Redondo Fishing Report and a rescue - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

hiramehunter · 07-21-2020, 01:13 PM

Got out last Saturday morning out of Redondo. 7am launch with my buddy and the winds were already blowing. Super bummed. Super choppy but no white caps or swell. Tried the usual spots for rockfish. A few weeks ago, they were schooled up in a certain spot so we paddled over but it was a picky bite. Plus the wind was blowing from the west making it hard to stay on the spot or drift slowly. We caught some reds on whole squid, shrimp flies, and one huge one on a live mackerel.

About an hour in we got flagged down by another kayaker (also was fishing). She told us that there was a guy with a flipped kayak and needs some help.
When we got to him, he was in the water trying to flip the Hobie Pro Angler 12/14 over. It was so water logged that he was struggling to get it up right.
There was also another gentlemen (friend of the woman who flagged us down) on a Hobie Compas holding onto the PA to keep it steady.
I started to put everything away so I could get in the water and help but he finally got it flipped. He also struggled to get back on the PA from the rear but he managed it somehow.
At this point, he looked like he lost his seat so we told him to sit where it used to be. He was exhausted and confused. There were some talks about towing him back in but we decided to call 911 and ask for help from the RB Lifeguard. We waited for about 15 minutes and they came and got him on the boat with the PA half sticking out.

Couple of things from this incident once we all had some time to talk about it:
• He didn’t have a PFD! The guy on the Compas gave him his when he was in the water.
• That was his first time on the PA (or maybe kayaking??)
• He was alone and he was near the Palowan wreck
• The PA flipped cause he tried standing on it. Not sure why. Didn’t ask. Especially when it was sloshing around out there.
• He also kept blaming Hobie saying it was a bad design since all that water filled the kayak.
• No radio. Although he did have his phone but I’m not sure if it’s working at this point.
• Lash everything on your kayak if you don’t want to lose it. He didn’t even know he lost the seat until we told him. Lucky he didnt lose his mirage drive. I don’t know if he was fishing or just kayaking. I didn’t ask.
• I also put “some” blame on his son who lent him the Hobie. He should not have been out there by himself in those conditions.

Anyway, I’m sure there’s more we can glean from this but I’m glad he’s alive and we were able to help!
Also thankful for the lifeguards to come and rescue him.
Final note, I was surprised on how much water was in the PA. Any thoughts on that? Is that normal? Maybe the front hatch seal wasn’t sealed correctly?
I also think he probably didn’t check everything before he went out on his 3 hour tour!

07-21-2020, 01:13 PM	#1
hiramehunter Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Near Palos Verdes Posts: 198	Redondo Fishing Report and a rescue Got out last Saturday morning out of Redondo. 7am launch with my buddy and the winds were already blowing. Super bummed. Super choppy but no white caps or swell. Tried the usual spots for rockfish. A few weeks ago, they were schooled up in a certain spot so we paddled over but it was a picky bite. Plus the wind was blowing from the west making it hard to stay on the spot or drift slowly. We caught some reds on whole squid, shrimp flies, and one huge one on a live mackerel. About an hour in we got flagged down by another kayaker (also was fishing). She told us that there was a guy with a flipped kayak and needs some help. When we got to him, he was in the water trying to flip the Hobie Pro Angler 12/14 over. It was so water logged that he was struggling to get it up right. There was also another gentlemen (friend of the woman who flagged us down) on a Hobie Compas holding onto the PA to keep it steady. I started to put everything away so I could get in the water and help but he finally got it flipped. He also struggled to get back on the PA from the rear but he managed it somehow. At this point, he looked like he lost his seat so we told him to sit where it used to be. He was exhausted and confused. There were some talks about towing him back in but we decided to call 911 and ask for help from the RB Lifeguard. We waited for about 15 minutes and they came and got him on the boat with the PA half sticking out. Couple of things from this incident once we all had some time to talk about it: • He didn’t have a PFD! The guy on the Compas gave him his when he was in the water. • That was his first time on the PA (or maybe kayaking??) • He was alone and he was near the Palowan wreck • The PA flipped cause he tried standing on it. Not sure why. Didn’t ask. Especially when it was sloshing around out there. • He also kept blaming Hobie saying it was a bad design since all that water filled the kayak. • No radio. Although he did have his phone but I’m not sure if it’s working at this point. • Lash everything on your kayak if you don’t want to lose it. He didn’t even know he lost the seat until we told him. Lucky he didnt lose his mirage drive. I don’t know if he was fishing or just kayaking. I didn’t ask. • I also put “some” blame on his son who lent him the Hobie. He should not have been out there by himself in those conditions. Anyway, I’m sure there’s more we can glean from this but I’m glad he’s alive and we were able to help! Also thankful for the lifeguards to come and rescue him. Final note, I was surprised on how much water was in the PA. Any thoughts on that? Is that normal? Maybe the front hatch seal wasn’t sealed correctly? I also think he probably didn’t check everything before he went out on his 3 hour tour!