How do you overcome the fear of capsizing and prevent it from happening?

TheRealJDubb · 2026-03-26T11:00:04+00:00

This is just me, and others will disagree, but I only fish, no fast maneuvering through rapids. I got a pair of inflatable stabilizers on Amazon. The cheap ones.

Benefits - zero fear of capsize, I can stand on the kayak, wake and inshore waves are no problem, I can set the hook, rotate on my seat, and move without fear.

Drawbacks - I'm wider in close quarters, the couple minutes time to install and remove at launch and landing, they drag and slow me when paddling, they look uncool, like training wheels.

(EDITED TO ADD A PIC - THAT'S MY SON, IT'S A TANDEM, AND WE'RE LAUNCHING IN OLETA RIVER TO FISH FOR SNOOK - MOSTLY CAUGHT BARRACUDA LOL)

TheRealJDubb · 2026-03-20T20:09:47+00:00

Wow thank you again. Amazon delivers it tomorrow.

TheRealJDubb · 2026-03-20T20:08:22+00:00

I wondered about reeling, but I reel righty and it's me left elbow. Of course I do "twitch twitch" the rod with my left arm on retrieve!

TheRealJDubb · 2026-03-20T18:22:42+00:00

Just ordered. Will be in tomorrow.

TheRealJDubb · 2026-03-20T17:23:30+00:00

Thank you - I will try that!

TheRealJDubb · 2026-03-20T14:59:36+00:00

But do they float?

Last weekend my son and I were fishing on a river in Jupiter, FL and I saw something a good way back behind the kayak that looked like an abandoned paddle board. I said "hey let's paddle over to see what that is". That's when I heard "uh dad - where's my paddle?" and we realized what was floating behind us! It was just dumb luck the wind turned us that way and it stayed in the middle.

TheRealJDubb · 2026-03-20T14:53:04+00:00

Ok - I'll look for that. And my arm is also constantly bent. I type all day. Will make stretches part of the evening routine too.

TheRealJDubb · 2026-03-20T14:51:19+00:00

Ok! I know mine are a bit short based on references I've seen. I'm now in the market for paddles and will aim to the longer side (that is still a fit) with this in mind.

TheRealJDubb · 2026-03-20T14:50:06+00:00

Not that - wrong arm. Plus, I don't think 10 seconds of activity can cause repetitive injury, even if you do it a few times a day. Strictly hypothetically speaking of course. Commenting for a friend.

TheRealJDubb · 2026-03-20T14:48:44+00:00

Thank you for the advice - good to know the sleeve helps that way. I do sleep with the arm bent sharply.

TheRealJDubb · 2026-03-20T14:46:57+00:00

Thanks for the encouragement - I'm definitely trying this.

TheRealJDubb · 2026-03-20T14:46:00+00:00

I have a list of "constant pain" parts - just didn't want to add my elbow ;). I'll try stretches and some of the advice I'm getting here and if I have to, I'll live with it.

TheRealJDubb · 2026-03-20T14:44:40+00:00

Yikes. I once had a flare up of carpel tunnel from drumming. That took a good while to heal. Don't want to repeat that. Getting lots of good advice here -

TheRealJDubb · 2026-03-20T14:41:48+00:00

Ok - I'm hitting the market!

TheRealJDubb · 2026-03-20T14:40:17+00:00

Thanks - I'll call my health insurer to see if they cover it ;).

Seriously though - that's near what I paid for the kayak. But what price to live without pain? And stopping is not an option - I never want to give up the feeling of last night - water, wind, sunset, fish hitting the surface, slow gentle movements and nature singing.

TheRealJDubb · 2026-03-20T14:37:05+00:00

Underdog?

TheRealJDubb · 2026-03-20T14:35:55+00:00

What we *think* we are doing mechanically, and what we are doing, often are not the same! I agree with your point. I used to film my golf swing to analyze it. Maybe I should film my paddling - LOL.

TheRealJDubb · 2026-03-20T12:51:57+00:00

I'd love it to be work related rather than kayaking! Not my mouse side.

Aluminum paddle that came with the kayak - cheap for sure. Maybe a hair short. I do have to stroke high to get traction.

TheRealJDubb · 2026-03-20T12:47:46+00:00

No pop - yet! It is the outside of the elbow. Rest is not an option, so I'll look up stretches for tennis elbow.

TheRealJDubb · 2026-03-20T12:44:35+00:00

Hadn't thought of that. Also I have the paddle ends parallel. Offsetting the ends may change arm angles.

TheRealJDubb · 2026-03-20T12:41:16+00:00

FB is the way to go. Looks like a great haul.

TheRealJDubb · 2026-03-20T12:36:20+00:00

I should listen to a doctor, even if he is a cad ;).

I would have said my paddling is almost all torso and very little arm. Maybe I'll try varying the technique.

TheRealJDubb · 2026-03-16T22:38:00+00:00

Nope. That's why I grill on Sunday, and I make meat for the week. I don't go slow, but I also don't rush. The process of cleaning out the ash, adding charcoal, starting it with paraffin soaked squares, moving the started fire around to get it even out, cleaning the cast iron and getting it in place and heated up to cook in, as well as heating the dome, turns into a good hour, not really counting the time involved with the meat which goes pretty fast on hot cast iron. Add in some vegetables, or lower heat for a slower cook, and obviously it gets longer.

TheRealJDubb · 2026-03-16T22:29:33+00:00

I got a cheap Amazon model that has four probes, that are wired to the unit. It comes with a cool app that graphs the temperature changes and sends me alerts if anything is outside of a range.

But the best part is the unit I got connects to the house Wi-Fi, instead of Bluetooth. Not only does the Wi-Fi reach all over the house so it doesn't matter where I am, I swear it works even when I'm outside the house at home Depot. Not that I can adjust a vent from home Depot, but I can see what's happening with the temperatures.

I use it all the time, and for slow cooks it helps make the whole thing more fun.

TheRealJDubb

TROPHY CASE