Porky

I'm thinking of hitting Capitola on Sunday.  Where is a good place to park if I'm going to be out for 4-6 hours?

Thanks

Porky

under General Fishing Tips there is a kayaking fishing seminar @ Aquan in San Carlos. I know it's a ways from Capitola, but it doesn't start till 6PM
 Scallen / Allen Bushnell is the Man for fishing in the Santa Cruz area. Check out that Hali he just caught  - Fishing Reports -
I'm definitely going.

Porky

I sat in that Ride at Aquan. I'm tall 6'3" and had to put the foot braces / rudder controls out to the last stop. This did not allow the rudder to have full range of motion. Something to keep in mind if you are tall.

The lures are easy to find - Walmart - Fishermans Warehouse - San Jose Flea market.
The fish are probably Gopher RF or Blues. Hope to see you out there. Will probably go to Capitola in the next few weeks. Maybe I'll see you there.

Kirk

Porky

For the kelp beds I recommend a shorter medium action rod. It gives you better control getting in & out of the kelp. My personal favorite is an Ugly Stick bass rod with a Shimano level-wind. 10 pound test is good - strong enough to pull off most kelp , yet light enough to snap off if you get really stuck. I just use common bass / hair / scampi jigs in the 1/4 to 1+oz range. a metal or bristle weed guard is critical or else you will be hung up all day.
I put the lure close to the tip so I can poke it through the canopy. I only drop it a foot or two at first because some species prefer to lie right under the canopy. Then I work it lower.

I am in the same boat or lack of boat that you are in. I've been demoing but haven't found The right, affordable, starter Yak yet.  I speak like I know those beds because my grandparents lived a block from the Capitola beach and had a 9' rowboat I frequently launched into those kelp beds.

Did you see the recent links to craigs List in the classifieds forum? A Scrambler XL and a couple Hobie Outbacks

I used to catch a lot at San Luis Dam (not the Forebay) from shore -mid-June to mid-July. When driving over the pass there is one spot where the water is on both sides of the highway. Fish off the rocks right next to the highway ( on the big water side) Daybreak to 10+ or until it gets too windy Using crappie jigs and shad darts.  There is a launch cove just east of that spot ( good bassin/stripper spot). Has anyone tried kayaked from that spot? I figure it's overlooked due to the wind.

Try Jenkinson Lake. Very pretty. I think Sierra Camp or Hazel Creek Camp are the best choice. Just under 3 hours from the Bay Area. The Small Mouth should be spawning. Lots of great wineries close by - free tasting. The back end is great for kayaks.
Take Hwy 50 to Pollock Pines - south on E16 about 6 or so miles. $28 per site (max 8 people) Probably best to get two sites
Bad news, no hot showers.