BIG LESSON LEARNED!!!Please READ!!!!

[Chad]

Okay,
I'm going to swallow my pride and post this to hopefully keep someone from getting hurt. To start, I fear very little while kayak fishing, first mistake. I am overconfident when it comes to the ability of myself and the craft. While fishing the eastern shore today for big reds I was pushing it a little to much and it almost cost me everything. I was in a new kayak that is the most stable ever (Malibu X-factor) and it gave me a false sense of security. I got drug into rougher water than I planned on fishing by a monster red and Murpy's Law kicked in, I'll give the full account at our next meeitng but will say I got flipped in the kayak long ways, in other words the tank well went over my head and I got slammed into the water very forcefully, then my paddle wrapped around my waist and entangled me (now upside down in the water) and my life jacket was pushing me up against the kayak, I was lucky my paddle bungee was dry rotted and I was able to break it and free myself while I was being pounded by the waves. After righting the kayak, climbing back on board and untangling my rod the fish was still on so (now in calmer water) I fought it in and finally landed it. Not having a ruler to measure it and nowing it was by far the biggest red I had ever seen I layed it on my paddle and scratched out a mark for the tale in the reflective tape on my handle. I measured it when I got home and it was 61 1/4". That said, no fish is worth dying for and that was the biggest gut check I have ver had in my life. I lost a $300 tackle box, my dry bag with $200 glasses, a $500 digital camera, my wallet, truck key and a few other things and I am still thankful that that is all I lost. A lot of stuff runs through your head when you think "this is it". I sit here a little more thankful for all the non-fishing related stuff that I take for grnated (and sometimes neglect) while fishing. So, tonight I will not be planning my next fishing trip in my head I'll be wondering what I can do with the family some of those evenings I normally fish because trust me gentlemen, as I was under that kayak I didn't think about that 61" red, I thought about Austin, Casey and my beautiful wife Elisa and just hoped I would get to see them again. I am ranting and venting a little, just think about this next time you get tunnel vision and fishing is "the most important thing" in your life. You will see me in the kayak again real soon but it will be with a different demeanor and a new found respect for mother nature and Mr Murphy.
Chad

[Trophy Fish]

Glad your alright. Your story does make one stop and think.

[vbsurffisher18]

GLAD TO HEAR YOU ARE ALL RIGHT THERE CHAD AND BTW THAT IS A HUGH RED
BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY YOU ARE OK[angel]

[Cory ruthless Routh]

Chad I am glad you were ok, Fishermans island (especially the surf) should only be attempted by experenced anglers. And even the pros should be careful. That place is too far away from immediate help. Thats why I want to mothership over there, not because I am lazy, but because it give us a quick way to render aid. There is a reason that few people fish that area, even with motorboats. Was there someone there to help you?

THis raises a question, how many of you guys know how to rescue yourself and how many of you can rescue others. I have been trained by an ACA instructor, but I hope I never have to use it. I am planning on getting him to do a rescue course for anglers for TKAA members. Stay tuned.

[JDSeiders]

Damn. Glad you're around to tell us yourself.

This is pretty much my wife's biggest fear as I contemplate going with a Yak. She wasn't overly thrilled as I read your account to her. I--like many of you, I imagine--am 'invincible' more often than I should be.

And I'll keep an eye open for any safety classes that may pop-up in the meantime...


P.S. Congrats on the drum!

[Jay Beeler]

Where were Ric and crew when all this happened ?? Suprised they haven't chimned in by now. Anyone else catch fish or was that it for the trip. Really wished I'd gone, maybe next time.

[Chad]

Ric is probably still fishing. Al, Ric and Greg had all wised up and opted to head for calmer water. But not me , no I had just had to break the 50" mark and I knew those reds would be in there. I have noone to blame but myself for not "calling it" sooner. Al and Greg were paddling in with there backs to me when I went over and I am sure they just thought since I didn't come in I was just "me being me". I will definitely stay close to somone if I ever attempt to go back there. Al caught a big red around 45-48 inches about fifteen minutes prior and I had landed three about that size in a very short period of time before hooking into the big one. They were killing the peelers.
Chad

[bassmanpete]

Chad, glad to hear you are ok.

