Thread: Bad day for me in my yak today

Real sorry you had to go through that. Though as you already said the main thing by far is that you are safe. You can always get new gear.

Sorry to hear about that. I had an almost identical experience a few years back. I went after a stray rod, rolled my SOT, and lost all my gear. But I learned something: I started using black rubber foam pipe insulation as a DIY flotation device for the poles I don't have in my hand. It's an extra step, but it's saved me a rod or two.

Instead of using a magnet, try this:

Get a metal stringer and open all of the clips on it, except for the solitary clip at the end away from the fish-clip end. Tie that clip to the heaviest line you have loaded on a reel. Go back to where you capsized and fan-cast with the stringer, dragging the bottom with it. It shouldn't take long for you to recover your rods. I've done this half-a-dozen times, and it has worked every time.

Wow - that's scary. So glad you're okay and thanks for sharing as a reminder to us all. Hitting a stump and flipping (like you did) is one thing that worries me. I'm a total Kayak newb and have only put mine on the water once after getting it late last summer. I'm impatient to get out, but until I'm more comfortable with my SINK - I plan to hold off until the water's warmer. Got an auto inflating vest and some other lanyards, etc - but probably should add the rod savers as well for the very reason you found out.

Really glad you're okay....

Yes, went up to try and get them but no luck. will try again come the weekend, but they will not be any good I would not think. at least the spinning reels will not be goo if I can find them. Yes it was a stump and me turning that got me overboard. But , I am safe, and I am so glad I bought a little dry bag to put my phone and keys in, and then put it in my dry storage of my yak, or I would have been in trouble.
But pole leashes and just wear those life jackets, I know we all say, that wont happen to me, but it did me.
So I just ask all you kayakers and boaters to use those pfd all the time.
Poles will wait, have to save up to replace them, but I can borrow a buddies pole when I want to go again.
Be Safe

Good to hear you are safe, everything else can be replaced.

Glad ya made it home safe.

Glad all ended well. I did that about 8 years back on the Caney Fork River in December fishing for trout. The shock when one hits the water will scare the crap out of anyone. I too had on a PFD...I don't ever take it off...in kayak or boat.


Regards