rogue wave

 Yesterday morning I went out to Sunset for a little fishing. The water was pretty choppy. I could tell that fishing would be difficult and slow at best, but I had already taken the time to load up and drive out so I pressed on.
  I had one bite but ultimately my little jig came up sans fish every time. After about an hour of fishing the little island on the north and the south point with no luck I decided to head back in.
  On the way back in I thought I would throw the dice once more and try fishing behind the rock pile that is in the center of the mouth of the bay. It was high tide. The top of the water was about 3 feet under the top of the rocks. The swells were so small that they were barely covering the top of the rocks. So I kicked back in the little eddy behind the rocks and started casting.
  Everything was great for a few minutes. The swells would come and make things rocky for a couple seconds, but for the most part it was a comfy place to park and fish. But then I saw it! A swell was building and it looked a lot bigger then the swells I had been seeing. I just sat there and took the thing in for a few seconds, then I realized I might be in trouble. I had never seen a "Rogue Wave" before, but this thing had all the signs. I started reeling in line as fast as I could, put the pole down and grabbed my paddle. By the time my paddle was in hand the wave was starting to roll at about 20 feet and closing. Instinct was screaming to turn tail and paddle away from that thing, but some good advice and a little surf practice kicked in and I paddled as hard as I could toward the wave.
 I was sure that I was about to take a swim as the giant wall of wave and white wash thundered toward my kayak. But rather then getting flipped my kayak just got swallowed by the wash. The entire front of my kayak including my legs, fishing pole and fish finder were covered by water. The wave held me despite my paddling and carried me from about ten feet in-front of the rock, well into the bay. Finally I was able to paddle my way out of the wash and turn the kayak toward shore. The second wave of the set caught me and gave me a ride (forward this time) another thirty feet into the bay.
 And just like that, the two or three hours that I have spent playing around with my kayak in the surf saved me from taking a swim and a potentially bad situation.
 As I paddled in the rest of the way I saw Bluetrident wisely driving off the beach......with his kayak still on top of the rig. Good Choice Royg.
   

Glad to hear you are safe and it turned out well.
 I have a hard time NOT watching the incoming swells for that very reason.
Never been in one, and I hope to keep up that record.

Instinct was screaming to turn tail and paddle away from that thing, but some good advice and a little surf practice kicked in and I paddled as hard as I could toward the wave.
 
And just like that, the two or three hours that I have spent playing around with my kayak in the surf saved me from taking a swim and a potentially bad situation.

Some wise words here.  Practice, practice, practice.  I glad you've BTDT and it's paid off.

Just another day on the big blue ...

-Allen

Yep, set waves will get you. Sneaky buggers. For those not in the know waves come in "sets" of one to almost never ending. There may be breaks where the ocean is calm but always be aware and in tune with those spider senses. The breaks in between these sets can be 20-30 minutes long. Monitor the horizon and make sure you're fishing near some deep water. If you go to that deep spot when the waves come you have a very good chance the wave won't break there.

Glad everything turned out ok merlin.

Z

Thanks for the story Merlin, and glad you are OK.  A good reminder to stay alert and what to do when things turn.  I'll remember what to do but hope I never need it.

Alan

And i was pissed that you didn't invite me to go.....


See what happens when you don't invite me to go.....

Glad you're okay Merlin! I know the spot you're talking about and I am always very cautious when passing through that area. I too have given thoughts to try fishing along that inside dropoff, but that whole area is like a bottleneck for the incoming swells. While at the beach here in Florence yesterday with the dogs, I noticed some huge breakers coming in. I would guess close to ten footers. I wouldn't have wanted to be out in that in my yak!

Dave

 Sorry Roy. Going was a spur of the moment decision, and to be completely honest I kind of assumed that the south coast hardcore would be out there any way.

Sorry Roy. Going was a spur of the moment decision, and to be completely honest I kind of assumed that the south coast hardcore would be out there any way.

I was just messin with ya. I checked it out at like 7:30-8:00. I had already fished a few days in a row so i was kinda burnt.

 Well I am determind to get some points on the board next week so let me know what your plans are. If the bay is blown out maybe we can hit one of the lakes for some trout or bass. Or maybe we can go after some of Goldendogs perch.

Sounds good. What day is good for you ?

Wednesday and Thursday work best, but I could probably make it on Tuesday or Friday if need be.

It's looking good for Friday. 4ft swells and 10mph wind in the morning. I would be game if conditions hold.

Dave

It's looking good for Friday. 4ft swells and 10mph wind in the morning. I would be game if conditions hold.

Dave

I'll try to be there Friday

 Sounds good