Kayak Fails, How NOT to Launch a Kayak in the Ocean

[@AndrewUnruh]

I live in CA and launching into the surf is a given. One obvious tip is to time the set so you launch into the smallest waves...as soon as you are in, point into the waves and paddle like hell.

[@davidmalone9022]

Man, I can't thank you enough for that video. I just moved to Loreto, Mexico and brought two kayaks with me. One is a nice, stable sea kayak. The other is just a bit smaller. My first attempt at putting the lighter one in the water was on a day with surf about half what you were facing on most of that video and it was completely embarrassing. I couldn't get anywhere before the swell turned the kayak sideways and threatened to upend me. I finally gave up and dragged my kayak off the beach with my tail between my legs. It's nice to see that even the most experienced of kayakers (that would be you) finds launching in surf a challenge.

[@BIGYAKRFISHING]

Thank you very much for the comment and compliment. Read some of the other comments on here regarding understanding the surf. The more you practice the easier it will be. You will also learn when and when not to launch. Unfortunately this last summer during my ocean vacation I didn’t get one day to fish the ocean because the swell was just too big. I must admit I’m jealous of your opportunity. Good luck in your future launches.

[@shred5]

Thanks for the laughs, glad no one was hurt and it looked like you recovered all your gear as well.

[@BIGYAKRFISHING]

Thanks for watching, I’m here to entertain or at least let you learn from my stupidity 😂 😂

[@ocbeachfishing]

That's how I learned how to launch. You study the pattern, and when you know what type of wave is when you move in and don't stop..if you hesitate for a second then most likely you will get hit by a breaker! The first time, second-time success! The third time the ocean reminded me who was in charge...lol I flipped 3 times! The last time I flipped the kayak (cobra) hit me in my head and body.I felt the hit but the adrenaline kept me up! I had sand in places I didn't know I could get sand in! I took a second and I looked at the ocean and told myself...If I don't make it this time then I call it! I launch successfully and had one of my best fishing days. I caught over 50 bass! I go out by myself cause other kayakers are afraid of launching from the beach and simply being in the open ocean. I enjoy it and feel at home! My place of happiness!

[@BIGYAKRFISHING]

Thanks for sharing. I’m with you on it being the place of happiness. Each of these fails were different times, with the exception of the first one the other fails were always followed by a success. We were camping and went out every morning. For some reason i couldn’t get it the first time lol.

[@ridder4629]

Love the emotional support from the wife! Mine would be doing the same thing, you go have fun on your little kayak, I’ll sit on the beach filming you get hammered and laugh!! Haha fun video thanks for sharing

[@BIGYAKRFISHING]

Thanks for watching and glad you enjoyed.

[@chazbickel4518]

A cool feature with the Hobies they have reverse. When you come back in to land, rather than trying to surf in forwards (hobies dont surf) come in using reverse and keep the bow pointed into the waves. When a wave comes use the paddle to move towards the white water and punch through. Then go back to using the drive in reverse. It's a good way to do it , give it a try. A lot of guys out there were anglers before they were kayakers. A kayak lesson with self rescue skills , launching and landing techniques, and a little insight into kayaking will only increase your ability to get out there and catch fish.

[@BIGYAKRFISHING]

Yes the backward technique is something I’ve seen. Luckily during this trip, landing was much easier than launching for me lol.

[@chazbickel4518]

@@BIGYAKRFISHING sometimes in the surf there really isnt a good way to do it when the swell is big and it takes a few tries to make it. You were doing good trying to keep the kayak into the waves. The most important thing I've learned is to have my gear strapped down because sometimes you flip. All part of the game.

[@rayz671]

I just surf it in with the bungee attached to pedals. Or time the waves and ride the back of one in. Jump off as soon as I know it's waist high or just ride it all the way in.

[@n2olowen2olowe35]

Thank you sir. First laugh I've had all day. That's great. You just gained another subscriber!

[@BIGYAKRFISHING]

You are very welcome, it was definitely meant to entertain. Thank you for the sub.

[@martinmansera3497]

Dude !!! I feel you Brother !!! I live on the central coast and I kayak fish as well . 98 percent of my launches are beach so its almost every time sketchy at best . Landing is stressful as well mainly because my Son comes with me most of the time . Thank you for the video and content. 🎣🤙

[@BIGYAKRFISHING]

How old is your son? I try to get mine 17 year old out wit me but he has no interest. My launches probably wouldn't be as bad but unfortunately on Long Island it is always a shore break. I still love Ocean fishing the best, just don't live close enough to do it that much. Thanks for the comment.

[@kristaps2010]

I was shocked when first time went sea kayaking. Could not get in the sea. Tried to launch in UK Seaford, pleasant beach but it was tiny bit windy. I have Gumotex Safari 300 with drain holes what helped a lot to empty water and little stones from my kayak. Sea kept smashing me, I felt like being in washing machine. Wave would hit my inflatable kayak and turn us over. After some good 15 min struggle I got smarter, studied wave pattern but simply can't be done first time!

[@BIGYAKRFISHING]

Thanks watching the video and sharing your experience

[@rayz671]

Send it! Lol. Hope u didn't lose much gear. Looks like a better spot to launch just a bit to the right

[@BIGYAKRFISHING]

Lost my hat but ironically found it in the waves when I finally made it out. You are correct, as the sets were coming in there would be open windows like what you saw on the right. I just had to be more patient.

