Offshore Kayak Fishing: Surf, Swell, and Safety

Ocean kayak fishing is an absolute blast but the challenging conditions of the Pacific Ocean can make it dangerous as well. Here I cover the skills and equipment anglers need to have the safest trip possible on the big pond. In addition, I discuss swell vs wind waves, swell conditions, and how swell and wind waves can interact to create potential hazards for kayak anglers.
Best Sources for Forecasts:
NOAA: www.noaa.gov
Magic Seaweed (surf forecasts): www.magicseaweed.com
Equipment featured in this video:
Kokata Supernova Hydrus Angler Dry Suit: amzn.to/2yo5sYn
Safety whistle: amzn.to/3erxNxD
PFD: See this video • Best Kayak Fishing PFD
Handheld flares: amzn.to/2XNaAjA
Safety flag: amzn.to/3clFN1g
Handheld VHF Radio: amzn.to/34MzYHo
Thanks for watching. All purchases made through links help support this channel.

[@FamilyNick]

Somehow, I just found this video of yours! Fabulous information, as always! Thanks so much for all you contribute. I'm relatively new to the PNW, and new to kayak fishing, and watch and re-watch your channel all the time. I have a masters in wildlife biology, so I truly appreciate the science behind your content!

[@stuhill2565]

Having fished offshore in Central California for a few years now, this is by far the best explanation with graphics on how to interpret the data you are seeing for surface conditions. Well done.

[@machine_ruse]

Thanks for doing this. I live in SF Bay Area and am new to kayak fishing. I'm trying to learn as much as possible safety info before heading btb. This was immensely helpful.

[@brianb.3670]

Awesome!! Thank you for the info. Be well.

[@stephenjenkins117]

Excellent video. All such videos demonstrate self rescue without a crate full of gear, fish finder, rods etc. Obviously you don't want to dump all that in a demonstration, but if many of those things are tethered or attached when you capsize, it seems like it would complicate things.

[@stevewoods315]

Another great video Tyler. Thanks for geeking out for the good of the kayak people!

[@victoriameno2931]

This is so informative, really enjoy your content. Keep it up!

[@timmoore6055]

Nice shot of Cape Kiwanda. As we have great whites periodically off the coast, would it not be better to have a fish bag? Oh - and Pelican Brewery right at the takeout has great beer when you come back in.

[@eddyaruda486]

Very enlightening video. Ty. You are an excellent teacher and I appreciate your taking the time to help others.

[@billyharville7721]

Great information, clear and professional presentation. Thank you

[@Kevin-ib3io]

Excellent break down! Concise and info dense. Keep up the good work!

[@garychiang2568]

I have learned so much from your channel. This is yet another great video. Especially the cold water and safety videos they are saved videos on my phone that I review every season. Can you do a video on what to look for in a dry/wet suit?

[@russbowman6801]

Fishing in bays is another experience with tidal currents and levels. Waves are different too.

[@Ahmad-pu9ci]

Awesome video! Thanks so much!

[@edwin6709]

Absolutely educational thank you

[@GSCHAN-rw9bu]

I'll have to watch that another 3 or 4 times so it sinks in, but good info! I'm just getting acquainted with a 12' SIB, so hopefully, it'll be a little more forgiving than a kayak. My question has to do with safety, sort of. Did that not make you nervous hanging your fish over the side of your kayak? I'd be constantly fearful of something really big with a lot of teeth coming along to grab them, chain and all, and dragging me out to the Aleutians. Obviously, I'm a newbie to the PNW and salt water adventures, so my experience is limited to watching Jaws, probably one too many times. And THANKS for all the great info. I did at least draw some short strikes from some Kokanee a couple days ago, so I'm on my way.

[@ia6980]

Thank you! Can you create another video on this and tell us more on primary vs secondary swells and how to read them? Also how to calculate breaking beach swell for those who launch from beach. Also, when its the best time to launch, during high tide or low tide? And when its better to return? Thank you

[@JohnKlopp]

Awesome video and great content! New subscriber! 👍

[@dmnguye69]

Great video, wind is probably the single most determining factor I use for saltfishing. Not sure in open water if the coefficient plays a big role but for structure fishing we also avoid fishing when it's in the upper 70s or higher.

