Fished all day with atx bassin and my son at walnut creek..things I learned as a new yak angler:
1.muscles hurt that haven't hurt before, need to be yoga master
2.sunglasses need floats
3.rods need a float
4.plano boxes sink faster than you would think
5.rods stored vertical doesnt work in tree overhangs
6.dont keep tackle behind you(see #1)
It will only make you stronger right? And a little lighter in the wallet..cant wait to go again!

Great attitude!...you learn quick!

that sucks you lost some stuff but hey at least its behind you now and youve learned what you need to tailor for next time. it gets allot better!

Congrats dude. Lessons learned makes for great stories. Ive lost some gear myself.

Lol been there done that (we probably all have)... #5 ALWAYS gets me that's why I started using #3... Some waterproof tackel boxes will fix #4.

Been there done that as long as your safe all good oh and it probably happen again

Definitely will be better prepped next time out...hopefully my body will too, wheres that ben gay

"Been there done that" is right. After you learn all the do's and don'ts, you'll be as addicted as the rest of us.

You will be learning something new every time you go!
I've learned over the years to go minimal for short day trips. I'm never more than a thirty minute paddle from my vehicle so I take what I know I will use and I keep a box of gear that I "might" need in there.
I fish to relax and taking the kitchen sink along is not what I consider fun!

LOL. Don't worry. We all have stories like that from when we first started kayaking. I unloaded everything, and went to shut the tail gate....forgot the fishing rod was still there. Closed the tail gate on it. Checked it out...didn't seem to be any worse for ware. Paddled to my fishing spot about 20 minutes away...fist cast the rod snapped in half. I was "going light" that day and only had the one rod with me. Learned two lessons that day. 1. Always be aware of gear before closing the tailgate. 2. Always take at least two rods.

Another great lesson I learned this year was keep a set of clothes and a towel in a dry bag. It took five years but I finally rolled my Yak, luckily the water was only 48 degrees.

Sorry to hear about your loss, but it sounds like you learned something new Did anyone catch anything?

One sandie and one black so havent been skunked yet in all of my 4 outings

Uh oh. May not shoulda said that. Hahahaha.

You're right..went to lake arlington and all i got was a big ol skunk