The two key things to be mindful of are wind and current. This is written for the bay but applies to the delta as well.

Look up any launch spot to learn what the tides are and when. Know which way the current will push you. The further you are from the Golden Gate the less current, and vice versa. The current at Crissy Field is a constant fight at about 4 to 6 knots, other places less so.

Always look at the weather forecast. As you no doubt know, the prevailing winds in the bay TEND to come from the west, so in general east bay spots are safer regarding wind. Alameda's Encinel boat ramp is probably the most user friendly place to start out. If the wind gets hairy you can line it up to push you back in instead of offshore. It's less useful for fishing until you get out a lot further, but Alameda beach is a very safe forgiving place to just paddle around.

Normal thermal winds are usually less in the morning and build into the afternoon, so plan accordingly. If you are someplace like Oyster Point, thermal winds can come on like someone turned on a fan. If the wind starts coming up, get the heck back in. Storm winds are more variable in direction, timing and speed.

Dress for immersion. Many bay kayakers wear a farmer john wetsuit (pro-tip: Get the NRS one with a front zipper!) and booties. It can mean the difference between a minor mishap and a life threatening one.  You can get by with your surfing wetsuit if you have a 3/2 or a shorty, but a farmer john is nicer for paddling and the front zipper is great since you don't tend to flush out your wetsuit sitting in a kayak. I wear some sort of wind protection over it since when you aren't down in the water you get a lot more wind chill.

And always wear a PFD.
Once you start getting further from shore, in addition to having your phone, consider getting a marine radio.

Good luck!
 

Everybody be cool. Wear a mask. Don't make it a party. Keep a low profile. Go fishing!

I bailed on the conversation last night because it didn't seem productive. You indeed might have that effect on people.

I might not have realized that particular term was as loaded as it obviously is. Fair enough.

But if a launch is open, I'll stand by the fact that kayaking is a good, healthy way to get outdoors and maintain the spirit of distancing. I just realized that, like the many contributors to this board that I saw at my local launch this week, it would be better to just keep my head down. There are a lot of people that are losing everything they ever worked for to this, to help the most vulnerable among us. Gone. Not coming back. Fishing might be the only outlet they have.

Let's get a quote from someone you hold in higher esteem:

"A blanket ban on fishing is far to(o)(sic) blunt of an instrument when the real problem isn’t fishing, but people violating some other aspect of local SIP orders.  It makes no sense to tell the inn keeper he can’t fish.  Zero.  It is offensive to liberty and freedom.  If pointing that out makes me a bully then I’ll wear that with pride. "

That would be you. That's a pretty dramatic statement to my tastes but I don't disagree. I'm not going to bother saying what the term is for people who condemn others for things they themselves say and do.

Feel free to go back to self congratulation or whatever it is you are best at.

I second this question. Almost out of bait!

That sounds interesting. What is the overall length of the boat? Is it a straight-up 12' length? I'm just curious because the "12 foot" outback is now 12'8". I have a maximum that will fit inside my van. Thanks.

That is one impressive Halibut! Congratulations!

I would say there are a lot of personal variables. Do you mean manageable for fishing or kayaking? Do you have a long time experience kayaking inland and this is your first foray offshore, or are you adding fishing to your experience sea kayaking?

I would say wind is the single greatest factor, more than rolling swell. Tight chop is more work and harder to fish. Wind will make you drift too fast or fight to stay uphill. You'll have a harder time keeping your weight on the bottom.  Over about 10mph starts getting in the realm of no fun for me, and when it gets there I usually just surf it in. Not sure where you are exactly but most thermal wind patterns kick up in the afternoon. Pay attention to those cues and heed them. Wind in the wrong direction can be outright dangerous.

If you are newer to being offshore, I would say the buddy is step one and a marine radio is a good addition to that. Play conservative and then expand.

It sounds like you have some experience so your mileage may vary.