Video: Rough Launch @ LJ- 12/13/2020

[Southwest Kayak Fishing]

You did very well!

[Salty]

Originally Posted by Southwest Kayak Fishing

You did very well!

Thanks! It was fun. Different than what I'm used to down there.

[JohnMckroidJr]

Glad you made it out without event. Good to see all the rods lashed horizontally just in case. Do you ever pre-rig the mirage drive ready to use, hooked flush to the hull with the bungie? The method employs scissor kicking in shallow until deep enough for full peddle strokes. My paddle is broken down and stored for emergency use in case the mirage fails. Do any West Coaster's use that method, if not what is the reason?

[TJones]

Great video too. Camera placement is kinda hindered or blocked though. What do you do with your reels? Do the reels get soaked if mounted on the rods? the outback looked like it performed well. It is better in the surF compared to the old Outback? Those sneaker waves at the end almost cleaned up when you let your guard down. .
Thanks for posting up.

[Salty]

Originally Posted by TJones

Great video too. Camera placement is kinda hindered or blocked though. What do you do with your reels? Do the reels get soaked if mounted on the rods? the outback looked like it performed well. It is better in the surF compared to the old Outback? Those sneaker waves at the end almost cleaned up when you let your guard down. .
Thanks for posting up.

Yeah, I really need to get a taller gopro mount. I kind of put it there because it's the only spot I can really secure it at them moment. It was more of a "Hey, I should totally film this in case I get wrecked" kind of thing than a planned video. And you can definitely see the "Oh shit!" moment when I dig down quick to get past that set! Thought I was safe there for a second!

Most of the reels I have are water "resistant" so I'm okay with them getting splashed a bit and rinsing them off with a bottle of water after the launch and again back on land. I've just kind of resigned myself to the fact that taking them out on the kayak is going to be harsh in general and I'll have to service them way more frequently than when they were just used on the boat. I haven't flipped the yak yet, but I'm assuming being submerged in sandy saltwater would result in me having to service them all as punishment.

And this is my first Outback, so I wouldn't be able to give you a comparison. My last kayak was a Passport 12 and that would have definitely been sketchier getting out. The rounded bow and flatter hull would have been pushed sideways more easily by the whitewater I'm guessing, whereas the Outback just punched right through and out the back. (Maybe THAT'S why it's called the "Outback?")

[Gflann]

Here’s a reference for losing a rod and reel overboard coming back in. The only one I forgot to tie down...had to swim back out and get it. Opened it up and it looked like a sugar cookie.

Food for thought. When you come back in on a bigger surf day if you dont get a ride all the way in and get out in knee-waist deep water I’d recommend hauling the kayak in as fast as possible because a whitewash wave can easily go over the back of your kayak and douse your reels. Had that happen once and took apart my Jigmasters and SL30SHs and it was evident a decent amount of saltwater got in.

Now no matter how tired I am, I dont celebrate surviving the launch until the kayak’s bow is on the beach.

[deptrai]

Thats what we call a good day in Oregon. I sure do miss the SoCal ankle slappers.

[Salty]

Originally Posted by Gflann

Here’s a reference for losing a rod and reel overboard coming back in. The only one I forgot to tie down...had to swim back out and get it. Opened it up and it looked like a sugar cookie.

Food for thought. When you come back in on a bigger surf day if you dont get a ride all the way in and get out in knee-waist deep water I’d recommend hauling the kayak in as fast as possible because a whitewash wave can easily go over the back of your kayak and douse your reels. Had that happen once and took apart my Jigmasters and SL30SHs and it was evident a decent amount of saltwater got in.

Now no matter how tired I am, I dont celebrate surviving the launch until the kayak’s bow is on the beach.

Damn dude, that sucks! At least you got the reel back, but still... Not something you like to see. Sound advice.

[Salty]

Originally Posted by JohnMckroidJr

Glad you made it out without event. Good to see all the rods lashed horizontally just in case. Do you ever pre-rig the mirage drive ready to use, hooked flush to the hull with the bungie? The method employs scissor kicking in shallow until deep enough for full peddle strokes. My paddle is broken down and stored for emergency use in case the mirage fails. Do any West Coaster's use that method, if not what is the reason?

Yeah, I always secure the rods horizontally, even if the surf is small. Not worth the risk and it only takes a minute to put them up once I'm past the breakers.

And I've never personally used that method for 2 reasons. 1- I want to keep as much sand and sandy water out of the drive as possible. and 2- when I eventually do screw up a launch at some point(because it's bound to happen some day) I'd prefer not to have the drive exposed if the kayak is rolling away in shallow water.

[JohnMckroidJr]

Originally Posted by Salty

And I've never personally used that method for 2 reasons. 1- I want to keep as much sand and sandy water out of the drive as possible. and 2- when I eventually do screw up a launch at some point(because it's bound to happen some day) I'd prefer not to have the drive exposed if the kayak is rolling away in shallow water.

I have been launching via the mirage drive(no paddle) for 6 years and sand has never been an issue for me. Unlike a fishing reel, that gets gridlocked quickly. The mirage can just be dunked a few times in cleaner water, exercised a couple of strokes and it's good to go. If sand were a concern, I don't think Hobie would have the youtube video promoting this method of launching.

I have bent my fair share of masts, but with kickup fins, that issue has yet to occur.

Originally Posted by SoCalEDC

Yea thats how I launched my outback. I would throw the drive in and use the bungee around one of the cranks which would pin the fins, then walk out to about waist deep, pick my spot, jump in and pedal like a mad man while using the rudder in the right hand.

That's my method, but I try to jump in before waste deep. Always a plus to make it out without getting the personals wet.

Originally Posted by FISH11

That's the way I always launched my Hobie Revo 13 when I still owned it for 4 1/2 years. I've always told people there is a lot more power and speed using the mirage drive and your legs to get the hell out of the kill zone going out and coming in. Also you can't loose your drive in the surf if it's locked in place besides having a leash on it.

Totally agree. Mine is always leashed for the inbound transit, and gets pulled out when the depth gets too shallow to avoid bending a mast. Even if one bungies the masts flush to the hull, I have at times bent a mast.

[SoCalEDC]

Originally Posted by JohnMckroidJr

Glad you made it out without event. Good to see all the rods lashed horizontally just in case. Do you ever pre-rig the mirage drive ready to use, hooked flush to the hull with the bungie? The method employs scissor kicking in shallow until deep enough for full peddle strokes. My paddle is broken down and stored for emergency use in case the mirage fails. Do any West Coaster's use that method, if not what is the reason?

Yea thats how I launched my outback. I would throw the drive in and use the bungee around one of the cranks which would pin the fins, then walk out to about waist deep, pick my spot, jump in and pedal like a mad man while using the rudder in the right hand.

[FISH11]

Originally Posted by JohnMckroidJr

Glad you made it out without event. Good to see all the rods lashed horizontally just in case. Do you ever pre-rig the mirage drive ready to use, hooked flush to the hull with the bungie? The method employs scissor kicking in shallow until deep enough for full peddle strokes. My paddle is broken down and stored for emergency use in case the mirage fails. Do any West Coaster's use that method, if not what is the reason?

That's the way I always launched my Hobie Revo 13 when I still owned it for 4 1/2 years. I've always told people there is a lot more power and speed using the mirage drive and your legs to get the hell out of the kill zone going out and coming in. Also you can't loose your drive in the surf if it's locked in place besides having a leash on it.