Hitchin' a ride!

Our friends over at Central Coast Kayak Fishing posted this photo by Scott Williams, of a lingcod hitchhiking on a rocky. Nice shot Scott!

Do I really need all this "stuff"?

One thing is for sure, I'll never be accused of being a minimalist. I'm a planner and I like to have those items that I just may need in any given situation. I always knew that I carried a lot but it wasn't until I met up with a buddy to hit the water and he showed up with his kayak, a pfd, a single rod, and a couple pieces of tackle! Laughing, I said "WTH! How is that all you have?" Now, I'll never be that minimal but it did get me thinking about how much I take on the water and do I really need it all. I primarily fish in saltwater and carry some gear based on that. Beside the kayak, seat, paddle, and PFD here is a list of what I take with me out on the water:

- Fishfinder with battery

- Net, gaff, & fish bat

- Lip grippers

- 3 waterproof Plano boxes 

     1 small - terminal tackle, 1 large - plastics and heads, 

     1 large - irons and lures

- 2 cameras and 2 mounts

- VHF radio

- 2 dry bags 

     1 with personal gear

     1 with fishing items

- 1 game clip (stringer)

- knife/small cutting board

- bump board

- water/snacks

- hat / extra clothing

- 3 rods

- crate with rod holders

- bait

- whistle/flare gun

- 1st aid kit

- 2 rail mounted rod holders

I'm probably forgetting some things but you get the idea. After looking at my list I can see a few changes I could make. I could start by consolidating my Plano boxes down to two and maybe go down to one dry bag. Do I really need a gaff, a bat, lip grippers, and a net? Well, yes, of course I do! But, in the end I can't see anything that I would want to get rid of. There are some items that I've never used like the flare gun. Never used it and don't even know if it works but I like having it. Might be time for a test, hmmm. 

I guess for me, the bottom line is this. I like carrying "stuff". It makes me feel better and I like to know that I've got what I need. I applaud those of you that are able to hit the water with less. For those of you who take more...you might have a problem! Ha!

So what do you take out on the water with you? What is your "standard" gear list? Post it up and let me know. Maybe I'm missing something that I didn't know I couldn't live without!

Get out there and fish! Cheers, Tebbs!

Shark attack near Vandenberg Air Force Base

Today my buddy, Ryan from Central Coast Kayak Fishing, was fishing with the Jurrasic Sportfishing boys when he was attacked by a Great White Shark. Luckily he was uninjured but definitely a bit shaken up, understandably. 

 He said the shark hit him from below and knocked him about 10 feet in the air and into the water. The shark then circled around and hit the kayak a second time. The guys he was fishing with estimate the shark to be around 20 feet long. Earlier in the day another kayaker was "nudged" by what is presumably the same shark, all coming on the heels of yesterdays attack on a surfer in the same area. Needless to say probably a good idea to avoid that area for awhile. 

This particular area has a history of shark attacks and primarily in the month of October. The discovery channel did a story on this area during Shark Week and it has again proved to be "sharky" for sure. We are glad that Ryan is ok and hope that no one else has this type of encounter.