Things learned the hard way.

I suppose if you're on the water long enough, something is bound to go wrong. Of course, I didn't think it would happen to me. Well boy was I wrong.

I have always tried to err on the side of caution, but sometimes inexperience and poor decisions come back to bite you. One kayak fishing trip in particular, ended up in disaster not too long ago. Here's what happened.

The first mistake I made was not researching the location. The area I went to fish that day was the mouth of a Harbor connecting the Bay to the Gulf. It was a strong outgoing tide and conditions were not favorable. Not to mention it was November, so the water was a bit chilly. I had a weird feeling before I launched, but I pushed on and paddled out. I found a good spot that I wanted to fish, but I realized the tide was going to push me out into the Gulf. So I dropped anchor and grabbed my fishing rod. Immediately I knew that was a bad idea. Before I could make my first cast, my anchor caught and over I went. Let me stop right there.

Anchoring in swift current or strong tides is a BAD idea. What made this situation even worse is I had no anchor trolley. I was tied off in the middle of my kayak with the anchor line on the wrong side going under my kayak. Even now that I have an anchor trolley I never anchor in current or tidal situations.

So there I was wet and clinging to my upside down kayak. I was not wearing my PFD, which I ALWAYS wear now. None of my gear was tethered, so I lost pretty much everything. Luckily my wallet and keys were in a pelican case that I was able to save. Both rods, all my tackle, my phone and camera were lost along with my wedding ring. I also lost my slip on water shoes, which later you'll find out was very bad. As if that wasn't enough, I was also hooked in the leg and tangled in my fishing line.

Luckily I had a knife that was attached to my milk crate which was still on my kayak, so I was able to cut my anchor line and untangle myself from the fishing line. I wasn't sure if I could get back on my kayak, so I swam over to rocks, oyster bar, and used them to climb back in. That was a huge mistake barefoot and no gloves. Yeah I ended up in the ER with some nasty cuts on my hands and feet. I think the worst part was the 300 yard paddle back against the tide. Mother Nature kicked my butt that day.

So what did I learn. Well I never kayak in situations that make me feel uncomfortable. I always wear my PFD now. All my gear is stowed away or tethered to my kayak. I wear shoes that strap on instead of slip on. I stay far away from oyster bars and never anchor in current or swift tides.

The water has an alluring quality, but it can be unforgiving. Take the time to research the area you want to fish, use the proper safety equipment and always rig up as if you were going to capsize. Be safe and happy paddling.

D.S
#HOOK1KFG