Do this long enough and you WILL have a story or two to share. When disaster strikes it happens so fast you will be reacting, not thinking. Preparation is the difference between an accident and a tragedy. Glad you were only the former.

Sounds like you didn't panic, kept your head and got back on the boat in decent shape. Bummer about the gear, but that can be replaced. You are darn right that lives cannot. Everyone in a yak needs to flip it on purpose one day in calm water with no gear on board so you learn two things. One is how far you can actually push the boat before it flips. Two is what it feels like to go over.

Stay with a buddy. Much easier to get out of trouble if someone else is around to help you. Luckily there was no current to carry you out and away from the boat.

[George Z]

Chad,
Thanks for the brutally honest report. Been there, done that while yak surfing (no gear, thank God no entanglement) and it happened faster than you can say it. First of all, I'm glad you're okay, congrats on the great fish and sorry you lost the gear. I hope everyone reads this story and learns from it. You da man!
George

[Ryan J.]

First things first. I'm glad that you are ok! I'm sorry it happened to you, and I'm glad you posted it. That is definately the time to reflect upon the story and take some time out for other things in life that are important. Like your family :-) Mother nature should always have our respect as we trespass on her property every day. But I wouldn't think for a second I'd be in a kayak that flips tankwell to bow. Sideways is another story :-) I guess thats also a good story to keep my knife attached to my vest instead of keeping it different places almost every time I go out. Again I'm glad you are safe and posted the information for others to learn from instead of one of us reading about it in the papers to someone less experienced. Good job keeping a cool head for the time you were underwater.
Be Safe and I hope to see ya out there in a few weeks.

[BayDaze]

Glad to hear you are OK and congrats on the fish. Several important lessons to be learned from your experience. Know that you are quite an accomplished yak fisher, but does go to show that anything can happen to anybody...and I hope those new to the sport will really take that to heart. I'm sure we'll be discussing many of these issues at our next meeting, but until then, always buddy up.

[wpvboat]

You must have been in shallow water and hit from behind by a BIG breaking wave? End over end must have been a big hit on the water. I've taken a few big spills while surfing or dinghy sailing but none since I had any kids. That part can scare the crap out of you because you think, "who will take care of them". Not to mention missing them and the others you love. When I saw you at Ocean's East yesterday morning I had just come from HRBT where I decided to not go out because it was a little rough.

Congratulations on the huge fish. Glad you are ok. You didn't need all that gear anyway. Some of you need to go in the drink once in a while to lighten up those yaks![smile]

[gdb]

Chad, glad you are ok. We were practically surrounded by 6 foot shoals breaking around us. I watched in admiration as you fished right up against the breakers. However, once I saw that wave take flip Al and bury you, I got extremely nervous. The last thing I wanted was to fight a big fish, for I knew if I got turned sideways I was screwed. Al and I took a beating trying to clear the shoals. He got flipped twice and also lost alot of tackle. My rudder saved me. As long as I stayed straight and perpendicular to the wave, I was ok. However, one huge wave did carry me about 15 yards, I thought I wagoing to get completely flipped over. Once we cleared the shoals, the odyssey was still not over. Al and I could not find our way back. AFter 2 hours of searching,a gracious boater saw us struggling against the tide and offered to tow us to the mouth of the creek. I am glad I went on this trip, for it made me alot more confident in handling rough surf, but I would not do it again. I called you (Chad) last night to see if everything was o.k. talk to you soon.

greg

[StuckondaShore]

Chad you had me worring all nite!I last talked to Ric and said that you had lost everything,including your truck keys.

Screw the pics,tackle bag and all that other stuff,I am glad that you made it through,with a fish of a life time and yer life.

I too thought about my family when I got dunked,and not all the tackle in the world would I risk my life.


