeguard Number on Speed Dial, Attached Knife, Water Proof Laser Flashlight (Its very bright even in daylight) -A fresh charge on all your batteries. ------------------------------------------- Its no joke out there, look out for your fellow kayak fisherman. By this time you should have a trained eye to spot the signs of a distressed kayak fisherman. ie. Paddle waving in the air, whistle blowing, unusual noise (its usually quiet as a church out there), a person signaling with a flashlight. ------------------------------------------- I caught one of my best fishing buddies while kayak fishing off La Jolla a few years ago using the perception I described above. -He is Still the largest catch I have landed there to this day. A 220 lb. Pilipino.

04-21-2010, 10:22 AM	#6
sandydiego Rum Pirate Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Wilds of Mira Mesa Posts: 388	I'm thinking about stuffing some empty 2 liter soda bottles in the empty areas of the yak.