Anchor Bay

Anchor Bay was a very fun Kayaking Trip. The first two days, I launched from the front of the bay. The waves coming in were just about big enough to prevent me from launching. It was a new challenge for sure. The first time out I tried to catch a wave back in and ended upside down in the surf. I also found out very quickly that I needed a sea sickness patch,"scopolamine" , to combat my sea sickness. I felt pretty miserable right off of the bat with out one. It helped limit my throwing up to just one day out on the water. Thank goodness.
The weather was very rough and it never got any better. It was mostly white capped. The fishing was slow going. I only caught 2 fish on Friday. They were about 6 inches each. Pretty dismal. Saturday I launched from within Chicken Cove and fished for just about 3 hours and caught 5 fish. Actually, that 5th fish was more like a ".1". It was just under 3 inches long. More of a morsel! Most of the fish we caught were around 12 inches in length. I also didn't get to use my spinning reel. For some reason, it wasn't working this year. I ended up doing all of my fishing through jigging.
I would say one of the highlights was seeing a dolphin coming up for air right next to my kayak. I have never seen one, let alone in Anchor Bay. A really cool experience. The sea lions were also a welcome sight and sound. I have picked up some great experience from fishing in Anchor Bay this year. Next year should be even better.
My brother Jason, bought a Hobie Pro-Angler just to use at the ocean. It is a pedal driven kayak. For the money, it is probably the best kayak I have ever seen outfitted for fishing. Its a little to wide to paddle, but there really is no need when you have the pedal controls. It is a very expensive Kayak, and very heavy. Its nothing you would want to move by yourself without some wheels. The kayak is something I would love to upgrade to, if my wife ever lets me... (in 10 year! lol)

C-Tug Kayak Cart

This is my review of the C-Tug kayak cart. I have used it enough now that I think I can honestly give a good review.
The C-Tug is one of the most versatile carts on the market. It isn't very well known, which surprises me since I have found it to be such a great product. The big selling point of the cart is its ability to break down into smaller parts for an easy stow and go. Most of the carts I have looked at aren't able to disassemble and are often stuck in the back of a kayak taking up room or getting in the way.
One of the nice but smaller things I have learned to love about the C-Tug is that it floats. That doesn't seem like it would be a big deal, but when I launch my yak, I roll it right into the water and start paddling out. Once I am out into the water, I unstrap the cart and let it float out to the side. Disassembling the cart is simple and only takes less than a minute to do, so I don't waste any time fighting it or putting it into the hatch. The same goes for leaving the water. I often push the cart under the yak well before I get close to the shore, and then just walk it right out. Very convenient.
The strap is simple and easy to pull tight around your kayak. I have found that it does unlatch from time to time, but its so easy to put back on and keep moving that I don't find my self muttering under my breath.
Overall, if I was to rate the C-Tug, I would give it a 10 out of 10. It has made moving a 70 pound kayak (closer to 80 with gear and extra stuff for the kids) virtually effortless. The times when kayaks were man handled and lifted by hand are gone. This is the only way to go. C-Tug. An online video demonstration.

Paddle to Seatle

I just saw the most amazing video thanks to Jason.  It really does inspire you to do something similar.  I encourage everyone to watch this- it was great.

"Paddle to Seattle: Journey through the Inside Passage is an independent documentary chronicling the progress of two intrepid adventurers paddling handmade wooden Pygmy kayaks from Alaska to Seattle."
Paddle to Seattle Trailer from Ben Gottfried on Vimeo.

First Kayak Trip of 2010

This was our first trip. It went off without any major problems. I still haven't figured out how to build a rack for my truck, so for now I am just tying it down in the bed of my truck. Not the best way, but it works for now.
I hooked up with my friend from work, (who owns a Wilderness Systems "Critter" ) and we hit Dear Creek by around 0700. There were several cars already there but everyone that was fishing was doing it from the banks. We were the only ones on the water. It was awesome.
My initial feeling about my Kayak was that it wasn't stable at all. I guess I expected it to feel more like a Ocean Kayak that is around 34 inches in width. But, after an hour or so on the water, I felt very comfortable in it and found that it was very stable. It allowed me to move up and down the cockpit without any stability problems or even worrying about dumping my son who sat in the back. The scupper plugs that came with the Yak worked beautifully. I wasn't sure what the weather was going to be like, so I ended up weighing down the Yak with all sorts of extra gear that really wasn't needed. Despite all of the extra stuff I had, it tracked very nicely, though there wasn't much wind to push me around. The Ports are great- they seal perfectly and open very wide. I had the entire inside of the boat available for storage. -Not to mention that the poles fit inside of the kayak after we were done. A nice bonus.
The fishing was pretty sparse. It didn't help that I wasn't really prepared to fish, and my son kept asking for stuff that kept me from getting my pole in the water. Maybe next time.
Overall, I am very pleased with the Wilderness Systems Tarpon. It has some great features that I am very pleased with. One of them is the paddle keeper on the side of the Yak. Its a small feature, but it came in so handy, that I really don't think I will ever need to leash it. The Slide Track System is also pretty cool, though I don't have much to put on it, besides a rod holder. Anyway, overall- I would give this company an A+ on their Tarpon series. A lot went into the build of them, and you can tell.

One More Video

I sent this video to my dad and brother, and thought I would share it here too. It really does explain and "debunk" the myth of drowning with a pair of waders on. Pretty good clip. It lasts about 10 minutes, but its very complete in all the steps he takes to see if the possibility of drowning is there. Watch it!

YouTube Favorites

Mr. Neska (MrNeska)is by far my favorite YouTube posters. His videos are always smooth and keep your attention. It also helps that he is into Kayaking... Anyway, this is just another cool video taken in Tomalas Bay, south of Bodega Bay, California. I count down the days until I will be on the coast doing this same thing!

Favorite Inspirational Kayak Video

Here is my favorite kayak video. Its filmed in California in the same county as where my parents have their place (Anchor Bay). I can't wait to try and fish from my Kayak in Anchor Bay. Looks fun!