But other than that,I had a most fantastic trip,and I am glad to hear Corey chime in about the hazardous those shoals posses....I am quite fearless,but that was the more risky things I've ever done.

We all caught and released our reds,and made it home to hug and love our families..that was a an eventful day.

Special thanxs to Ric,fer the invite,to Chad....who took that wave and stood tall while I got in tha drink(the fish was still on!!!)and fer thakin that pic!and To Greg...a new friend that I made,and to fish 2gether with again.

[Salient Running]

Chad - Glad you're here to tell the tale. I know that I'll recall your story when I think of pushing the safety limits. I'm sure that your eating of humble pie will serve many. Thank you!

I've added a rescue (hook) knife to my safety items this year, as a result of recommendations on other threads. Your experience with the dry rotted paddle leash should prompt others to consider one. You were fortunate the leash was in this condition.

Fate, luck, or serendipity? Live long and prosper. [angel]

[Juke]

Chad,
Thats an awful long story to tell to say "I caught a big fish, and I don't have a picture". HAHA. Glad to hear your OK. I got the that feeling last year when I was showing off on a 2003 Honda 954RR. I was doing about 130 when I hit the next gear, and the front end came up just enough to give me front end wobble on a little road outside Chuckatuck. I was picturing my life flash in front of me as I was veering off the road and inching toard a ditch. I could see myself lauching into the air as I could not get my hand off the throttle and handing toward a culvert pipe. I gained control, and....no one took a picture. But I did drop my camera and smashed it up pretty good.

Glad to hear your OK.

[talestalker]

Chad we are all glad you made in back. I like the idea of adding a rescue knife to my vest. I always carried one when I flew. The new Outdoorlife magazine has a great article on making your own survival vest. A must read for all of us who go out in yaks.

[Chad]

I need to add something else. I have two rescue knives with me on the yak at all times. One is lanyarded to the seat back and the other was in my lifejacket. I couldn't get to each. I am also a former aviator and helicopter rescue swimmer and my physiology training and comfort in the water are porbably the reason I am typing this, however the moral of the story is "don't put yourself in those situations, I thought my experience and preparation made me impervious to the danger. They DON'T. Take my advice, and Corey's and Ric's and just don't risk it. I'll be honest and it sounds silly but it was, ironically-as Juke pointed out, all about the picture. I have caught many big fish in my life and have the pictures to prove it, so the reason I even mentioned the size of the fish was to further illustrate that it's not worth it. I will bet that Ric enjoyed his 38" fish more than I did the 61".
Chad

[StuckondaShore]

Chad.....I still want ta get up,with yak...and equipment.Will Tuesday be a good time....

I want test that Tarpon 104 vs the Prowler.......I lnow I'm gettin one of the two before I head out again with Ric.


You guys make this type of feeshin,truley addicting!!!!

[Va_Yakfisherman]

Chad, first thing first, I thank the good Lord for watching over you. and keeping you safe in a very scary place to be, upside down, topped over end to end and struggling against the surf, gear and the fish. You are a very good fisherman and I learn from you each time we fish together and am glad that there will be many more days to do that. Your point about looking towards the next day to fish is always a good one, but the better one is to look at time with your family. The next fishing day is always there, but if something happens to you then the family is forever gone.

We all should look at the situations at which we fish. I will repeat it again, NO FISH IS WORTH YOUR LIFE !! I the conditions go from good to worse, get out of the water, end of statement. Better you be able to fish another day, than never again. Loosing a big fish is better than loosing your life. Break it off and try again another day. Everyone someday in their kayak fishinglife will be faced with situations that you have to decide whether to fish or not, error on the side of safety and hit it again later.

Glad you are still with us Chad, put the paddle away, enjoy the family for a while and the fish will be there, I promise.[angel]

[boats]

Chad,

It's a good lesson, you need to get scared every so often to stay safe.

Those shoals are real dangerous. Good thing is you kept your cool and were in a boat that can self recover. The most dangerous boats fishing the shoals on the Eastern shore anchor close and are built open so if one dumps inside the game is over. I see it all the time and wonder if they ever think about what can happen.

