Sunday Sunday Sunday (PC)

I'll be out there early Monday. My wife told me to go fishing.   

Look like the winds and swells will be dropping as the day wears on on Sunday.  I think you guys will score in the afternoon!

I'm officially going to Hippy fest/ Oregon Country Fair tomorrow, so count me out for Sunday.  Monday, however, unless I am hungover, looks like a go.

I'm officially going to Hippy fest/ Oregon Country Fair tomorrow, so count me out for Sunday.  Monday, however, unless I am hungover, looks like a go.

Monday, launch 6-6:15. 2 confirmed kayaks so far, at least 1 other interested but not yet confirmed.

Can't make it Monday, but latest MSW forecast predicts 2.5" swell Sunday. I'll be there Sunday morning around 7am.

I made it out to Pacific City around 9:00 Sunday morning. The ocean was smooth as glass, with less than one foot waves breaking in the fishing vehicle parking area. Wake from the dory boats was more of an issue as I launched around 9:30am. I decided to first try my luck near the CK buoy. I had my first black within a few minutes. Two more within first full hour of fishing. Things went cold from there, as the weather and my drift were slowly changing. The swell and wind were slowly building during my time out there. I briefly talked to another kayak fisherman near the rock who was jest making it out at about noon. I communicated that I was headed back to the buoy, were my luck had been better earlier. After about ten minutes of fishing near the buoy again the wind chop and swell, or my perception, suddenly kicked up. Hey the dorys and other kayak were on the beach. I decided it was time for my newbie butt to also head back in. As I packed the rods away I kept hearing what I thought was the sound of waves breaking against the rock. Wait, too far away from the rock, Hummmm. On my paddle back in two whale spouts breached about 100' in front of me, with two tails following. Mystery noise solved! Hot dog, my first whale experience! This happened about three more times all around me before no more whales. I was more concerned about paddling into the wind and chop than taking photos. I was nervous about the landing, but the no problems.  I surfed a couple waves in and jumped out, and got BEHIND my yak in knee deep water. Held on to the rear handle and walked the yak up to the sand. A family that watched the whales around me from the top of the cape met me on the beach. They were all convinced that I was a scientist or marine researcher. I denied being a scientist, but introduced myself as Joe Cousteau.  I later took advantage of the fish cleaning station at the county park, I love this place. What a great day, not catching limits yet, but having a blast!



 

Very cool! 

Nicely done Joe!!! Let's see if this AM is so kind.   

Jay

Way to go Joe! Let the madness continue.

The plan was to work on my surf launches and landings, maybe get in a little surf action.  At Cape Kiwanda the waves were small, but the beach looked to be real busy. I took Pelagic Paddler's advice on checking out the beach just before Tierra del Mar.  Hardly anyone was on the beach, the waves seemed to look a lot larger than at PC, but I figured I was just imaging it...



Forgot my paddle cart, would have been the first time to try out my wheeleez on the sand, did fine on hard packed dirt trails, but I know the wheels are really built for the sand...

I situated my spray skirt, watched the waves for a while, decided which spot of sand looked most level, and decided to go for it.  No idea about swell or wave height, but looked doable, and I was sure I was going to get wet.

Had issues the first time trying to put my spray skirt around the combing of the cockpit, I called my gf for assistance, she set down the camera at that point and came over to help. So unfortunately no pics of my big wipeout... The first two waves hit me, and I was trying my best to face them head on, the third wave however was huge and instead of paddling hard at the last minute i just kinda said "oh shit", imediately after my  stern was dropping and my bow was lifting and turning to the left, I'm not sure if I pulled my release cord on my spray skirt or if the wave breaking on me undid it, but i went with it and bailed out the side of my boat letting the wave take me into the water and down.  I bobbed only for an instant and shot my hand back up and held onto my kayak.  Fully swamped and a larger set of waves coming at me, I was a little nervous about how this would play out.  I just kept holding on for deat life and each wave pushed my swamped kayak sideways and I got a nice little ride towards the beach.  Pumped out the cockpit, decided to give it another go.  

The rest of the pics are from that second launching, I made each wave this time...











Had the surf to myself at first, then a jetskiir came out and started playing...





Anyways thought I'd share a few pics, now that I'm comfortable getting tossed around like a ragdoll on my surf launches, I think I'm ready to try fishing out there =)