How to handle boat wakes in harbor? - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

min-va · 10-24-2011, 01:45 PM

This coming weekend, i will try my kayak fishing in harbor for the first time, but can you guys tell me how to handle all these boat wakes when kayaking the harbor...

When a boat wake coming in front of me, i think should be fine, just keep paddle it over, but what should i do if a boat wake coming from the side? do i have to turn and face it? or just let it hit my yak and keep my balance on as good as i can?

I don't think i will face a very huge swell or crazy vessel boat wake, since i just going to stay in harbor, so i just thinking those boat wakes create by yachts and character boats.

wiredantz · 10-24-2011, 01:53 PM

Always listen for boat traffic and i always try to face the wave. If the wave is big enought your going to have to learn how to brace.

jorluivil · 10-24-2011, 01:54 PM

Hold on really reallly realllllly tight.

pchen911 · 10-24-2011, 01:57 PM

Keep your butt loose and keep your shoulders over your kayak and just go with the flow.

A few beers help.

Fiskadoro · 10-24-2011, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pchen911

Keep your butt loose and keep your shoulders over your kayak and just go with the flow. A few beers help.

Sounds like someone has been paying hard for their kayak fishing lessons.

mazilla · 10-24-2011, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Day

Sounds like someone has been paying hard for their kayak fishing lessons.

ROFL

pchen911 · 10-24-2011, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Day

Sounds like someone has been paying hard for their kayak fishing lessons.

Ummm... not THAT loose!

blitzburgh · 10-24-2011, 03:13 PM

What bay or harbor? I can tell you that in the Big Bay, depending on the boat traffic, you can get a bad washtub effect going on and some of the smaller vessels create the biggest/worst wake. I face the oncoming wake forward on a slight angle. That's what works for me, on my specific yak. I'm sure the technique can vary based on what you're in.

mtnbykr2 · 10-24-2011, 03:54 PM

Just always be aware of your surroundings and traffic, the washtub effect can get a little knarley sometimes but if you are watching you will be ok, like they said loosen up and roll with it

lowprofile · 10-24-2011, 04:01 PM

never had a problem in newport and oside is like glass. out in open water though, just stop paddling and roll with the wave. i usually find myself leaning into it a bit as it goes up it. so if it hits the left, just keep your hips loose and lean to the left a bit as it raises to keep your head and shoulders leven then as it goes down repeat to the other side. shouldnt have any problems.

flying bait · 10-24-2011, 04:36 PM

Why keep your hip loose?

GregAndrew · 10-24-2011, 05:22 PM

You will learn how to roll with the swells through experience. Part of your ability will rely on the primary and secondary stabilities of your particular yak, and part on your balance. Until then, you will feel more stable by taking them head on.

StinkyMatt · 10-24-2011, 06:02 PM

Any wake over 6 inches I just evacuate the kayak.

Jump into the ocean and climb back into your yak when the water is flat. It helps if you lower the weight of your yak by throwing away your heaviest rod/ reel combo.

Its called being proactive!

It works for me.

jorluivil · 10-24-2011, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StinkyMatt

Any wake over 6 inches I just evacuate the kayak.

Jump into the ocean and climb back into your yak when the water is flat. It helps if you lower the weight of your yak by throwing away your heaviest rod/ reel combo.

Its called being proactive!

It works for me.

Hahahahahahahahahahaha!!!

Amish Ed · 10-24-2011, 06:27 PM

The Kid nailed it. Just hang your legs over the sides.

mtnbykr2 · 10-25-2011, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StinkyMatt

Any wake over 6 inches I just evacuate the kayak.

Jump into the ocean and climb back into your yak when the water is flat. It helps if you lower the weight of your yak by throwing away your heaviest rod/ reel combo.

Its called being proactive!

It works for me.

and Matt is as "proactive" as they come...ROFLMAO

WahooUSMA · 10-25-2011, 07:10 AM

The wakes you see are not the problem. Its the one's that you don't see that turn your trip into a GOAT F*&^.

William Novotny · 10-25-2011, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StinkyMatt

Any wake over 6 inches I just evacuate the kayak.

Jump into the ocean and climb back into your yak when the water is flat. It helps if you lower the weight of your yak by throwing away your heaviest rod/ reel combo.

Its called being proactive!

It works for me.

You forgot to add squealing and arm flapping. Can't balance without arm flapping.

Handymansd · 10-25-2011, 08:15 AM

take your yak out and play with it under a peir... you will be a pro soon enough... or if you want to be really good, you could also go out to "Wade's" reefs during a big swell, high tide, during the new moon, pulling on hoops... make you an expert in no time!

