Safety Gear Is Like AMEX..Don't Leave Home without ALL OF IT! - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

WahooUSMA · 10-01-2010, 07:13 AM

I had a Tarpon 160i once and the first time I went out in it, I was upside down. I still think Premo and Kent tipped me over, but that's a whole other story.

The daughters boyfriend was using my Revo and I had the Tarpon as an extra yak. He had never been on a kayak before and I had never used the Tarpon. I made sure he had everything leashed, PDF, etc. I was going to be 'OK' since I thought I was an experienced kayaker. LMAO because the kid got hooked up with a nice T and fought it for what seemed to be too long. Anyway, we all caught up to him, Premo, Kent and I and the next thing I know is that someones line (mine) got wrapped around my rudder as the kid was bringing the T to the side of the Revo. Not to mention seeing the boy get tail slapped by the T in the process. I haven't laughed that hard in a long time.

Long story short - as we are unhooking the T and the wrapped fly-line line from around my rudder, I looked over my shoulder to see what was going on and the next thing you know, I was upside down with the Thresher. Its amazing how quickly my fat ass righted that yak and got back in. I lost a nice Avet and Seeker combo, pliers, and some other small stuff. Did manage to keep one rod and reel since that was the one that was wrapped around the rudder.

Jzo · 10-01-2010, 07:56 AM

Thx for sharing, learned a lot, great that you've made out ok.

JoeBeck · 10-01-2010, 08:32 AM

Thanks for the write up. These stories are important to share especially for those who are just getting into the sport browsing the web for info. Always wear your PFD should be the lesson learned here, you can always buy new gear but not your life back. Even in the bay where it is calm you have inexperienced boaters to worry about. I can not tell you how many close calls I have had with sail boats almost hitting me and 1 which did kayaking the big bay. Lot less scary when your in the water floating vs not.

Also a hand-held bilge pump has saved myself on an occasion where I forgot to put my drain-plug back in and my wife another time out at Catalina when here kayak got a hole in it. If you don't have one you should get one, they are cheap. Doesn't hurt to carry an extra paddle as well, you are not the 1st to lose your paddle on the water.

Glad you two are safe and congrats on the marriage!!!

GBF · 10-01-2010, 08:33 AM

Dr. Says deep tissue brusing and a little whip lash................Vicoden sucks so traded it in for 800mg Moltin. It might work for someone else but it made me dizzy and did nothing for the pain. Can't get the arm over the head though and the Dr says it's gonna get worse before it gets better. Thanks guys. I've gotten good reminders on this sight for a numner of years. Hope my experence helps.

GBF

tagyak · 10-01-2010, 08:51 AM

thanks for the story. i guess the lesson learned is even when you feel confident in your own skills, you should always remain cautious and prepare for the worst case scenario.
glad to hear that you and your wife are safe.
you should also try some pain relief patches, like Salonpas. it really gets into the muscle for relief.

Hunters Pa · 10-01-2010, 08:56 AM

If one person is saved from this post then ANY embarrassment was worth it. I think it is safe to say that we will all end up in the water at one point or another. Everyone has their own tolerance for risk. For me, I have a 4 year old daughter & 7 year old son counting on me coming home. My PFD is on from before I step off the sand until I step back on. That's just me,

Good lessons learned and thank you for posting about them.

And congrats on getting married. Probably the best decision I ever made. Most likely would not have survived this long had she not come along

Whizz Bang · 10-01-2010, 09:44 AM

OK, so I have been lurking on this site hoping there is not a killer bite going on while I am stuck in afghanistan, and I gotta weigh in on this one. I took a girl out to LJ about a month ago who actually posted her fish on the forum. She had kayaked maybe a couple of times before, like two times. No ocean experience.
I felt completely comfortable because she was in great shape and a strong swimmer. The first thing we did past the sets was to show her how to enter exit the kayak. Considering she must have a small bladder and she drinks a lot of water, it is a good thing. I swear she jumped in at least 14 or 15 times during the course of the day to pee. PFDs, have em, hell wear em if you want, whatever. But the must have is a comfort level in water and getting back on the yak, because if you spend enough time on it, you will end up in it.

deepdvr · 10-01-2010, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whizz Bang

Considering she must have a small bladder and she drinks a lot of water, it is a good thing. I swear she jumped in at least 14 or 15 times during the course of the day to pee.

I'm glad that I'm still the only one who has pissed all over that yak.

