(I made some changes to the grammar and got rid of the smilies so it's a bit easier to read.)
911 Pro Angler Goes Down
Story came from kayak fishing Stuff - Complete story http://www.kayakfishingstuff.com/commun ... hp?t=71665
Hey guys this is the deal. A buddy of mine and myself launched at UB around 6:30am, 5/23/2009. The conditions were mirror perfect with little to no wind. My marine radio stated that late afternoon wind conditions could possibly gust to 20 knots. Around 7:30 we decided to drift fish for fluke. Of course there were some crazy boaters out there speeding through the water making large waves. This did not affect the PA at all.
About an hour later I get an extremely heavy pull on my line with my fluke pole only lined with 25 lb mono, 35lb leader and a gulp shrimp. Holy crap that bloody fish pulled downward not out and away like a striper or jerky like a blue. I'm a big boy...but i tell you, for 45 minutes I could not gain and inch on this brute. I deduced that it was probably a 60+ lb drum.
I was soooo focused on fighting this beast that I failed to really realize that those 20 knot wind gusts had creeped in waaaay faster than reported. I was actually fighting the thing facing directly into the hard wind. The PA was still doing well here.
My buddy was onto some fish as well but cut away his line when he noticed the swells getting well over 3 1/2 feet high, with serious whitecaps. He yelled to me "lets go it's getting crazy out here", so i tightened the drag and the beast easily snapped the line. As I looked at my buddy and said lets go, i turned away from the wind gusts and now the side of the PA was right up against the 3 1/2 foot swells. WRONG MOVE. The swell went under the PA and over I went. It took less than a second for this to occur.
Now in the water, thank the lord it was not freezing cold. Because of my profession I did not panic. I tried to self rescue from the middle of the PA... don't do that, from fighting that fish my strength was GONE. I ended up going to the bow and jumping across the less wide area. GOT IT OVER. Nice. I managed to get my torso onto the seat but for some reason the PA wanted to sink. It would not hold me. I did this two times, then I was totally spent. Thank the lord I was wearing my vest. Now......I'm mentally tired, which brings about some inner panic. My buddy repetitively sounds his air horn to alert the local boats. One knob was 30yards from us and did not help. Another boater spots us and comes to the rescue. (THANK YOU FELLAS x INFINITY) Next problem...F**kin waders. I've read the reviews on them not causing you to drown.. F**k that. Get a drysuit! I couldn't even get out of the water and onto the boat because of major fatigue and the four gallons of water which accumulated in each wader leg. It took me 10 mins to get in the boat ...with assistance, but it felt like an hour.
My buddy has a revo with outriggers. They really helped him tremendously, he made it to shore safely.
Always:
1) have a buddy
2) stay alert for everything and anything
3) dont skimp on gear, I lost damn near everthing, rods not tied down, 10 fluke rigs freshly purchased, my blackberry storm, black Hobie paddle, emergency eye glasses, all inside storage liners, but thank the lord I still got my BALLS BABY, they're just a little lower now.
All in all the PA is still a good boat but...If you see large swells...HAUL ASS BABY! Because contrary to what anybody says from here on out 38 inches wide will still go down in the right conditions!!! Bank on it.
I still hope to get out there again in the near future but for now I MIGHT start back with fresh water fishing.
even his hobie paddle - good lord - a disaster.
