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Posted by jas on 09:23:25 05/20/03
In Reply to: BRANDNUBIES SLOW YOUR ROLL! posted by ewip
: The recent flood of posts for help is a cool indication that the sport is really starting to boil. however, the many reports of guys out on the big water ( even worst, alone ) on their first thru 10th attempts @ yak fishing is scary insane. i've been in this thing for about 4 yrs. on 3 yaks and have dumped all but one ( no doubt soon to come after stating it ) and i don't consider myself much more than a novist. u guys should really ssslllooooowww down. hone your skills at your local lakes and bays for a while. get to know what your yak can do first. hell, i'm consantly tweeking my yaks to reach the ultimate fishing machine point but i never try out even the simplest modifications on the big water before testing it in the ponds. the ocean is beautiful, but its like driving the open road. you can putt-putt around town forever with a piece of junk and make it just fine, but put it on the open road and cheap tires shred and old hoses explode. make sure that your skill base isn't that hose or re-cap. part of the fun of it is going home to those who rely on your sound judgement. all good things take some time, right:)cliff a.
That's good advice. The ocean doesn't always cooperate with us. Learning the basics should be the priority. It can be done on the ocean, but one should become an expert at monitoring the various weather/marine reports. Always check the latest report as well (just before departing for the launch).
If you don't have any experience with the ocean, definately go out of your way to use a lake, pond, bay, etc. Guides and/or experienced kayak anglers willing to watch your back help. Some days the ocean does look like a lake. That can be deceiving. The more experience you had with the ocean prior to getting involved with the sport will help with the transition. For ex. have you been rolled around in the surf, held underwater, been pulled by strong currents, etc? That experience is priceless. It has little to do with the fundamentals of paddling. But it may help you stay calm should you struggle in the surf zone or capsize out on the water. Maintaining your cool in crisis important.
Check the "NEWS" on the site for articles of what can happen when you don't respect the ocean. They can be real eye openers. Always prepare for the worst, i.e. be prepared.
jas
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