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
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
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 
