Information Overload!!

Nothing can replace the knowledge learned while fishing.
But you can definitely learn a lot about fishing from books, websites, videos, and TV shows (which, ironically, provide the least informative tips...tv shows that is).

The absolute best resource for information pertinent to kayak fishing in CA is right here. Seriously, your learning curve will be accelerated if you heed the advice offered by our brothers.

So do your homework, then go apply what you learned. That's the fun part = Fishing! And that's the best way to gain confidence too. Lots of times, fishing success is determined by your personal confidence in a spot or a lure or a tide.

Good luck and see you OTW!
 

When I was a kid, it was worms for trout, worms for panfish, worms for bass.  if I could find a grub I was gold.  Then I ogt a red devil spoon, it has gone down hill since!

Get you self a fishing diary, and write in it every time you go fishing. Time of day, place, weather, traffic, baits, catch, record everything. By this time next year you'll have some thing to compare you putting to and you can look for patterns, and what days will be better to fish. It amazing the things you can teach your self by just going back through your books and studying.

^this!

You know how you always talk fishing with your companions after a session? I write all that stuff down, and it is gold. OK, you may have some info that doesn't work out, but then you write that down too!

Lots of great advice given.

Here's my 2 cents

Pick quality water for what you want to catch. Learn the cove, bay, arm, lake etc. Specialize in one or two target species. Learn their seasonal habits. Use as light of line as possible for the task. Don't buy bargain basement rods and reels - the midrange stuff works much better without breaking the bank. Learn the palomar knot - that one will get you through most/all situations. Watch successful fisherman/woman and do what they do. Don't chase rainbows and get caught up in marketing frenzy or hype. Get a pair of polarized sunglasses. Don't be afraid of using quality monofilament line. It still works great. Try to focus on either the morning or evening bite on each trip (especially in summer). Bring a can of corn in case nothing is working. Throw a handfull in the water. Use a small hook and sinker. Thread 5 or 6 on your hook. Watch your rod closely. Catch some big ass carp and test your equipment. Lots of fun.

     

There..........now you can see from this thread how truly simple it is,

This is the one I like the best

Afterwards, I'd try to figure out what went wrong 

I think it best describes most of my outings.

Man, I forgot to start that fishing journal this year    Oh well, i'll stick to my old standby which is looking at all of my fishing pic's from the previous years. 

But you can definitely learn a lot about fishing from books, websites, videos, and TV shows (which, ironically, provide the least informative tips...tv shows that is).

Just a minute.....Bill Dance brought to you by Strike King is the man!!   



Fishing shows (that are nothing more than a 20 minute commercial plugging a company, with an additional 10 minutes of commercials plugging the same companies) don't irritate me half as much as most of the magazines nowadays.  PCS has gotten ridiculously bad.

But you can definitely learn a lot about fishing from books, websites, videos, and TV shows (which, ironically, provide the least informative tips...tv shows that is).

Just a minute.....Bill Dance brought to you by Strike King is the man!!   



Fishing shows (that are nothing more than a 20 minute commercial plugging a company, with an additional 10 minutes of commercials plugging the same companies) don't irritate me half as much as most of the magazines nowadays.  PCS has gotten ridiculously bad.

Yeah the article on butterfly jigs was really... 

Thanks for all the advice, truly appreciate it!  Going to start a journal and record everything.