Well went out on Saturday. looked at the wind and figured that the cove I will be fishing would be OK. Got out there and anchored to the pilon but thinking about safety it was just a little to bad. Having said that. As I untied and made my way back to the dock. I was very cautious. When i got back to the dock i was like. WOW I made it. Then it happened. Got a little off balance trying to get out and SPLASHHHHH I met Mr. Water.. Was only in 3 feet of water Thank God. But it humbled me. Safety before confidence always. I had on all of my safety gear so I wasn't waorried. But dang that water is wet. LOL.

First thing that I thought of when you said that you "tied off" was that you tied off to a midpoint on the boat. The anchor point should never be mid ship so to say. If a wave hits, you can get flipped over in a hurry. Check out info on an anchor trolley and always tie off from the bow or stern, again NOT mid boat. If tied off from the bow and you have some slack in the line the boat will just ride up and over the wave.

If you fish out of a kayak it's not about if you ever took a dump, it's just about WHEN you ARE going to take a dump into that water. Think of it this way: you got past that right of passage early on and you survived just fine. You learned a lesson and your comfort zone will be a little different and more cautious next time on the water. Even though it was only 3 feet, glad you had your safety gear on. I figure that I made it this far in the world, I always wear my pfd since I don't plan on drowning now.

When it gets warmer again, just take that boat out with no gear and flip it on purpose, then get back in. Check out some reentry YouTube videos like this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Zwg2cAOayQ NOTE: Chad is a little crazy and not for everyone, but the technique demonstrated, even for a bigger fella is spot on. Enjoy Even if you don't practice this instantly, remember the 3B's: Belly, Butt, Boat

Not only is it wet it�s starting to get dangerously cold!

And i will not be on it when it gets any colder.

Thanks for the video Clay34

First off, glad you're ok. Secondly, welcome to the club. Probably the best thing that could have happened to you so early in your kayaking experience... seriously.
Reminded me of the time I was two miles offshore and realized I had a lot of water inside my hull. It got so bad that I couldn't control my kayak paddling back in with following waves. Water would rush to bow causing it to submerge on each passing wave. Had to turn kayak into wind and waves and let it push me back to shore as I furiously tried to keep my balance. Much easier to keep balance with kayak facing oncoming wind and waves. I made it through shore break and into calm waters before turning kayak around and paddling the rest of way into very popular sandy beach. Lit up a smoke in celebration of making it safely back to shore. Threw my leg over side to get out and all the water rushed to that side and dumped me so fast in three feet of water. I'm sitting on sandy bottom with waterlogged broke cigarette in my mouth as all the beach folks must be thinking what a dumbarse.

The positives I took from your experience is A) You are ok and B) lesson learned. That's what it's all about.

i just had to share. Some people don't get the chance. When it gets warmer i will increase my amount of safety. Kayaking is new to me and it is a totally different animal.

I just went back and reread your "old" post.. dated 11/19.. Could be a record for fastest dump. Did you have a towel?

https://texasfishingforum.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/12970166/1/finally-got-one

I had a complete change of clothing in the truck

Unfortunately it comes with learning, i am pretty sure i flipped out of my Kayak 3 of the first 5 times i took it out. Luckily for me it was Summer, & i was smart enough to have everything tied on/strapped down so i didn't lose or break any gear. I decided after that to watch some paddling & safety videos and read as much as i could find on basic maneuvering in a kayak/canoe. I haven't flipped out or had any close calls since then. And i know it has improved my fishing a lot because i have more control of what my kayak is doing when i'm out there. I only started kayak fishing in 2018 so i am in no way an expert, just my two cents from a fellow newcomer to the Yak fishing world.

Thats a great idea and one I had thought of but not done.

I have to admit a few weeks ago, after 4 years of Kayak fishing 3-4 times a month all year around I fell in the drink for the first time.

Was being stupid. Trying to launch on a steep bank. The nose of the yak got down into the water and the keel was still on the bank. So the rig was like sitting at a 45 degree angle with no support under the mid section at all. Not wanting to get in the water I hopped on with the thought of just scooting it in like I had done so many times before.

Not this time. The yak started to list a bit to the left so I shifted my weight to the right and whoops!!!! I was in the water and so was half my gear. Water was knee deep and other than snapping a rod I was fine except my ego ha ha. It was just warm enough of a day I was able to fish on without any major concerns. Called my buddy who was on his way to ask if he had a pair of dry socks he did not. Next time I will have my own. And maybe next time I wait till hes there?? He would have said just roll up your pants and take off your shoes and launch... or you will end up in the drink way over your shins ha ha.

Anyways always be careful. Its usually, as it was in my case, over confidence and just poor decision making that leads to such events.

Very glad to hear you dumped it in a perfect spot. Maybe not the perfect time of year, but it worked out fine for you. A dry change of clothes in the truck is an excellent idea, but a dry change of clothes, in a dry bag, in your kayak is an even better idea. Next time you might be 30 minutes away from your truck, and that's a long 30 minutes in wet clothes at this time of year. I certainly don't claim credit for the idea. This topic comes up every year about this time and there's been a lot of good advice offered by the forum members.

Steep banks, boat docks, and other awkward entry/exit situations are a great recipe for dumping the yak. A boat ramp or a bank with a gradual incline is away better situation.

Wintertime I carry a dry bag in the hull with matches, beach towel, and dry insulated coveralls. Could be a lifesaver. Lost my balance in a back lake once sitting down (I stand up looking for reds) in the winter. Luckily it was shallow with a hard bottom and all I dunked was my arm and my waders. Most of that lake is deep mud, and I could have been soaked.

Here is another tip on what not to do!
It seems a natural thing to do and you wouldn't even give it a second thought unless you came very close to flipping or actually flipped your kayak.
That is hanging up your lure off to the side of your kayak or even fighting a sizable fish, and putting extreme amounts of pressure on the rod pulling back either trying to get the lure or line to unsnag or fighting a fish, and then the line breaks suddenly or comes undone.
All that force you were putting on that rod suddenly releases and if you were really leaning back putting your weight into it, BOOM you are suddenly taking a bath on the opposite side of where the snag was.
Any time you have to put brute force on the rod/line make sure your rod is pointing toward the bow of the boat, and never off to the side.
Same if your anchor gets hung up. Get right over the top of it and pull straight up keeping your head and shoulders inside the gunnels. Always carry a sharp knife in a scabbard attached to your life jacket in easy reach should you flip and get tangled up in fishing line or anchor rope.
Sometimes it's best to just go ahead and sacrifice that anchor instead of fighting to get it unstuck....I've donated several anchors as structure over the years.