I fish my flats boat in that area and even though people will ask me to anchor up close I won't do it. One wave inside and there is no way to get the water out before the next one hits. Another thing, help is a long way away. CG will not respond in a boat in the shallows and helo help is very slow to arrive. You are on your own.

Probably the safest way to fish them is use the Yak for access but get off and cast from the Sandbars when they expose at Low tide. There is some inside calm water Drum fishing too but they d like the open beach and surf best. Don't give up on it just consider it a lession and try again from the beach.

If you go for Corys mother ship idea there are a number of good spots out of paddle reach

Boats

[naked goby]

Glad you are alright Chad. Now on to the lessons

You got tangled up in your paddle leash and lucky for you it broke.

Not to mention any names but someone wrote an article not to long ago about fishing the ocean and that a paddle leash was a must when paddling through the surf.

Funny thing is if you go to any internet site where guys have to paddle through the surf to get thier fishing locations, they strongly recommend removing the paddle leash until you get past the breakers for the same reason that happened to Chad.

The fist time I went through the surf I got tangled in mine leash, luckily I was only in waist high water. The next time I flipped I had taken off my leash thank God. I can only imagine what you were going through.

And lets not forget, if it is valuable, secure it or you will eventually loose it like Chads dry bag.

Anyway, I'll step off my soap box. We all need a reality check every once in awhile. Hopefully Chad's will be enough for most of us.

[TAILWALKER]

Main thing here is that Chad is ok and I'm sure has learned many valuable things from this unfortunate event.

Bottom line is this, if you fish the shoals, and it does not matter if it is the shoals Chad was on or the shoals of Oregon Inlet they are all DANGEROUS and should be given a wide berth for the most part.

If you are going to fish them fish the cuts that intersect them or fish the fringes and unless you can get to high ground or anchor so that you can not be drug into the shoals like Chad was then you need to either break off the fish like Darryl said or lighten your drag such that you can paddle away from the shoals where you can fight the fish without fear of being drug back into them.

It is possible but with adrenalin pumping from a big hookup like this it's easy to get sidetracked and you lose you sense of fear.

I've fished these shoals for 9 years now out of the yak and this is exactly why I'm almost always the only person over there (whether by boat or yak) and why most people will not go back with me. You need to be in good shape (which thank god Chad is) and know exactly what to do in a bad situation like this (again thank god Chad did).

He is equally lucky that he didn't lose both his paddle or his yak and get stranded or worse yet swept away out to open water since it appears he was not fishing in sight of his friends at the time.

This brings up another issue. Since this area is so dangerous you should keep your fellow yakkers in sight at all time and make that a rule, otherwise bad things can happen and they can happen quickly like this situation. If you've never seen these shoals once they start they continue for hundreds of yards so if someone got into trouble on them you are NOT going to be able to get to them. These things are bad news.

I've probably got no room to talk as I often fish this area by myself but I stay in much safer waters when I'm alone.

This brings up several safety things you should always consider and follow when in areas that are dangerous like this. Always carry two paddles, two anchors and tie in all of your gear with very short safety lines which will not allow the gear to dislodge and the ropes get tangled on you if you end up in the water.

I do NOT use a paddle leash for this very reason. I've got one and have never attached it to my yak. My biggest fear is getting trapped in or under my yak. I started out in a sit in yak and you could easily get trapped in the yak in a situation like Chad was in so you want nothing that could hold you in the yak. On the sit on tops you pretty much only need to worry about things like paddle leashes, anchor lines, fishing line, etc.

You also should always have a cell phone and a vhf in a waterproof container that is secured. My biggest fear over there alone would be to get ditched and then have my yak get away from me. If it did I'd never be able to catch back up to it in those waters so I'd really be screwed. This is why my phone stays in a waterproof pouch (sealine) in one of my pockets. If I lose my yak I've at least got a phone and would get at least one call in at some point..

