Just got myself a fishing/diving kayak - any tips!

[miket]

Well, I have been wanting a SOT Kayak for a while now. Got an Ocean Kayak's Scupper Pro TW on Saturday thru a posting on Craigslist. This Kayak looks like it will be great for what I want to do with it (fish and dive). The guy selling it threw in a seat, a nice wooden paddle, a paddle leash, kayak wheels, and a pair of foam straps to tie it to my car. The kayak has the dry hatch installed in the cockpit already.

This Kayak model has a huge tank well that can hold an assembled tank + BC + Reg, and the front hatch has enough storage for another two tanks, anchor and weights too if I need.

I have never Kayak dove before, and plan on taking it slowly. I have been reading as much information as I can about kayak diving from the web and from books.

I was thinking of just using the kayak for fishing at first, so I can practice anchoring and dealing with the kayak on the ocean, then maybe trying some free diving from the kayak before I start adding tanks, etc.

Who else here dives from a Kayak, where do you go, any tips you can offer me, anyone with a kayak want to buddy up and show a newbie how it is done?

- Cheers,
Mike

 

[ProfessorAronnax]

Congrats on your purchase! I have a blast with mine. I like to tool around areas other boats have a hard time getting to-rocky areas, sandbars etc.

Have Fun!

 

[BrianS]

Looks like it would be tons of fun.

 

[shoupart]

Hey there! I kayak dive and would be more then willing to go with you some time and help you get up to speed.

Basic advice? Tie EVERYTHING down! Lash everything down that you can and make sure it's completely secure. When I go, I assemble my BC, tank and reg (weight pockets not popped in) and put it behind me, then wear my wetsuit, rolled down at the waist, and stow all other gear in my goodie bag which has a clasp. I then have a clip line inside the front hatch area that I clip onto the goodie bag, in case of the worst. Then I put my weights up there in the front hatch as well, along with water, etc.

I also never wear my glasses when going through the surf zone. I make sure to put those in a secure pocket before that part.

I don't have an anchor, since I am diving; I just have a line that I tie from the kayak down to a rock or something. I also have a reel that I figured I could use for anchoring it, as well as keeping an easy way to get back to the boat.

Anyways, congratulations on buying your kayak! It looks like a great boat, perfect for what you want to do. The only offhand suggestion I can give is to create some sort of tether for your paddle to secure it to the boat.

Feel free to PM me about kayak diving or email me at shoupart@yahoo.com if you'd like to head out sometime.

 

[DennisS]

Here's a book/Cd that is loaded with tips-I recommend it highly. The website is loaded with tips

http://www.kayakdiving.com/

"Gilligan", a fellow scubaboarder, has a great web site with lots of info

http://kayakdiver.com/kayakdiving/index.htm

 

[gsulliva1]

I bought two kayaks thinking I would dive off them but never could get anyone to go. Should see if we can get several people together. I'm in West LA now but my Kayaks are still in the South Bay (Manhattan/Hermosa) so PV would be great for me or I do have car racks.

 

[shoupart]

Nice, there's quite a few kayak divers coming out of the woodwork here! We've gotta get out there and do some exploring!

Palos Verdes sounds great. I've kayaked a little at Malaga and Marineland and would love to check out some of the hard to reach areas in PV.