I usually fish Baffin Bay with a kayak every year in march. I made my yearly trek to fish Baffin by launching my kayak South of Riviera Pier. It was March 11, 2011 at 9:00am and the conditions were great.  The winds were 5-7 knots, calm waters, and water temperature was 69 degrees and air temperature was close to 70 degrees.  The kayak that I used on that day was a Native ultimate 14.5 with a custom trolling motor.  The design is similar to a canoe but it is considered a kayak.  A battery is required for the trolling motor and that was placed close to the bow. I also had a fishing bag with ice at the bow.

I reached the other side of the Pier at Riviera, Texas around 9:30am. I fished until 2:00 pm March 11, 2011. The marine conditions had worsened since leaving earlier that morning.  The winds had increase to 15-25 knots and the bay waves had increased to over 2 feet.  I became concerned about the conditions but in the past years i had managed to return to the banks by the pier without any problems.  The only difference is that this year I had different kayak with a design that had no self-bailing design built into it.

As I was crossing the channel, my kayak began taking on water due to the water swells had grown to over 2 feet.  Eventually, my kayak began taking on water due to the water swells had grown to over 2 feet. Eventually, my kayak began sinking right underneath my feet.  The kayak sank and was left at the bottom of the bay.  The anchor and weight of the water did not allow the kayak to resurface.  I elected to leave the kayak at the bottom of the bay, since it was non-retrievable.  I grab the fishing gear that was close by.  I saw my kayak fishing insulated bag come off the kayak and I jumped on it and used it as a floatation device.  I still had my life jacket on.  Two fishermen on the Riviera Pier saw the accident anf called 911.  I stayed calm and warm and did not get injured.  I was almost to land when I heard a boat come from behind me.  Two Game Wardens were in the boat and retrieved me and my gear that was floating and took me back to my vehicle.

Operator Completed Report.

Riviera                       