Escondido Perfect Storm report

[Toad Patrol]

Launched at Escondido today cause the attendant at Westward is charging $12 bucks to get in. If you go before he gets there (7-7:30am) it's $2 from the parking ticket machine. I just can't take that kinda ripoff bullsh*t.
So plan B- drive to Escondido. I thought I'd check out the kelp edge for some bass on the way up. Maybe some barracuda at the BKR? Caught only a coupla small Calicos on a Big Hammer 5"red sparkle so paddled past the Point to the deep zone and caught a coupla nice reds on a Diamond Jig with squid.
Around 10 or so, here comes the wind. Mixed with a serious bump, I take a few waves into the kayak, pop the hatch, and I got some serious water in the boat.  Something's leaking. My old fiberglass Ocean Kayak is only 37 years old,( a lot younger than me!) and I lost the gasket on the hatch about 10 years ago, resined over the scupper holes in the footwells, so basically I'm asking for it by now. Pull out the pump I've had in the pouch behind my seat, but saltwater has frozen the diaphram and while I'm fiddling around with it another wave crashes in and fills up my boat. Yikes!
I try to head back towards Paradise Cove to land and drain my kayak, and I'm cautiously paddling, despretely trying not to lose my precarious balance, as water sloshes back and forth inside. Outside the kelp at the BKR another wave pushes me over, the boat flips and I'm in. Whooppee! Wasn't expecting a swim, but I'm only about a 1/2 mile offshore, and just pissed off, not worried.
Where's my PFD you might ask? Hell, I've got three of em.( in my garage) Just use em for tournaments or severe surf conditions. It's tough to swim with a PFD on, (that's my excuse) and I don't use a bike helmet either. I've told myself and anyone else who would listen "don't paddle farther out than you can swim in". Guess I can prove my point now.
After pushing/pulling my water filled kayak (too full to climb back in)
over all the kelp, I finally swim in to the beach 2 1/2 hours later only to get hammered in the shorebreak with a kayak too heavy to pull out. With much grunting and groaning, finally drain the boat and relaunch to finish my paddle down to Escondido in some pretty strong winds and chop. I think I've already used "draggin my sorry ass up the beach " in another report , but it could certainly apply here as well. What a great sport!
MY daughter said,"Sounds like a good workout Dad, glad your OK"
Yeah, me too...
So let's review:  No working bilge pump-Stupid!No PFD-Stupid! No radio/flares/whistle-Stupid!Stupid!Stupid! Fishing instead of working? GENIUS!

-Scott

[Spike]

Before anybody starts offering condolences, you should know this is not the first time the Skipper of the Toad Patrol has proven to be more seaworthy than his boat.  Like he really woukld have called for a rescue had the phone and radio been carried and packed in a dry bag.  Readers ready to take his head off should know Scott is the co-originator of Ocean Kayak (a fact I learned from Tim Niemier personally) and has been doing this kind of kayak fishing "research" for nearly 4 decades.   People talk about me or Angler/philosopher Jimbo Meador as being the "first kayak fishermen"...guess what?

Lastley, I believe kayak fishermen are G-d and Mother Nature's entertainment, especially in the surf, and they wouldn't let Scott off that easy or this soon.  As you can see, I'm a pretty spiritual guy and I'm glad you're OK too man.   

[jscott]

Scotto's had some other close calls...but the experience keeps him calm, cool, and collected to deal with the situation.  That is one of the most important things-- not to freak out.  To strategically assess the situation and deal with it as it comes.  Just a reminder to all of us (newbies especially) it can happen to anyone-- you need to be prepared, and have the knowledge/skill, to deal with whatever COULD come up-- (It evenutally will!). 
From first hand experience-- nothing is more sobering than opening your hatch to a quickly filling kayak!  Happened to me-- had to swim mine ashore once.  Scott's not joking when he talks about dealing with a full kayak in the surf!  It weighs a ton there when full of water-- and if you're not careful, a runaway full kayak can really cause some damage. 
Know what you are doing, be prepared, STAY CALM, and deal with the situation.  If you are not 100% at that level-- make sure you at least have a fishing buddy with you who is at that level.
Scott-- until next time-- looks like you will be spending some time repairing the "toad patrol" again!  Maybe a thresher hit the squid you have painted all over the thing!   
Take care buddy,
Jason

[Spike]

Halfway into the story I just asked if he came home with the boat.  I think it's time to put Scott in a "new" Toad Patrol.

