Rogue Waves - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

Rockport · 07-09-2003, 04:13 PM

All,
Long time reader - first time writer...

I was at the point two weeks ago - alone and having a very, very good AM. (First time for both in a long time) Weather & ocean were rough, but not really rough - just a bit messy....

Soon, I was joined by a guy who looked like a LL Bean ad - he had way MORE STUFF THAN I DO - which is nearly impossible. - A quick nod and he took up 50 yards to my left. A little bummed that I was no longer owner of the rocks I offered very few smiles, well actually none, so I guess it became cold & rough.

A quick tug then slack line had me reeling in and re-baiting. With my head down & trying to hurry I lost sight of the water. A boom, crash, rush of water quickly brought me back to focus and a sprint to higher ground. Not wet, and with a quick laugh I walked back to try again. Turning to cast I noticed no LL, no rod, no reel, no huge tackle box, nothing... Uhmm, funny I didn't see him leave....

Just then I saw him, 60 yards down from where he was fishing, soaking wet, crawling up the seaweed, soaking wet, shaking... By the time I got to him he was blue, wearing only his T-shirt and ripped pants, everything had disappeared - EVERYTHING - I offered a hand and helped him to his car, said he was going home, did not want me to call 911 because it would upset the wife...

Well, I'm still upset
Been fishing, surfing, swimming this place forever from Hurricane swells to winter mackers & I thought I had all figured out = NO one goes down on my watch... Well... could have been me, never saw it...

Still upset...

Stewie · 07-09-2003, 04:26 PM

YIKES! See you on the beach...Longshot

beachwalker · 07-09-2003, 04:28 PM

Amen fella,

Nothing worse than your sense of control and safety being shaken to the foundation.

You were there, was it night ?

Don't sweat it. I would feel as you but would be eventually blessing the fact that it happened, no one got hurt other than his pride (and maybe his $500 worth of catalog buying), your pride and both of you can fish another day. One of you with more caution and you with more experience on how QUICK scary stuff can go down.

TheSpecialist · 07-09-2003, 09:21 PM

wow, thats some scary stuff. Sometimes you feel so invincable, the next second you could be gone. Good thing he made it, and you were there for him. Welcome aboard by the way.

Fishpart · 07-10-2003, 05:46 AM

It was probably a belssing you were there.

At least you'll both be able to fish again, don't let it get you down.

MountainBreeze · 07-10-2003, 06:22 AM

I agree with the other folks, don't let it get you down!

You did the right thing in lending a hand. Sad to say, some people wouldn't have.

Because of you, he will be back to fish again. Well, after the UPS man delivers his new order that is.

Well done and Tight Lines!

Rob

BIGSWELL · 07-10-2003, 08:41 AM

Hey rockport...

What point were you referring to? You probably see me around there hauling them in.

Curious as there are very few townies posting on the board.

S-Journey · 07-10-2003, 09:10 AM

How big was the wave? Was it just a wake? Or one wave that was of good size.

I used to fish comercialy out in Alaska for Opillio snow crab. Out there you could have a true "Rouge Wave" come at you in a matter of seconds. These were caused by the under water fault line shifts and volcano eruptions(pinnical shifts). I've seen 30 plus foot waves come out of no where on a flat calm day.

Its a pretty freeky thing to see, but it's also one hell of an adreniline rush

Joe · 07-10-2003, 09:20 AM

Giant rouge waves are rare - I’ve never run into one while fishing. Most accidents are caused by anomalous waves, not as big as rouge waves, but far more common.
I did some research for a safety article I did a while back - I read that every 400 waves, (on average) will contain a wave that will be .33-1.00 bigger than the norm.
If you are in up to your chest, the wave that is .33 above average may only come up to your neck and will not be a problem. If you don’t fish a lot, you may never be wading when the “double” wave hits. It takes around a 30 mins for 400 waves to come in.
But if you make a practice of deep wading, and you spend enough time in the water, the odds increase in favor of a big wave hitting you.
I guess this is why mathematicians tend to be conservative waders and don’t bother with Powerball tickets. They know the big wave is definitely coming in and their number isn’t.

Jim O · 07-10-2003, 10:18 AM

Having lived and fished Rockport shores for more than 15 years I believe that Mr. LL Bean probably hit a slick spot and launched himself off the rocks with no help from the water. Big waves do haunt those rocks like sharks but I've seen more tourist do themselves in than anything else. I miss the storms when the rollers would come over the harbor breakwater, now I live in Mattapoisett shallow warm water just isn't the same. Big waves down here might hit 3 - 5 ft on a real good SW wind but nothing like a good NE wind. Rockport or Big swell PM me i"ll be up next week to visit my mother maybe we can hook up
Jim O

Steve K · 07-10-2003, 10:27 AM

PFD! I bought one and I don't even know it is on.

MikeToole · 07-10-2003, 11:35 AM

I'm with Steve.

Three years ago I was fishing at the cape on a dark night about 50 yards from shore standing in three feet of water on the ocean side of a sand bar. The water was calm with little wind. Out of nowhere I was suddenly hit by a wave that was over my head and it knocked me over. I was lucky in that it didn't push me off the bar. The next day I bought a self inflating PDF.

RockLobsta · 07-10-2003, 12:03 PM

Steve K

What type/model did you get. I'm thinkin about starting to go solo in my boat but would want to wear PFD

Rockport · 07-10-2003, 01:59 PM

Yes, getting down right scared is a good way to stay focused when you are rock-jumpin'. But as the wife tells me "You are just getting OLD"!!!!!! ouch..... nah..... NEVER!

Joe & S-Journey: I realize now the word Rogue is a bit subjective - would love to hear some of your (Alaskan) stories!!

Bigswell: (One of the BEST fisherman on the North Shore) I hope to get some bait in the AM - see ya at Buddy's for PIZZA Friday PM!!

Jim-O: If not this weekend then very soon we will hook up!

Again thanks all for the good words !

S-Journey · 07-10-2003, 02:14 PM

> Joe & S-Journey: I realize now the word Rogue is a bit subjective - would love to hear some of your (Alaskan) stories!!

And I would love to tell my stories, the only problem is I have hundreds of them and I wouldn't know where to begin. I fished the Bering Sea opillio snow crab season for four years, from 93-96. It was one of the greatest experiances in my life.

If there are any perticulars you would like to know about let me know.

MightyMouse · 07-10-2003, 08:15 PM

That's got to be a tough job

Fish no matter what, heavy seas or rippin storm