Sea Lions don't like me...

For your viewing entertainment...what happens in March, just north of Thumb Cove in Resurrection Bay when a Midwestern Farmboy who thinks he's a sea stud realizes he doesn't know squat about the territorial nature of Sea Lions.

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I went out thinking I was king of the world--nobody else was on the water, I was fishing for winter kings (even if they weren't there to receive my offerings), and having a good 3 day stay in Thumb Cove. When I pulled into the cove just north of the cabin for wood, I quickly realized that I was trespassing. The outcome was nothing...but it put into perspective how much more I need to consider before going out on a solo trip. Like considering whether or not sea lions attack on land....

Great video.  I think they wanted to be your friend.

Nice video!  Wait till a male shoots under or next to your kayak!!!!  They didn't seem too happy with you!!!


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Thanks for sharing, I've had them pop up inches away from the kayak and it's definitely unnerving to feel lower than normal on the food chain.

Funny thing though, power boaters will do the same type of grunting out here on the Columbia.

I had one pop up near me at Depoe Bay a few weeks ago.  I took my bonk stick and thumped the side of the hull a few times nice and loud.  It startled it enough to literally shoot vertical out of the water right there, turn tail and disappeared.  Not saying this will work in every situation, but it was worth a try.   

That's good stuff right there! Had you spotted them before landing, or did they appear only after you were on shore? AND, did you have any fish with you?  I've had several encounters with Stellar sea lions in Resurrection Bay, none too alarming but also none with fish on board either.

Like the unflappable Midwestern-accented narrative, too! Times like that when we realize those Great Lakes are a whole different thing after all. Lake Erie never dished up something like that.

I don't see what all the concern was about.   So what if a male might be almost as long as your kayak and half as much as the vehicle that brought you and your kayak to the water.   

I met my wife in Kodiak on a work trip. She and her sister took me out kayaking for my first time ever, and we had a big bull bark at us. We took angles to try to get out of his area and around him. All the sudden he popped up only a foot or so from the side of my wife's kayak. I busted out paddling as fast as I could the other direction--totally freaked out.

I've never lived it down, but yeah an animal the size of a small cow swimming with great agility and a definite advantage in the environment. This midwestern boy was leaving the Alaska Native woman to fend for herself.

AKFishergal--No fish on board. No fish that trip at all, actually. I hadn't seen them before I went into the shore. I was gathering up some wood and when I got back to the beach, there they were. I had seen some down in Thumb Cove the day before. I don't know that getting back in the water was the best choice. I didn't have a gun to fire, should have banged on the side like INSAYN suggested.

And Skidplate--I have had a buddy who uses his powerboat on the Kenai tell me that those guys would aim for kayakers if they see them out there. I'm thinking he's only half kidding. I haven't been down there with a kayak yet. But I know some of the folks on this board have. Scary stuff. Might rather take my chances with a sea lion.

I've had a few less than polite power boats try and wake me on the Kenai. I think they were pretty disappointed/amazed that I wouldn't flinch as they blast by. A few even turn to get max wake. It's like they are trying to purposely show me it's not safe in a kayak or something.

Having said that, I get a thumbs up from 98% of the folks out there.   I've been on the river only two non powerboat days. The other days I've just waited till after the peak of the day.  It's a great float. Upper, middle, and lower.


AlaskaKayakFisher.com
Guidesak.blogspot.com
My personal pages...I'm not a guide.