Since I have several friends who are yakkers.....I see how much fun on the water they have....so I went to Mariner Sails in Dallas and my lovely wife Kathy Beauvais McKlemurry.....told me to get one.

So, I did.  I bought the Wilderness Systems Ride 115MAX.   Nice yak.  11.5 feet long and 33 inches wide.  A "stable" platform.

Launched the Ax Yak yesterday for the first time.  It was a learning experience.

I fished for a couple of hours and then decided to "familiarize" myself with the optional stablizer bar I installed.  I watched all the videos how the guys stand up in their yak and fish.  You can lean against the stablizer bar for additional support.

I'm in 40 feet of water about a quarter mile from shore.  I slowly inch my feet forward, grab the stand-up assist strap, and pull myself up.  I could feel my knees shaking a bit as they tried to adjust to the overall CG shift I had just created.

I reached down to raise the seat (it has a wonderfully comfortable 3 position air flow seat).  The seat didn't come up immediately so I grabbed the seat adjustment strap and pulled on it.

The upward pulling motion created a moment arm around the new CG thereby putting the yak into an unstable condition.

I tried to recoup.  I failed.  So, before you could say Holy Batman....I was in the drink.  Capsized yak.

With my pride wounded (and having looked around quickly to make sure no one was out there), I then realized I had just lost three (3) rod/reel combos.....I won't mention $$$ but two of the three St. Croix rods had Shimano Calcutta 200s on ' em.......

I learned you can't flip a yak back over while in the water without significant practice. 

So, grabbing the rope, I swam the quarter mile while towing in the yak.

I get to shore and discover that my sight wasn't 100%.  Reached up....no eyeglasses.

My first yak adventure was more than I had hoped for and a very expensive first outing.

I'm going to Academy today to buy floaties for my rods.  I was fortunate enough to have tethered my pliers, paddle, and pliers to the yak.  I had also bought a dry bag for my phone and wallet. 

Oh well........I think I'll practice sitting down a while before I do the stand up thing again. 

PS  Went to Dr Barnes Eyemart Express in Sherman.  They replaced my glasses for free!! 

at least only the pride lost and no broken bones