Things learned today at Westport

Well, at least I caught fish I could keep. I put into the flat water around 8:00, and started paddling out. There were only a couple guys on the rocks and. Lone reported catching much of anything. I went most of the way to the end... Briefly considered going past the end, but since I was alone I de used against it. Pretty much just fished and fished with no results. The tide had turned and the swell started picking up and just kept getting bigger and bigger. I don't know what too big is, but when you drop off the back of a swell and feeling like you are on a smallish roller coaster was interesting. Then the wind kicked up, a lot. Then the bite came on, not monsters but I was getting bites. Problem was the wind was blowing out from the jetty at close to 2mph... I would paddle in, cast, fight the wind, hook up and then get blown farther out while being fish in. Mind you, I wasnt scared but I decided I couldn't afford to lose my rods if I capsized. So, I headed in. :/ I fished my way in but didn't hook up again. Up till this point I stayed close to the jetty avoiding the south wind that was kicking. When I turned the. Orner to half moon bay that protection was gone and I had to pads like crazy to make progress against the wind. Finally, I turned Ito the shore and walk the yak to my take out point. I don't have a cart so I drug my boat to the base of the sand dune, unloaded it, packed my stuff up the dune and then went down and drug the yak up. Ugh!  Then I loaded up. But this was a bear alone after all the paddling.

So, what did I learn. I want to try bait and not just jigs to try and get lings. I need to have something that attaches all my stuff so I do t lose it should I capsize. Just because I am willing to stay, doesn't mean I should. Wind is a wicked enemy. Don't be proud. I freaking need a cart! You are a lot stronger before you go out. You want help to load your boat. Don't try to load on an incline. Check different spot to put in and take out... Maybe at the base of the tower. My rudder is a big help.  A dry suit with a relief ripper is worth every penny you pay for it.

And that was my trip... Brought how two little bass.

Sounds like you learned a lot in a relatively short period of time and didn't pay too high of a price for the school'n.  That's great day then plus you caught something !

The wind is certainly a bugger when kayak fishing, from the standpoint of safety as well as getting the lure to the fish.  Sea anchors can sometimes help but using them takes practice. 

Did you see that it was a small craft advisory today rev?

Be careful out there, the Grays Harbor bar is not to be taken lightly. Conditions can change quickly out there and the currents and standing waves can be intense indeed. 

  Totally agree with micahgee......conditions can and will sneak up on the unprepared in a hurry.
 
  Glad you came out okay..and a few  rockfish for the pan helps.

  Better days and seas are coming........

If you mean the flag, then yes.  But that flag has only NOT been up one time that I have been out there.  It was great most of the day... I got in probably 5 hours of nearly flat water.  Not saying I should or should not have gone out... just that I did.  I welcome more knowledge from you guys who have been on the water more then I have though.

Hey rev - don't worry too much about what you did wrong. You did things right, too. Recognizing that things were deteriorating and heading in being the main one.  The only way you are going to gain experience is to go and experience things. Pushing your previous limit is OK in my book, as long as pushing it isn't running full speed past it.

A SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY MEANS THAT WIND SPEEDS OF 21 TO 33 KNOTS
ARE EXPECTED TO PRODUCE HAZARDOUS WAVE CONDITIONS TO SMALL CRAFT.
INEXPERIENCED MARINERS...ESPECIALLY THOSE OPERATING SMALLER
VESSELS SHOULD AVOID NAVIGATING IN THESE CONDITIONS.

NOAA posts Small Craft Advisories, heres an area link

http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?map.x=116&map.y=176&minlon=-124.8&maxlon=-120.57&minlat=46.2&maxlat=49.33&mapwidth=354&site=sew&zmx=1&zmy=1

Hey rev - don't worry too much about what you did wrong. You did things right, too. Recognizing that things were deteriorating and heading in being the main one.

+1

Thanks for the link. I will bookmark it.

  Sherminator--that was a great response.Nice and positive.That's one of the better aspectss of this forum..people helping others improve their knowledge,safety,and sharing fun times.Gotta love this stuff.

   revjcp--sorry if I came off negative.I want to see you be successful and safe too.

I didn't take anything negative.  Thanks for all the input. 

Monday looks awesome... But of course I am out of town. smh