[EFISH]

Thanks for sharing the story Scott,  glad you made it out ok.  JScott how about a picture to go with your post.  I know you got  a few   if not I DO!!!!! .
Peace out
EFISH

[jscott]

OK...OK!     Here is swimming the swamped tank to the beach!



Eric,
Thanks for being my tow partner and capturing my once in a lifetime (hopefully!) experience!

[EFISH]

  God I love that shot 
Peace Out
EFISH

[Toad Patrol]

Sorry my report had so little fish catching in it and too much "Doh! is me", next time a giant halibut or WSB will be the topic.  I won't post till I have something to brag about. Promise.
You all are right though; safety should be the utmost importance. The ocean has no mercy, and does'nt give a damn about your experience. Your next screw-up might be your last.
I gotta tell you though, in this particular situation, as scary as it may have seemed to some, if I had a PFD, I woulda of probably taken it off to swim easier. I've only been in the water a few times with a PFD on, and getting on your stomach to swim was really difficult. They're great if you're hurt or unconcious and waiting for pickup, and don't want to sink. I wear mine when the surf is big or in unfamiliar waters. Or at least have it strapped to my boat. I have a waterproof VHF radio, but rarely take it with me, and I don't think I would of called for help, I wasn't hurt or being blown out to sea, just a damn long swim to the beach. If Baywatch had come along, I might of asked for a tow to the beach, but what else could they have done? Unless they have a kayak bilge pump on board.
Nobody intends to get wet, but we are in kayaks for christs sake, and falling in is part of the deal.  Most of the time it's a few feet from shore, not out a long way and in the kelp, but don't think all the safety stuff will keep you dry. I agree a PFD, radio, flares etc. are all important safety gear and for the most part required for safe and sane kayaking. (That leaves me out)
Pt. Dume is my backyard, I fish there all the time, and the beach and surf were mild and safe. The water was brisk but not hypothermic, (And I carry some extra insulation) I've got lots of diving experience in kelp, and if the winds were real bad woulda tied up the boat and just swam in, and waited it out.
But I sure do need to perform some deferred maintaince on my kayak. It may be old, Like a beat up WWII jeep, but I've caught some big fish on it traveled all around with it, and have a very strong affection for the "Toad Patrol". Go figure. ( I actually have 3 more in my backyard)
BY the way, anybody know where to find an 8" circular hatch gasket? I've looked in boat shops and on the internet, but no luck or a more reliable pump?
You know, the Sierras sure sound nice about now, my kids are out of school in a few weeks, and Jackson and I are getting pumped for our annual week of kayaking Bishop, Mammoth and June. Anybody want to caravan?
The more the better around the campfire.
TL,
Scott
P.S. Spike thanks for the vote of confidence, us "over experienced old farts" gotta stick together...

[Spike]

Scotto,
You may be suprised to know that there is a startling number of kayak anglers who have been fishing a year or 2 and have NEVER done a wet exit/re-entry in open water.  More rescues than I can tally on that account.  I remember Falcon at Dan Blocker SB with a 300# guy treading alongside his Fish and Dive.  I slid up, put a hand behind the guy's head and he popped right up.   The hand behind the head  often creates enough leverage for the tired swimmer to get back onboard.

The vote of confidence was my knee jerk reaction about the PFD...and the new Forum.  I think in 14 years, the most hate mail I've received is over images without PFD's and PFD related stuff.  The second highest section of hate mail has been over shark fishing and the third just might be whiney, sniveling, self perceived competitors to Kayakfishing.com.  Too funny, I always figured it means we're doing a good job.

Call West Marine for that seal or Viking Marine (I think they make an 8 incher).

For readers-The Toad Patrol is a fiberglass kayak that Scott made with Tim Niemier (and sold a thousand or so longbefore many kayak anglers were born) and is the predicessor to the OK Scrambler.

Lastley, the baywatch boat does indeed have a bilge pump.  Remember the 2004? New Years day rescue?

[Sea Weed]

If those marine places don't have it try Mc Master Carr or Delta Rubber , California Rubber ECT. I'm sure they have something you can make one from
         Jeff