repost:Launching a kayak or pontoon at Hagg lake without annoying trailering folks

[rollcast]

Hey all,

I posted this on the main board, but I thought some folks here may not read that board.

I was wondering if there were any spots other than the boat ramps for launching a kayak or pontoon. I would prefer not to be in anyone's way who is trying to trailer their vehicle.

First, at ramps A&C is there decent access for me to roll my kayak on its cart to the lake not using the ramp? Do folks just squeeze down the side of the ramp? (If this is bad form I hope someone will point that out). Are there better non-ramp spots where I could roll my kayak to the water?

I am not asking for anyone's secret spot, just trying to figure out a safe way to get on the water.

Thanks for any help you can provide.

[FelonFinder]

I used to use my small aluminum at C. I'd just drag it from the close-in parking space to the water, maybe 50-100' away. I once dragged it all the way down the grassy hillside to the creek arm and launched that way, carrying my battery, motor, and all other equipment back and forth. That was a work out. Still, I think you have the same rights to the launch and dock as all other paying customers.

[rollcast]

I know I can launch from the ramp, but I think it would be nicer for me (and to others) to not have to launch from the ramp. I was hoping that there were some decent spots that were a fairly short, flat walk to the water near the North end of the lake.

[SOBass]

Personally, I would just squeeze alongside whenever you have the space to do so safely. Anyone upset by this would just be ridiculous and irrational. You would be much quicker than the trailers and take up much less space. I don't see there being any real problems.

[Spot]

The only places you can reasonaby cart your yak to, that aren't boat ramps are the cove at the far end of the dam, The gazebo area just before the Ramp C exit and various spots in the upper and lower Ramp C parking area. BTW: It's only reasonable to launch at the cove when the water level is high.

If you have your gear organized, it should take no longer to deploy at a ramp than the average courteous powerboat launcher/retriever. You have to pay for the ramp access when you bring your kayak, regarless of whether you plan on using the facilities so you may as well take advantage of it.

To further reduce your impact, you can just cart your yak from a parking spot out onto the docks at Ramp C or use the left hand lane of Ramp A (no dock access on this side).

Hope to see you out there!
-Spot-

[rollcast]

Originally Posted by Spot

The only places you can reasonaby cart your yak to, that aren't boat ramps are the cove at the far end of the dam, The gazebo area just before the Ramp C exit and various spots in the upper and lower Ramp C parking area. BTW: It's only reasonable to launch at the cove when the water level is high.

If you have your gear organized, it should take no longer to deploy at a ramp than the average courteous powerboat launcher/retriever. You have to pay for the ramp access when you bring your kayak, regarless of whether you plan on using the facilities so you may as well take advantage of it.

To further reduce your impact, you can just cart your yak from a parking spot out onto the docks at Ramp C or use the left hand lane of Ramp A (no dock access on this side).

Hope to see you out there!
-Spot-

Thanks for the detailed reply. I was planning on paying the boat fee regardless of where I launched. Sounds like there are a quite a few good choices. I will scout them out when I head out there and go with what makes sense.

Thanks again everyone for taking the time.

[rollcast]

Originally Posted by SOBass

Personally, I would just squeeze alongside whenever you have the space to do so safely. Anyone upset by this would just be ridiculous and irrational.

I read a lot of posts of ridiculous and irrational behavior at boat ramps - I do not want to make the news

[Salmon Mike]

Originally Posted by rollcast

I read a lot of posts of ridiculous and irrational behavior at boat ramps - I do not want to make the news

I fish there all the time. Or at least as much as possible. You are welcome to launch your yak while im on the ramp. Most boaters there i have found to be pretty cool people. And the ramp is usually not too busy. I dont think you will have any problems. Lots of yaks out there.

[MXRacer105]

Since you are a fisherman, I bet you will launch 90% faster than most of the recreational boaters out there anyway. If I were you, I would use the launch, as others have said you are paying the fee. Most of those ramps are wide anyway (mutliple lanes), maybe a different story if they were single lane ramps....

EDIT - Got to add, very nice of you to even consider this.... think of how much better the boat ramps would be if everyone had your same mentality.

[rollcast]

Originally Posted by MXRacer105

EDIT - Got to add, very nice of you to even consider this.... think of how much better the boat ramps would be if everyone had your same mentality.

Thanks, but I recommend that you don't think about that, it will just make reality even more painful

[Scott Rickard]

Like others wrote, nothing wrong with launching at the ramps. I would rather wait for a yak to clear the ramp over some of the boats I wind up behind. I'm a Ramp A boater and I approve this message.

Very considerate of you to ask this question.

[mkwerx]

Suggestion:

If using ramp A - launch from the side of the ramp opposite the dock. The boats are generally only gonna go in next to the dock - if you launch on the far side of the concrete, you leave the dock open for the boaters to use.

If using ramp C - you can launch on the outsides of the docks and not be in the way of the trailer-boat traffic.

And the above poster who said fishermen launch faster than other pleasure boaters is spot on. Was out there last Sunday - and some yahoo in a big wake boat took forever and a year to launch his boat. He didn't bother readying to launch until the trailer was in the water, couldn't get the wife to use bow/stern lines to guide the thing off the trailer (or around my boat while we were waiting to take out).