[@dicungDon]

This is why I am getting a Stealth kayak. Making surf crossing so much easier.

[@BIGYAKRFISHING]

Saw the stealth, they are perfect for the surf. Too narrow for me.

[@salteastsimon]

I now know that you gotta go in a rip that lays down the waves or find a deep hole to launch over, that way the waves don't crest where you launch, never tried ocean kayaking done plenty in the sound in NC. but Literally noticed the rip to your right . What you went through is my worst fear on my style kayak as everything will fall out. Maybe ill wait till i can get a peddle drive .

[@miamiwax5504]

This was tough to watch. The whole time I'm yelling SEND IT! at my phone 🤣

[@BIGYAKRFISHING]

So was brother in law lol.

[@paulwlash6882]

So just to summarize 1) put yourself between the ocean and your kayak, 2) dont time the sets and count waves per set, 3) get in chest deep water before jumping into kayak ...check, check and check :)

[@BIGYAKRFISHING]

@@paulwlash6882 😂 good summary. each year I learned something new. Actually we came up with an even better system. Wait for the set to come through, jump on the kayak and have your buddy give you a big push to get you started. Usually the last guy is the most experienced 😂.

[@jamesmauro9058]

You did it!!!

[@jimmyg3855]

Sometimes slack tide launches are necessary 🤣 surge sucks!

[@BIGYAKRFISHING]

Slack tide doesn’t help in they area. Sometimes high or low tide could make a difference I guess but unlike the Carolinas this beach profile causes the waves to break on the beach almost all the time despite tides.

[@imranjutt.9083]

Any body can measure the ocean 🌊 wail standing out side of the sea but the real man will face the vaves and go through it that's the spirit of the real Sea man.

[@miamiwax5504]

Dumb question but are fish finders waterproof?

[@BIGYAKRFISHING]

For the most part yes. But corrosion will set in on the connectors if you don’t keep them clean. Marine grease usually does the trick.

[@barbaralennonmarbar2613]

Good job saving the gull.

[@hjjhhghjh]

“Oh good god…hehehehe” 🤣

[@shotgunaaron]

That was hilarious. You gotta paddle harder brother 🙂

[@syked-upadventures6019]

Did you lose any gear?

[@BIGYAKRFISHING]

Lost my hat on the one where I abandoned the kayak. When I did make it out about 100 yards off shore I found it just floating there. Didn’t lose anything else though. Tie everything down or store inside the Yak.

[@robbieharvey]

try holding the tail of your kayak on a lease when you come in to shore...

[@CKayaks]

Think it was fail #3 or so where the boat ran into your shins. I physically cringed. A health & safety recommendation...stay on the ocean side of the kayak if you're off the boat. When the wave washes in there is less chance of the boat taking you out. Had a friend get it mid-shin one trip. Nasty break. He was in a cast and rehab for months. And that was in a lighter, sit-inside kayak, than your fishing rig. Have fun out there! The ocean, is indeed, much more fun than the bays. Enjoyed the video.

[@BIGYAKRFISHING]

Thanks for watching the video and thanks for the advice. My brother in law who was filming told me the same after that happened. Hopefully next summer I can use this experience and be more successful.

[@keenfisha]

I would love to launch in such small swell.

[@tranquility9325]

Maybe you should stick to fishing small lakes😂😂😂😂😂j/k glad you finally made it

[@BIGYAKRFISHING]

I know right. The fish in the ocean just taste better to me, they keep drawing me out there.

[@jimmyg3855]

I think I know that area !

[@bartallenberry1190]

Honestly - take a white water paddling class.

[@bensonholland2848]

Wow. Just walk it out.

[@BIGYAKRFISHING]

Too steep of a drop off.

[@TexasBarnRats]

Dude, you picked the worst section of the beach. You could've tried launching 100 yards either direction and caught an outgoing rip. Also, count the swells and time them accordingly. Typically every 7th to 8th swell is larger than all the others. It varies. Just stop, observe, count, and act accordingly.

[@BIGYAKRFISHING]

Problem is that this beach isn’t consistent and the waves break on the beach causing zero rips on either side. Most of the beach on high tide looks the same. Thanks for watching.

[@achristianson4059]

Damn… last August La Jolla shores. Lol I’m probably on here

[@mauricioursine1396]

Not an easy day to launch!!

[@BIGYAKRFISHING]

Honestly I think it was easier than I made it look. I need to get better at reading my “waves window”. Thanks for the comment and thank you for watching.

[@WTS39RU]

I think that a woman's laughter off-screen is inappropriate. You could get injured and lose your kayak.

[@BIGYAKRFISHING]

LOL. I will make sure i tell my wife, she was the one that laughed..

[@WTS39RU]

My wife doesn't laugh. She criticizes me. She doesn't scold, but she criticizes.

[@WTS39RU]

She's making a video. Then I look at everything carefully. Your videos are very useful.

[@BIGYAKRFISHING]

@@WTS39RU 😂 thank you very much. He just happened to film the first one. I used the laugh track multiple times. Thank you for watching the videos.

[@WTS39RU]

I have no experience in kayaking. But I want to buy a similar kayak. However, the problem of overcoming the surf will arise. That's why I'm learning from experience.