About our Guided Kayak Fishing Trips

What To Know & FAQ’s about Groundswells Guided Kayak Fishing Trips

Trips
Due to the nature of the sport trips are limited to a maximum of two anglers per trip (unless otherwise noted) to allow for a high quality “hands on” experience. Most trips are approximately 6 hours

Ocean and “Big Water” trips are highly dependent on favorable ocean and weather conditions. Please allow flexibility when scheduling. Call or email for current conditions and trip availability.

Refund & Reschedule
I reserve the right to reschedule your trip based on poor or unsafe water/ weather/fishing conditions. Your deposit can only be refunded if we are unable to reschedule to a mutually agreed upon date. If you cancel the trip without 72 hours notice, you will be billed the full amount of the trip.

We launch at…. o’clock
Once we agree to meet at a certain time, please don’t be late! Being on the water ready to fish at a specific time or tide or having time to paddle to distant locations can make or break a day on the water.

Make sure you plan extra time for the drive, locating unfamiliar launch sites, bad weather and that last stop for snacks or the restroom.

Keep it under your hat
Many of the locations and techniques we use to make your day on the water a success are developed over years of experience, experimentation and exploration and may not be common knowledge. I like to keep it that way. Feel free to use what you have learned on the trip personally, but please refrain from ‘over sharing’ the specific details pertaining to exact locations or techniques on public internet forums, etc. This allows the next guy or gal to have as great an experience as you did and protect resources from over exploitation.

Restrooms
Access to restroom facilities can be hit or miss depending on the fishery. Count on no access to restrooms on ocean/big water based trips. Other fisheries may or may not have convenient access to restrooms both on the water and at the launch site. When in doubt, ask your guide before you launch.

Due to distant fishing locations and the slower nature of kayak travel, anglers need to be aware that taking lengthy breaks to paddle to distant restrooms can greatly affect the potential success of their trip. Dry suits do have an on the water ‘relief zipper’ which makes it easy for men. For ladies, there are retail options available to allow use of the relief zipper. Your guide can give you details when booking your trip if needed.

Motion Sickness
When booking an ocean based trip the potential exists for you to be affected by “the motion of the ocean.” Please prepare ahead of time for this. Over the counter motion sickness remedies such as Non-drowsy Dramamine and Bonine among others taken one hour before launch helps most people. Don’t wait to take these once you are feeling poorly, they won’t help. Even if you don’t think you will get sick or haven’t in the past, it is not a bad idea to play it safe and take some as a precaution. This is critical for both your comfort and as a courtesy to your fellow anglers.   If you do become too ill to continue and call an end to the trip, we will return to the launch site where, if you can rally and regroup and if time and conditions permit, we will give it another try. If not, the trip is over and no monies will be returned for partial trips.

Know your limits
Kayak fishing is a rewarding and enjoyable activity. It can also be strenuous and demanding. Make sure you are honest with yourself regarding your physical ability when choosing a trip. Many trips cover large distances and require near constant activity. Make sure you are up to it. No one wants to be three miles offshore and run out of steam. When in doubt, consult with your guide for details before booking a trip.

All guests are required to read and sign a Hold Harmless Agreement prior to launching.

Equipment Provided

Tackle and Bait: All Tackle and Bait is provided as part of the trip.

Kayaks: We strive to provide our guests with top of the line equipment. Guests fish from Hobie Kayak’s (www.hobiecat.com/kayaking/) revolutionary Outback kayaks. In addition to being safe, stable and a true pleasure to fish from, the Outback is equipped with the groundbreaking Mirage Drive. This allows clients to efficiently propel themselves while keeping their hands free using the power of their legs in an intuitive bicycling motion, perfect for kayak fishing.

Immersion Protection:
Each guest will be provided with -

• a life jacket- required to be worn at all times
• Kokatat Goretex paddling bibs
• Kokatat Tempest paddle jacket

Additional gear information
Guests are required to provide their own footwear. We recommend an old pair of comfortable tennis or running shoes. Make sure they are large enough to wear warm socks and the booties of the dry suit. The old sneakers you mow the lawn in are perfect.

Guests are required to wear complete immersion protection on all trips involving inclement weather and/or cold-water conditions. Minimum immersion protection on all other trips will be at the discretion of your guide and their evaluation of paddling conditions.

Discuss with your guide prior to the trip the clothing needed for you particular trip. We provide waterproof breathable outerwear and you should compliment it with the appropriate non-cotton insulation inner wear. Depending on conditions and the time of the year, you most likely already have what you need.

Please also bring sunscreen, sunglasses, hat and gloves (if conditions dictate).

Taking your catch home
Bring a large cooler and ice if needed. These items will stay in your vehicle until we return from our trip.  .

Oregon fishing license
You can purchase and print your Oregon fishing license at any Fred Meyer’s or online at: www.dfw.state.or.us/online_license_sales/index.asp

Photos
Waterproof disposable cameras are great. Think twice about bringing that expensive camera. Kayaks are generally wet and unpredictable places. If you do decide to bring a non-waterproof camera make sure you have some way to protect it from the elements.

Food
Pack snacks and a sack lunch. Keep it simple and small. A sandwich or two, trail mix and an energy bar plus plenty of water do well for most trips. Alcohol is not allowed on any GGKF trips.

See our Packages and Prices page for specific details.

Liablity (hold harmless) Waiver

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