Also, it may not seem too far from one island to the next but I've been over there when storms blew up or the wind really cranked up against the tide and conditions got real nasty real fast and that distance seems to get a lot longer when those big waves start rolling in from an east or southeast wind. I've already had a situation where I took someone over there that was not in shape and he became exhausted in 25 knot winds and I had to tow them back over 2 miles in 25 knot winds and 2 foot seas.That was no fun and I'm much more selective on who I take over there now.

I'm sure that Cory would tell you all these same things but remember that while many new to the sport want to go to all of these places they hear about you really need to have some experience under your belt before you start tackling waters like this. Chad is very experienced and while I've only met him once I'm sure he will tell you that this place is as about as extreme as you will get in the Bay area. The only other place that I've experienced as bad is Oregon Inlet which I've paddled out of several times and probably has the worst tidal current I've every experienced anywhere with some of the most dangerous shoals on the east coast. It too is not for the faint of heart.

So let's all be safe and always let someone know where you are going and when you expect to be back so that if you get in trouble someone will know quickly so valuable time is not lost.

Chad, I'll probably be over there several times in the next few weeks and I know where most things from the shoals wash up so if I come across your bag I'll get in touch with you or call Cory.

Let us know if someone finds it before hand.

Glad you caught some nice fish, that at least makes some of it worth while. I'm sure those memories will last you a lifetime.

If your like me I'm sure you only told your wife some snippets of what really happened or they'd never let you out of the house again.

Tight lines,
Tim

[Chad]

Actually,
I am very used to fishing these kinds of waters and that was part (most) of the problem. Complacency and the feeling of "I got this" after you have done it for so long. I knew there was some risk involved paddling into Armaggedon and must say that with my menatality that was part of the appeal. This is the point I am trying to make. You can take every precaution in the world and there is still a sequence of events that, in that extreme environment, can unfold and cost you big time. I did put my rod in the rod holder and loosen the drag to head for calmer water to fight the fish, problem is the reel locked up and with it in the rod holder and 65 pound powerpro it pulled the nose under instantly and caused the tankwell to come over. Again, I knew most of the lessons learned here already, like secureing my dry back and all other gear. I was fishing from the new X-factor that I won in Jamaica Bay and figured there is no way I am going to flip this beast so I didn't take some of the precautions I normally take becasue I rigged the kayak in a hurry the night before. I to am experienced with the concept of not using the paddle leash in the surf and don't hook it up there. However, in the surf if you spill you can collect everything bak at the beach out there it is not telling where it will end up so I thought by making it very short there was not way it could possibley get wrapped, WRONG!!!!!!!!!!!
Chad

[Cory ruthless Routh]

I avoid fishing anywhere near breaking waves, and set my drag to avoid getting pulled into them. I have a break away leash for the surf, it will come loose if it meets great pressure. (USE THE SAME CABLE TYES AS YOU USE ON YOU BREAK AWAY ANCHOR.)

As far as entering and leaving the surf , I will store my gear under deck and disconnect my leash.

[Chad]

Alirighty then, I have licked my wounds, shared my lesson and had a nice hefty serving of humble pie. Now, I am not giving up kayak fishing and I am not giving up fishing the EDGE, not the middle, but the edge. So, it will not be weeks before you see me out again (I may be at the bridge tonight weather-permitting) and I will still push it a little. However, it will be with some serious perspective, reflection and due consideration for the environment and all possible senarios. See ya out there and my new cell phone will be in on Thursday, So I don't have anyones number anymore, bmail me your numbers so I can program them back in my phone. I'll back it up with a word document this time. Give me a call if you want to fish after my cell comes in at 348-2232.
Chad

[wpvboat]

I like Cory's idea of a break away paddle leash. Just make sure you use the right size cable ties; to small they might break when your paddle falls over, to big and you might not be able to break them off if trapped or tangled. And better keep the leash short or you might get tangled up in it anyway. I also like Tailwalker's idea about bringing an extra paddle which I have now. I can't figure out where to put it though. I guess inside the hatch and I would only need to go get it if my other one was lost. The tie down thing is a no win situation because if you don't tie it down, you may loose it. If you do, it can make it harder to get to or you may get tangled in it. I do lash down my dry bag in the back.

