Got dunked twice one day in 49-50F water while Tog Fishing (Nov 20)

[ComeOnFish]

I got dunked twice on Nov 20, while Tautog kayak-fishing at Kipto. The water temp was 49-50F. This wasn't what I expected after not fishing for 2 1/2 months after an injury. In the past, I had practiced self rescue in warm and cold water often, and I had enough real self rescue experience in both warm and cold water.

I turtled the kayak in the morning. I lost all tools on the cockpit, and baits and food in the cooler. I had everything else (cooler, tackle bag, paddle, rod) tethered to the kayak

I always carry two of everything (cloths, food, bait) in case of getting turtled. I came back to the truck and went out again with bait.

I got dunked again in the afternoon. This time I made sure that the kayak stay upright.

I caught two togs at 13”. In the evening I fished Rudee Inlet and caught an 18 inch redfish.

For the water temp 49-50F and Air Temp 50-54F I wore the followings. I wasn't planning to stay in the water more than 5 minutes. Usually during practice, Self Rescue took between 10 seconds and 1 minute depending on number of gears on the kayak.
But in real rescue, It takes 2-5 minutes with video-taping.

FYI, I had about quart of water in the wader for both time. - This is an incurate statement. I should have said "averaged". Corrections made on Nov 25th below:

First time: 0.5 quarts for 2 minutes in the water and the non-stretchable belt was very tight
Second time:1.5 quart for 2.5 minutes in the water and the belt was not very tight

Top – Under armor shirt + 2mm neoprene wetsuit jacket + Fleece Jacket + wind breaker
Bottom – 2mm neoprene wetsuit pants + 3mm neoprene waist-high wader

I am done with Tog-fishing because the water is too cold for tog (below 50f). I guess i will be heading for St.Jerome Creek for stripers next time

Joe

[russ498]

Two turtles in a Hobie Outback was enough for me to sell it at a loss and buy a Pro Angler. 50 degree water is nothing to play with. It can kill you in a hurry.

[J.A. Veil]

I'm glad you made it out okay. Two capsizings in one day is no fun.

[CB kayak 02]

In the video you were so nonchalant.... I think you said... " I flipped oh well" haha It's good to be calm and confident when you in the water and not in the yak

[kuljc]

Is a hobie outback that unstable? It doesn't look that bad there in the video (I know kipto can get crazy though). Just wondering (for the off chance that my wife ever lets me buy another yak).

[CB kayak 02]

Is a hobie outback that unstable? It doesn't look that bad there in the video (I know kipto can get crazy though). Just wondering (for the off chance that my wife ever lets me buy another yak).

Comeonfish was in a Hobie REvo 13, Russ's reference was to his own experience of turtling a Hobie outback. Every kayak can flip, it's all a matter of how comfortable each angler is and how they position themselves during the activities of kayak fishing.

[HokieDJ]

The water didn't look too rough. What happened? Leaned too far trying to find the holes?

[Memory Maker]

glad you're safe .......... and glad I have a PA

[ComeOnFish]

Is a hobie outback that unstable? It doesn't look that bad there in the video (I know kipto can get crazy though). Just wondering (for the off chance that my wife ever lets me buy another yak).

Kuljc and HokieDJ

It was A USER ERROR!!! I don’t blame on the kayak. I goofed.
I weigh 150 lb. I wasn’t watching surroundings carefully all the time that day. I gave up CBBT in the morning because CBBT was not kayak-fish-able at all.

There is a deep drop-off (70-80’ deep) 2 -3 miles North of the ships. The north wind of 8-15 knots can created 3 – 4 foot surges when the bottom changes from 70’ to 30’. I had 4 foot surges that day often without the warning (no sound of waves coming). I knew that within 10 minutes of fishing. But I wasn’t paying attention to the 4 foot surges that SIENLENTLY BROADSIDED ME often that day

Here is something unique on a Hobie with the Mirage Drive compare to the regular kayaks. I suspected the following all the time on the Hobie, Adventure and Revo:

A Hobie with Mirage Drive is not as stable as other regular compatible kayak when:

The wind and the water flow to the opposite directions, and at the same time the kayak is broadsided by the wave. I noticed this several times when the wind blows at 15-20 knots. I think it is because of the fins of the Mirage Drive. The current pushes the Mirage Drive to one direction and the wave (wind) pushes the kayak to the opposite direction.

My Hobies were unstable when broadsided by big waves (or strong wind) when both fins are pointing down . Incase wind at15-20 knots, I loosen the seat straps first so that I can lie flat on my back. Before I got broadsided by big wave, I kept the Mirage fins folded side way and lie on my back flat. Many times I forgot to fold the mirage fins flat, I got scared. The waves lifted a side of the kayak while the Mirage Fins were held under the water. It felt like someone (wave/wind) is pushing me while my ankles (Mirage Drive Fins) are held

Don’t get it wrong. Hobie is great when pedaling against the wind (90 degree) and pedal with the wind (270 degree).


Kuljc, see the below video about a Hobie. No regular kayak can move forward againt 4-5 waves. You can not use a paddle in 5 foot waves. I love Hobies:

Joe

[russ498]

Is a hobie outback that unstable? It doesn't look that bad there in the video (I know kipto can get crazy though). Just wondering (for the off chance that my wife ever lets me buy another yak).

Absolutely no problems with an outback. I'm a big guy, old and not very flexible. The Pro Angler is as stable as a tug boat. It just fits me and my style better. I intended to buy outriggers to go with the Pro Angler, but quickly became confident in it's stability, and changed my mind. I regularly go into the bay with 2 foot seas without concern.

Ps. Even being confident, I still installed a rescue ladder and practice getting in the yak from the water. Turtling can happen on any size or type of boat, not just yaks.

[ronaultmtd]

Joe- Small craft warnings are just that- small craft are in dangerous waters- Crazy water to try to launch and get out- I have been caught out in those seas, but never put out in them- getting in during a storm I made sure that I kept the angle at 45 degrees or 90 degrees with the breakers- I don't think most kayaks even the 33 (+) inch wide kayaks can take a broadside 4-5 foot breaker without rolling over- I think my Outback is much more stable in rough waters than my Ocean 13 Prowler- although my Prowler is the boat I would take if launching from the surf- even still, when a large wave comes at me i push one of the peddles all the way down to have the fins flat against the bottom and not act as a fulcrum against me- same as when I am in shallow water- I push one peddle to its limit and paddle out of shallow water-

[Shady]

Wow, glad you are ok. I found it hard to breathe (as if I was in the cold water) just watching! Be careful with anchoring when in rough seas, that can lead to turtling too.

[Sun]

Thanks for sharing your experiences, Joe. I'm glad you made it out okay. That was a clever way to end the video. haha.

My 2 yr-old son got some excitement watching the video as well.

[docirv]

Wow, You are very lucky to be okay. I guess there is a lesson in there somewhere.... like do not go out in higher seas alone or maybe stay home in the colder weather or maybe use outriggers in the rougher water. In any case glad you are okay and thanks for posting the video.

[tufnik]

Just goes to show you how unpredictable the situation can get. We're only human and things can go wrong even when we're careful. Anyway, glad you're Ok, Joe. With your experience not only as a yak fisherman, but also as a self-rescue practitioner, you handled it very well. Twice, I might add. Thanks for sharing the video.