[@micahgelfand8282]

70s?!?

[@dmnguye69]

@@micahgelfand8282 sorry I was referring to tidal coefficient, but it really depends on the location. Some inlet are very dangerous with the strong tide at certain monthly cycles.

[@slacktide_angler]

Nice saltwater primer. I was quite surprised actually, considering I hadn't seen your saltwater kayak fishing adventures. I'd like to see more of possible!

[@spiltmilt]

Filming offshore has always been a real pain. The salt is hard on equipment and the lenses always get frosted from spray. I love fishing out there but filming is a whole other beast.

[@slacktide_angler]

@@spiltmilt I hope you'll eventually acquire a setup to do so. I'm new to saltwater kayak fishing with a new Revo and downrigger setup. Your kokanee tutorials adapted for ocean salmon would be absolutely dynamite...

[@awwwshucks443]

@@slacktide_angler I wouldn't recommend using a downrigger in the salt. It's very easy to have stuff go wrong out there. Snagging bottom in a constant swell even if it's a nice day is just a recipe for disaster. Using dropper weights and divers is very effective for salmon and a lot less hassle. A line counter reel really makes a big help, but even counting color on color distanced line works great. Overall KISS rule is the most important thing with kayak fishing.

[@slacktide_angler]

@@awwwshucks443 just saw this. Youre right, I can see how bad things can go. I do have a setup on my kayak right now, and don't go anywhere near bottom. I also run a lower lb rating braid, with a short piece of lower test line at the ball. I also have a knife ready to cut the line if it gets bad.

[@kingslew1866]

Thanks! Subscribed...

[@UcranianoUKR]

VHF radio operation requires ROC(M) certification in BC

[@dukenallow2673]

Very helpful. Thank you. Can you recommend the best source for these forecasts on the northern Oregon coast?

[@spiltmilt]

Magic Seaweed, NOAA, and WIndAlert

[@dukenallow2673]

@@spiltmilt Thank you.

[@miguelthefishermanporras6176]

Went to Monterey and the waves or swell was pretty bad. What's the best website to see a day ahead if kayaking will be good for the next morning.

[@spiltmilt]

I use a variety of websites. NOAA, MagicSeaweed, and SwellInfo

[@ianetheridge496]

Was this shot in the CB area? That's one familiar rock.

[@spiltmilt]

Pacific City

[@rja62b]

Do you recommend having a vhf radio with GPS? Or is that not needed if you're going to be on a kayak and wont be miles away from shore? Assuming SOS button will give gps coordinates

[@spiltmilt]

I recommend having GPS always

[@brianb.3670]

I have a question? Do you know of Kayak fishing groups one can join to help with all the basics. I have a kayak but I have only used it up on the all the lakes of Mt. Hood. My goal is to get out on the ocean. I have a fishing kayak with all the gear. Do you have any suggestions? Thanks Brian B

[@spiltmilt]

Most everyone organizes through Facebook groups like "Lower Columbia Kayak Anglers" or "Kayak Fishing Addicts Northwest"

[@MoorishDesign]

Hi, I'm new in ocean kayak fishing. Which app or website do you recommend to use for checking swells, wind, waves. I'm located in Northern California . Thank you

[@spiltmilt]

Links in the description

[@Steve-bi2rd]

I was on strawberry on my kayak and it all the sudden turned to white caps and I got 70 feet of line in my trolling motor and it stopped working

[@spiltmilt]

Scary! What kind of kayak and motor do you have?

[@Steve-bi2rd]

A lifetime Yukon with a minn Kota mounted to it🤣

[@miguelthefishermanporras6176]

Where are you located

[@spiltmilt]

Washington state

[@roberth.retallickr.n.8069]

What is the frequency of "Channel 16"? (*EDIT - 156.8*)Also, for anyone who is going to freak out about having some kind of licence, you will be happy dealing with the FCC if they choose to bother you if you used a radio without a licence to save your life. Find one case where it's happened? This country can't supply baby formula, much less bother with someone who used a radio to save their ass, illegally.