The big moral of this story is STAY AWAY FROM BREAKING WAVES unless you are entering or exiting the surf.

Tom

[sforrest]

Chad,
I wanted to thank you for sharing this horrible experience with the rest of us. As I write this, 497 people have read your story and I'm sure it has had a profound impact on each one. Some of my yak fishing buddies and I were in that area on Saturday. We stayed closer to shore because of the wind and rough conditions. I remember looking to the East and seeing all those breakers and thinking "It would really stink to be out in that." Glad you got your fish. Glad you got back safely. And I'm grateful you went public with a story that some would have rather kept to themselves.

Steve Forrest

[Juke]

Chad,
How does Captain Achad sound to ya?

And you beat the Whale.

[haoleboy]

sticking a swimfin or two down the back of your life vest is good thing to have if you lose your yak and have to swim. all the guys that surf the outside reefs here do that in case they break or lose there boards. yak fishing you better be a good fit swimmer. i am glad you are ok and you made this post. i flipped my yak in the surf and lost all my stuff but was pretty lucky i had no real problems. the leash tangle tripn is a real nightmare. i wonder if you tied it to the nose of the yakif it would keep it from wrapping around you. they have surf leashes that have release pins that pull out easy if you get tangled. mybe would be better to tie leash to yourself then could release it in emergency situation. i have surfed over 25 years and dont use a leash unless waves are pretty big because of the danger of being tied to the board. aloha, haoleboy

[outcast_]

Hey Chad glad to hear you made it to tell you story, and I'm sure this will stir the pot. Are you sure on the 61 inches?? The world record red was only 58.5 inches and weighed over 94 lbs.

[Chad]

I am very sure and am also aware of that fact, it just added to that sick feeling that I had in my stomach. That world record was also documented because it could be. You couldn't break the world record in VA even if you had 20 pictures on a tape measure and then ten more of it hanging on a scale. The only ones that could certify it are weigh masters and you can't bring the fish in. IGFA wouldn't certify it either because there is no protable scale that they will certify that goes that high and the record is based on weight not length. The only way to break that record is to catch it in a State that allows you you to keep a redfish that big. I have caught many redfish in the high 40 inch class and this fish dwarfed (in size and lentgh) any redfish I had ever caught or seen caught. If I caught the fish and new that it was a world record and had to kill it to certify it, it would swim away anyway. Do you know the guys name who caught that 94# fish, well, neither do I and it wouldn't be worth killing a fish that big and that old. I would get a picture of course, but that is it. By the way, there is an old Mexican man that fishes the jetties in Aransas Pass Texas that has picutres of several redfish over 100 pounds. The 94 pound fish is just the biggest one someone took in to get certified.
Chad

[Juke]

We used to run Batta Boats on the beach at night in Florida. We would sometimes catch giant reds in nets and cry as we put them back in the water, thinking about how much fun tha fish would be to reel in. Good catch Chad.

[ltlbull]

Chad,

I am glad you are ok and thanks for testing my new kayak for me! You didn't tell me that it's first ride out was kind of rough? LOL.....

I have been talking to my friend at work and we might plan on some mothership trips in the bay and offshore if you are interested. I have a 23' Dusky in the bay and a 38' Bertram down in Hatteras for offshore. As you know the kayak you sold me is my first so I am learning. Maybe when I get up to speed we can try some trips together............

l8r,

Jimmy

[The Old Man]

Chad, I'm glad you are okay. I'm also glad you have a new-found sense of safety.

This is why I won't paddle in surf, high winds, or heavy current. I check the forecast and call off a trip if it's too snotty. I love my wife and kid too much to risk it for a few stupid fish.

Best regards, glad you are well...

-- Doug