Bennyblanco · 10-25-2011, 08:36 AM

Best thing that worked for me,was to go out and play In the waves.just you paddle and yak. No gear
Practice entry , ride the waves in,get tossed a few times,feel what is like to get cought sideways.you will get confidence and you will learn how to handle what ever comes your way.all of that while still having fun.

10-24-2011, 01:45 PM	#1
min-va Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Hacienda Heights Posts: 216	How to handle boat wakes in harbor? This coming weekend, i will try my kayak fishing in harbor for the first time, but can you guys tell me how to handle all these boat wakes when kayaking the harbor... When a boat wake coming in front of me, i think should be fine, just keep paddle it over, but what should i do if a boat wake coming from the side? do i have to turn and face it? or just let it hit my yak and keep my balance on as good as i can? I don't think i will face a very huge swell or crazy vessel boat wake, since i just going to stay in harbor, so i just thinking those boat wakes create by yachts and character boats.

10-24-2011, 01:53 PM	#2
wiredantz Currently @ MLO Territory Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Under the Shadow Posts: 2,290	Always listen for boat traffic and i always try to face the wave. If the wave is big enought your going to have to learn how to brace. __________________ Team: Disbanded You only have one chance in this life...make the right decision(s)...so you don't regret it

10-24-2011, 01:54 PM	#3
jorluivil Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 6,855	Hold on really reallly realllllly tight. __________________ www.facebook.com/Teamsewer

10-24-2011, 03:13 PM	#8
blitzburgh Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Menifee Posts: 2,509	What bay or harbor? I can tell you that in the Big Bay, depending on the boat traffic, you can get a bad washtub effect going on and some of the smaller vessels create the biggest/worst wake. I face the oncoming wake forward on a slight angle. That's what works for me, on my specific yak. I'm sure the technique can vary based on what you're in. __________________ ”The beauty of the Second Amendment is that it will not be needed until they try to take it.” ~Thomas Jefferson.........maybe

10-24-2011, 06:27 PM	#15
Amish Ed Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Grants Pass, OR Posts: 1,903	The Kid nailed it. Just hang your legs over the sides. __________________ Amish Ed You can't catch it again if it's dead!

10-24-2011, 01:57 PM	#4
pchen911 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 218	Keep your butt loose and keep your shoulders over your kayak and just go with the flow. A few beers help.

10-24-2011, 03:54 PM	#9
mtnbykr2 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: newbury park ca Posts: 2,323	Just always be aware of your surroundings and traffic, the washtub effect can get a little knarley sometimes but if you are watching you will be ok, like they said loosen up and roll with it

10-24-2011, 04:01 PM	#10
lowprofile #1 on fishstick's hitlist Join Date: May 2011 Location: Sea level Posts: 1,476	never had a problem in newport and oside is like glass. out in open water though, just stop paddling and roll with the wave. i usually find myself leaning into it a bit as it goes up it. so if it hits the left, just keep your hips loose and lean to the left a bit as it raises to keep your head and shoulders leven then as it goes down repeat to the other side. shouldnt have any problems.

10-24-2011, 04:36 PM	#11
flying bait Junior Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 14	Why keep your hip loose?

10-24-2011, 05:22 PM	#12
GregAndrew Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 2,384	You will learn how to roll with the swells through experience. Part of your ability will rely on the primary and secondary stabilities of your particular yak, and part on your balance. Until then, you will feel more stable by taking them head on.

10-24-2011, 06:02 PM	#13
StinkyMatt Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Under a bridge Posts: 2,168	Any wake over 6 inches I just evacuate the kayak. Jump into the ocean and climb back into your yak when the water is flat. It helps if you lower the weight of your yak by throwing away your heaviest rod/ reel combo. Its called being proactive! It works for me.

10-25-2011, 07:10 AM	#17
WahooUSMA Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Rancho Cucamonga Posts: 753	The wakes you see are not the problem. Its the one's that you don't see that turn your trip into a GOAT F*&^. __________________ GO ARMY BEAT NAVY! Bad decisions make great stories!

10-25-2011, 08:15 AM	#19
Handymansd Ancient Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: On The Water Posts: 935	take your yak out and play with it under a peir... you will be a pro soon enough... or if you want to be really good, you could also go out to "Wade's" reefs during a big swell, high tide, during the new moon, pulling on hoops... make you an expert in no time! __________________ All men are equal before fish. -Herbert Hoover

10-25-2011, 08:36 AM	#20
Bennyblanco Ironman Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Inland empire Posts: 175	Best thing that worked for me,was to go out and play In the waves.just you paddle and yak. No gear Practice entry , ride the waves in,get tossed a few times,feel what is like to get cought sideways.you will get confidence and you will learn how to handle what ever comes your way.all of that while still having fun.