10-01-2010, 07:13 AM	#1
WahooUSMA Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Rancho Cucamonga Posts: 753	I had a Tarpon 160i once and the first time I went out in it, I was upside down. I still think Premo and Kent tipped me over, but that's a whole other story. The daughters boyfriend was using my Revo and I had the Tarpon as an extra yak. He had never been on a kayak before and I had never used the Tarpon. I made sure he had everything leashed, PDF, etc. I was going to be 'OK' since I thought I was an experienced kayaker. LMAO because the kid got hooked up with a nice T and fought it for what seemed to be too long. Anyway, we all caught up to him, Premo, Kent and I and the next thing I know is that someones line (mine) got wrapped around my rudder as the kid was bringing the T to the side of the Revo. Not to mention seeing the boy get tail slapped by the T in the process. I haven't laughed that hard in a long time. Long story short - as we are unhooking the T and the wrapped fly-line line from around my rudder, I looked over my shoulder to see what was going on and the next thing you know, I was upside down with the Thresher. Its amazing how quickly my fat ass righted that yak and got back in. I lost a nice Avet and Seeker combo, pliers, and some other small stuff. Did manage to keep one rod and reel since that was the one that was wrapped around the rudder. __________________ GO ARMY BEAT NAVY! Bad decisions make great stories!

10-01-2010, 08:32 AM	#3
JoeBeck Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: San Diego Posts: 370	Thanks for the write up. These stories are important to share especially for those who are just getting into the sport browsing the web for info. Always wear your PFD should be the lesson learned here, you can always buy new gear but not your life back. Even in the bay where it is calm you have inexperienced boaters to worry about. I can not tell you how many close calls I have had with sail boats almost hitting me and 1 which did kayaking the big bay. Lot less scary when your in the water floating vs not. Also a hand-held bilge pump has saved myself on an occasion where I forgot to put my drain-plug back in and my wife another time out at Catalina when here kayak got a hole in it. If you don't have one you should get one, they are cheap. Doesn't hurt to carry an extra paddle as well, you are not the 1st to lose your paddle on the water. Glad you two are safe and congrats on the marriage!!! Last edited by JoeBeck; 10-01-2010 at 09:12 AM. Reason: Typo's alot of them

10-01-2010, 08:33 AM	#4
GBF Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Huntington Beach CA Posts: 323	Dr. Says deep tissue brusing and a little whip lash................Vicoden sucks so traded it in for 800mg Moltin. It might work for someone else but it made me dizzy and did nothing for the pain. Can't get the arm over the head though and the Dr says it's gonna get worse before it gets better. Thanks guys. I've gotten good reminders on this sight for a numner of years. Hope my experence helps. GBF __________________ "Just keep going out....it's better than staying Home"

10-01-2010, 07:56 AM	#2
Jzo Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 344	Thx for sharing, learned a lot, great that you've made out ok.

10-01-2010, 08:51 AM	#5
tagyak Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Alhambra Posts: 506	thanks for the story. i guess the lesson learned is even when you feel confident in your own skills, you should always remain cautious and prepare for the worst case scenario. glad to hear that you and your wife are safe. you should also try some pain relief patches, like Salonpas. it really gets into the muscle for relief.

10-01-2010, 08:56 AM	#6
Hunters Pa Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Fullerton Posts: 1,361	If one person is saved from this post then ANY embarrassment was worth it. I think it is safe to say that we will all end up in the water at one point or another. Everyone has their own tolerance for risk. For me, I have a 4 year old daughter & 7 year old son counting on me coming home. My PFD is on from before I step off the sand until I step back on. That's just me, Good lessons learned and thank you for posting about them. And congrats on getting married. Probably the best decision I ever made. Most likely would not have survived this long had she not come along

10-01-2010, 09:44 AM	#7
Whizz Bang Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 396	OK, so I have been lurking on this site hoping there is not a killer bite going on while I am stuck in afghanistan, and I gotta weigh in on this one. I took a girl out to LJ about a month ago who actually posted her fish on the forum. She had kayaked maybe a couple of times before, like two times. No ocean experience. I felt completely comfortable because she was in great shape and a strong swimmer. The first thing we did past the sets was to show her how to enter exit the kayak. Considering she must have a small bladder and she drinks a lot of water, it is a good thing. I swear she jumped in at least 14 or 15 times during the course of the day to pee. PFDs, have em, hell wear em if you want, whatever. But the must have is a comfort level in water and getting back on the yak, because if you spend enough time on it, you will end up in it.