Here are the two public kayak launch pads.  You do need to pay the launching fee $13 at one of the kiosk

Quote from: spock345 on May 26, 2020, 11:22:14 AM

Quote from: NowhereMan on May 26, 2020, 11:10:49 AM

Fascinating!

That's a great area for rockfish, especially once you get the kayak/nerve/gear/experience to venture further out and about. Some big halibut hang out around there too.

How were you able to wrangle your kayak down and (especially) up the steps?

If you fish there regularly, I'm sure I'll see you out on the water one of these days...

I am also curious if I can get some mackerel a few hundred yards off the end of the SC or Capitola wharfs. If I recall correctly it isn't all that good within casting distance of the wharf. I've only gotten a handful and really like them when I broil them with cayenne pepper.

I made a strap with some rope and carried it down the steps. It isn't fun. I think I will be launching from Cowell Beach from now on.  I live just up Pacific Ave from Cowell's so if I can get a good cart I can just walk it down to the water.

Technically, kayak launching from Cowell's is not allowed. Esp in the summer months, they have the swim only section boyed off.  You have to paddle through that area to get past those buoys.  There is a public Launch dock on the wharf you can use which features the benefit of not having to push through waves on the launch or land.  Lots a times the lifeguards don't care you can get away with it.  But, the actual law is clear for cowell's Beach.  Mackerel if the appear this year will be in a litttlelater in the summer, but can be jiged in the shallow water.  Right nor we have pinhead anchovies, some decentsize sardines (near Capitola0 and good sixed smelt.  All of which can serve aas great live bait for halibut and ling cod.

Great little excursion though, and thanks for sharing.  For my part, I commit to posting better, more complete and classic fish reports. (which means I will have to kayak fish more often and I know that is a good thing for me.)

The bickering here is not unexpected. Transposeds ito political beliefs and attitutdes which always raises hackles. WE're in a very unstable period now, and everyone (whether you kow it or not) is afflicted with hegightened levels of anxiety and even fear,

the great thing about NCKA, is freedom.  But it's not a free-for all.  Personal attacks are # 1 no-no. 

We prefer to let the community work things out among themselves. God forbid we ever morph to a Facebook or Twitter situation that bans and deletes contributors due to their perceived political affiliations.  I'd say hard and fast: NO racial invective, and valiant attempts at stating an opposing point of view, We can hate the sin, but love the sinner.

I have confidence things wil smooth out soon.  Feel good about yourself, especially when your opinions differ. Slurs are not appreciated, direct character attacks are unneccesary.

More fish reports and helpful advice is necessary.  Like ex-kayaker, I'm a member of this group since before it became a group. I've been amazed at hw much good positive momentum we have built. I think that's the strongest aspect of NCKA, and it wil take a lot more than petty bickering to bring us down.

Bushy

ps got out with Aaron T (Code3) last week.  Conditions were quite pleasant despite a rather dubious marine forecast.  Fishing was farily slow out by the Mile buoy in SC, but we both got a smattering of rockfish, undrsized lins, and I lucked into a soft-biter halibut I was stoked to hook that I''m still eating this weekend.  Great time and reminds me how much I love kayakfishing, especialy with a friend!  Arron's halibut was from just a week prior.  And, what a noble dog in the pic!!

Uncle Bushy

Looks like a classic WS Ride kayak. Stable platform but if I recall, the tankwell is an odd shape—so a regular milk crate might not fit. I’d looke for a marine plano box that fits and add some pvc rod holders to it (for net & gaff or rods). It’s a good plqce to store tackle & lunch. And hopefully it doesn’t take up too much room in the tankwell, so you can still store fish [under a burlap sack].Also attach some bungee to strap it down in case you flip.
For intial mods, I’d put in flush-mount rod holders behind the seat (either the normal tube style or flush-mount Scotty bases etc). Then put a track along the gunwale near your foot for a rod holder (and maybe other stuff in the future like a fishfinder).
Of course, this is after you get a handheld vhf radio & bildge pump.

Safety Monitor here!  Safety Sally alert!!

Haha.  JK.

When I started out in kayak fishing we would go offshore at a remote spot in wetsuits - no PFD or radios.  It was dumb, but we learned.  We didn't have resources like NCKA though.

Wasn't there a fatal shark attack a week ago near where you went out?  And did you see that yesterday a shark bit a kayak that wasn't far offshore a couple hundred miles up the coast?  What's your plan?

Did you have a radio?

Anyway - congrats on your first fish from your yak.  This sport is super fun and the potential consequences of not using good judgment are super serious.  I think you'll feel better going a bit farther out if you dress for immersion and carry the basic safety gear like a radio, GPS, compass...etc.

Peace out.