Tomorrow's the day

[CybrSlydr]

We're finally getting out and fishing on Kayaks!

Went and rented them from a local shop, a Vibe SeaGhost 110 and a Wilderness Systems Ride 115. Couldn't be happier with the staff at our local shop, Marietta Adventure Company. They were obscenely helpful in getting the kayaks attached to the top of my Jeep. Really great thing is we're using them tomorrow and they allowed us to come pick it up today so we can leave bright and early tomorrow morning and have them back by 6pm.

We are SO STOKED for tomorrow!!!

 

[Chris]

Sounds like fun. I keep thinking that's something I'd like to do when the kids are a bit older.

 

[TJ2]

That set up is the most dangerous tie-down I have ever seen.
Your front tube wimpy strap will slide from the wind and you will loose the kayak.
Hope it will not hit the cars behind you and create some accident.
That is not a good tie-down my friend, how fast do you plan to drive?

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Looks fun! We have kayakers off our San Diego coast that occasionally get dragged around for hours when they hook up with a big Yellowtail, tuna, shark, etc. Occasionally they get bumped/pushed by dolphins & sharks. Yowsa.

However, that front attachment doesn't look too secure. I used to carry a 17' Old Town canoe on top of my car and if the two front straps weren't real secure the canoe would get shoved to the side & I'd have to do a near panic stop to fix it.

 

[CybrSlydr]

That set up is the most dangerous tie down I have ever seen.
Your front tube will slide from the wind and you will loose the kayak.
Hope it will not hit the cars behind you and create some accident.

We've got two NSR straps across the middle through the handles of both kayaks, we have the bow NSR strap through both the front handles and wrapped and we have a stern NSR strap through both handles running through the trailer hitch.

The thing didn't budge going 55 on the way home.

 

[JEEPCJTJ]

I'm glad you made it home at 55 mph.

I imagine those straps probably are strong enough. Running the straps through the handles probably ain't a bad idea, but I'll suggest wrapping the front strap 5 or 6 times (or more) around the push bar then using a rubber (bungee-ish) cord over the wrap just to make sure it stays where it is and doesn't slide to either side depending on where the wind decides to push it.

 

[MatthewBriggs]

This is so surprising I am looking when this is going to happen.

 

[CybrSlydr]

Just got back - and struck out again. lol

Didn't manage to catch anything, but boy did we get out and paddle around.

Got her off the Jeep and ready to go - Sea Ghost 110. Brother and I took them over to the water and got in - I got off relatively ok but he got his rod under the pier and in trying to keep it from breaking ended up dumping himself in before we even left. lol

We paddled down the NW coast casting into rocky areas and with some trees, but never got any bites. So, after a good time paddling there, we went over to the other side near the building at the dam.

I managed to break off on cast, so I returned back to the launch so I could re-tie. I decided to go in the shallow area to the left of the dock. About 5 min in, I see three large surface strikes - I'm like, YES!!!

So I toss a crankbait over a few times and nothing. Tossed again and this time a few seconds after I pull the crank out of the water next to the kayak, I see this brown/gold fish come towards where the lure left and then dart away. Looked over a foot long - not sure what it was, be it smallmouth, carp or something else.

That was the last I saw of it and didn't get any other bites. So we decided to get strapped on and go to Bdubs for lunch and get the kayaks back to the shop.

Despite the skunk, I had a really good time. Wasn't too sure of this kayak thing at first as I was rocking side to side - I'm also terrified of heights and being on water brings that out in me. I feel every inch beneath me that doesn't have solid ground and triggers some anxiety.

Will I go buy one? I think yes.