Wife didn't bother getting kiddies into their life jackets until they were in the boat. Then they had to apply sun screen. Dude had to retie his bow line for no reason. Then he had to play with the engine - starting and stopping it 3 times before launching. It took him at least 15 minutes - finally had two other irritated boaters awaiting to take out drop their trailers in next to my rig and they just drove their boats onto the trailers.

FWIW I had kayakers launching when I pulled down the ramp to put in that day - and I'd rather have a slow kayak fisher putting in when I'm trying to launch or trailer than the above mentioned yahoo. Kayak guy and his wife (both looked like kayak fishers) took mebbe 5 minutes to clear the ramp.

When I was launching my canoe out there last year - I never bothered with the boat ramp. I did what FelonFinder mentinoed - either launching away from the ramps, or putting in by the pavillion in Sain Creek. I wouldn't launch at Sain Creek in low water - that'd be too much of a chore.

[FelonFinder]

While we're talking Hagg, please be aware there is poison oak in the woods. If you get out around the lake and wander through the woods, be careful. A couple years ago I climbed through the stuff (didn't know we had it here) and I never knew I could itch so bad.

[FagioFisher]

I see quite a few guys launching there toons and kayaks right off the shore in front of the pavilion by ramp c. Nobody seems to mind at all that's where I would go.

[INSAYN]

Originally Posted by FelonFinder

While we're talking Hagg, please be aware there is poison oak in the woods. If you get out around the lake and wander through the woods, be careful. A couple years ago I climbed through the stuff (didn't know we had it here) and I never knew I could itch so bad.

I knew it! I've never actually seen poison oak before (that I knew of), and on Friday 3 of us kayaked all over the lake fishing. We stopped on the south side of the lake in a bay with a mini peninsula poking out, just to swap kayaks. While doing so I noticed many small plants along the ground that had leaves grouped in 3's. That reminded me of a rhyme "Leaves of three, leave them be". This post reminded me, so I looked up poison oak and sure enough!

[INSAYN]

On a side note, I've often thought that it would be an upgrade to the area if the managers of the lake would consider turning the old Scoggins Road near the dam (that runs right into the water) into a human powered craft only. Also open the area above as a parking lot for those that want to fish that area on foot, kayak, canoe, toon, etc..

Sure it sounds bias and maybe wanting special treatment, but think about it. If the self propelled folks had a launch away from the traditional boat ramps, we would not be filling any parking spots or clogging up the ramp. Maybe have an additional mini launch near the pavilion on Sain Creek arm as well.

[rollcast]

Originally Posted by mkwerx

Suggestion:

If using ramp A - launch from the side of the ramp opposite the dock. The boats are generally only gonna go in next to the dock - if you launch on the far side of the concrete, you leave the dock open for the boaters to use.

If using ramp C - you can launch on the outsides of the docks and not be in the way of the trailer-boat traffic.

And the above poster who said fishermen launch faster than other pleasure boaters is spot on. Was out there last Sunday - and some yahoo in a big wake boat took forever and a year to launch his boat. He didn't bother readying to launch until the trailer was in the water, couldn't get the wife to use bow/stern lines to guide the thing off the trailer (or around my boat while we were waiting to take out).

Wife didn't bother getting kiddies into their life jackets until they were in the boat. Then they had to apply sun screen. Dude had to retie his bow line for no reason. Then he had to play with the engine - starting and stopping it 3 times before launching. It took him at least 15 minutes - finally had two other irritated boaters awaiting to take out drop their trailers in next to my rig and they just drove their boats onto the trailers.

FWIW I had kayakers launching when I pulled down the ramp to put in that day - and I'd rather have a slow kayak fisher putting in when I'm trying to launch or trailer than the above mentioned yahoo. Kayak guy and his wife (both looked like kayak fishers) took mebbe 5 minutes to clear the ramp.

When I was launching my canoe out there last year - I never bothered with the boat ramp. I did what FelonFinder mentinoed - either launching away from the ramps, or putting in by the pavillion in Sain Creek. I wouldn't launch at Sain Creek in low water - that'd be too much of a chore.

Wow, thanks for taking the time to write up all the detail! I really appreciate the effort. I was apprehensive about launching at Hagg but after all the great comments, discussion and advice I think it will be a piece of cake when I get out there.

Thanks everyone!

[de_fishmon]

I launch just about anywhere there is access... Scoggins and Seine both have fairly easy access if you don't mind working for it a little... I put mine on my cart and roll down to the water... find a good healthy tree to chain my wheels to and go my merry way.

[Gus Orviston]

Funny you post this.. last week I was putting in. and had a guy walk down behind me as I was backing up. Shocked me the way he just appeared out of my passenger mirror and was close to my boat.. I stopped but he kept behind me for some time.. which raises other issues with others walking behind the rig once I stopped.. so pretty unsafe the way he approached it.. I would rather he come down after i set the ebrake and work next to me.. not try and jump in behind moving/backing vehicles. Got me thinking the same thing.. ".. what is the best way to queue up for a turn"

gus