Tie it All Down !

[fishslayer23]

Met tubeN2 at Broad Beach Rd this 6 AM. The water was really narly with rip tides. TubeN2 suggested we go north to Summerland and go kick some butts. It was a nice and easy beach launch just like TubeN2 said it would be. I went outside to the kelp and first off tried to make some bait. It was slow making even with using soaked dried anchovies(Japanese markets carry bags)as a chum line. I tried most of my arsenal and found gulp shrimp and mullet the best on 3/8 lead heads. Caught and released many white fish and had a strong butt bite. Looked up and saw TubeN2 going in so I followed and It was a good thing I did. The tide was changing. I buttoned down everything except my fishing rods which were attached to leashes and in the holders. Big mistake. I made my approach and made the first wave when bam I got hit with a second ripping wave that flipped me over. I finally got wet, it was a long two year run without any mishaps. When you go yaking plan on getting wet that goes with the sport. Broke one of my oldest Diawa graphite rods and lost my back up glasses. What hurt the most was my pride. Many thanks to TubeN2 for good suggestions and the help with some of the gear. It was a fun time and hope to go out again soon with a Pro like TubeN2.

[gone_fishing]

Read your post and the memories came flooding back. I made my first launch at La Jolla last summer and got hammered by a wave, dumping the yak, fishing gear, and the poor shmuck (me ) inside. Just by a strike of luck, my paddle leash became wrapped around the poles and they were saved. I travel light so there wasn't much tackle lost. It was enough to keep me out of the water for the day. Even the pea-shooter waves are more than capable of flipping any yak. Even though the paddle leash save my rods, I later learned that having the paddle leashed in the surf zone can create a dangerous situation. Lesson learned.

Hank

[gone_fishing]

Jim Sammons of La Jolla Kayak Fishing has an informative article concerning Surf Launchings. Check it out here.

Hank

[Tarpon guy]

That's a good article, Hank.

There have been days when the fishing was slow and I have decided to spend a little time in the waves. I go in and drop my gear, then go back out and try a little of everyhing. It's a great way to get more comfortable with your boat. Take a few waves broadside. Punch through a few going out and even try surfing a few, which doesn't work very well, but it definitely gives you a better idea of what to expect.

I like what the article said about planting your paddle in the base of the wave if you come in broadside. It really helps.

Days when it's been hot out on the water, getting clobbered by a few waves can be a nice way to cool down, too!

[gone_fishing]

I should have done a few dry runs without gear to better prep myself. Hopefully some other yakers will see posts like this one before heading out in the surf. These forums provide great tips for the novice to the expert!

Hank

[PerryC]

FS23,
Welcome to the forums

My first kayak had small hatches on it, so I didn't have the option to stow my rods below deck like I do now. What I used to do was remove the reels and put them below or in a dry bag. Then I would take a small piece of cord and tie the rods down to some deck loops I installed on the deck of the kayak. They're still exposed, but they are laying down instead of standing up at a 90 degree angle. Very good idea with the extra sunglasses. I always carry an extra pair also, but fishing partners have seemed to wear them more when they forget or lose theirs.

The guys are right on about playing in waves with your kayak or whatever watercraft one launches in the surf. It never hurts to have some practice. I took a kayak surf zones class from southwind kayaks down in Irvine,CA. I think they still offer them also if you're interested. It was "Good Stuff" as they say. TC&TL,
Perry

[seaslug]

Can we get some comments and perhaps photos in the kayak rigging section (or here) about exactly how to set up and use leashes. I keep looking at the problem and cannot find a way that will not hamstring me using the rods.

I know many of you sit sideways on the kayak comfortably. I can do it in flat calm water but even there am not comfortable with it. Besides, my rod holders and fish finder are too close to get my feet around without difficulty.

It would be virtually impossible to leash the rods behind my back, find the rod, unclip the leash and pull the rod forward when they are also behind my bait tank. Flexible I am NOT.

It would be even more difficult to get past my Hobie pedals and my front rod holder to open the large hatch and insert/remove a rod from there.

Best I can come up with now is not take anything out that I am not willing to lose. (better gear than me).

[Robert]

Tarpon Guy,
It was the weirdest thing when that happened. One minute I was sitting there
and the next minute I was in the water testing my pfd. It worked fine by the way.

Sea Slug,
Here are the leashes that I use now.





They have a quick disconnect buckle. The small end stays on the rod. I unhook the quick disconnect when I fish with each rod and hook it back up when I'm not fishing with it or when I'm trolling with the rod. I use these for all of my rods. The ones in my rod holders behind my seat no trouble to get
to at all. Just about any kayak shop should have these.

Robert

[PerryC]

SS,
I know what you're saying about the leashes themselves being in the way. I found something I'm planning to try soon over at basspro.com . They're made by blakemore I believe it is. Right now, I have a small "O" ring on my baitcasting rods just above the handle. Then I have a few of the coiled rod leashes with clips on both ends. One end get clipped to a padeye or seat ring etc.. and the other clip attaches onto the ring on the rod. When I use the rod, it detach the clip on the rod and I'm good to go. The downside is if you flip over, you'll usually let go of the rod you have in hand. That's where these floats come into play. I'm still going to use the leashes on the rod that are out of the way, and just rely on the floats for the rod I'm actively using. I'll let you know how they work after I get a set and try them out.

Hope this helps
Perry

[gone_fishing]

That's a great product! I've seen pool noodles used to keep the rods floating.
Here's the link for Blackmore's Rod Floater:
http://www.blakemorelure.com/accessories_rodkits.html

Hank