New Guy - checking in and saying hello to all

Hi Everybody:

About  year or so ago, I was coming out of the beach at Linda Mar from a pre-dawn surf fishing mission (I love to fish with topwater plugs) when I saw a couple of guys rolling their Kayaks down to the shore.  I thought to myself:

Hey - I've been thinking about getting into this..."

So I said hi as I walked by and they told me it was the first day of rockfish season.  I admired the Hobie Adventure and the other unknown brand and walked up to the parking lot, where I saw another 15 kayaks with more guys pulling in as I put away my gear and stripped my waders.  I was intrigued by the variety of kayaks and the fact that each one was totally customized to suit the user - some of them were even built from kits.   I spent half an hour pestering guys as they prepped their boats for the day.   They told me they were all part of an online group spanning San Jose to way North - perhaps it was all of you!

So, I now have finally acquired a Hobie Outback  (I might have gotten a Revolution instead but it's a few inches too long for the available space on my garage ceiling) and have the basics in place:  Ceiling hoist system, rack for the SUV, PDF, Compass, VHF, basic marine safety gear, and rod holders.  I've been lurking on the forum a bit and think I'm ready to start going out come mid-March, once I wrap up a few business and family obligations.   I live in Mill Valley and am pretty much a W2 M-F worker who will be able to go out on weekends, though I have enough flexibility to make an early AM mission or late afternoon/evening  while we have the long days of summer.  Although I haven't spent much time kayak fishing, I've spent a lot of time on sailboats both in and offshore, outrigger canoes, diving (scuba and free), surfing (when my back had more disc space), and kayaking for recreation.  I'm looking forward to making the modifications to the boat and learning the ins and outs of fishing from a kayak.  I'm hoping to  spend time fly fishing, topwater plugging, and getting in some Ab diving as well as trolling and live-baiting.

So, that's my story - the forum looks cool and I look forward to meeting you guys over time.   I'll try to study the archives before I post but will probably still send out some newbie questions that have been asked - and answered - before.

Regards,

 - Stu

Welcome to the madness, Stu.     Glad to see another north-of-the-bay (or the Gate anyway) member!

 "They told me they were all part of an online group spanning San Jose to way North - perhaps it was all of you!".

Yup has to be.....we are the group

Welcome.  good timing, things are going to start heating up here real soon.  Halibut at alameda rockwall or paradise, stripers also in the bay.. Then the ocean season gets going. 

I love it when the season rolls around again!

Allen

  Welcome Stu, want to go Dino hunting? OR, come up to Clear Lake for some great LMB fishing? Just post, somebody will get with you. And like always, WELCOME TO THE MADDNESS.  

Glad to have you on board Stu! Welcome to the Madness 

Linda Mar has been kind to many of us. This is the list of what has been caught by NCKA'ers at Linda Mar:

Halibut
Salmon
Thresher Sharks
Lings
Cabezon
Assorted rock fish
stripers
and yes....a rare white sea bass!!!

I still dream about the salmon season of 2004  Truly spectacular 

Welcome Stuart.  I'm up in Mendocino if you ever get up that way. I have a Hobie Sport and your choice of the Outback is excellent.   -Matt

Welcome to the madness from the Bodega gang

Sherm

WttM Stu,

 Your in the right place ,

 Feel free to ask away on questions, we are very good about linking you up to archived threads

 that will assist you and keep your eye on " Hook Ups " ...... Danglin

  A new guy who's smart enough to browse the archives before asking questions? 



Welcome to the madness! 

Thanks for all the replies boys.  Although I live in Mill Valley I work in my Rohnert Park office 2-4 days a week and at home the other days, depending on the week, so it may be quite possible to hook up in Bodega / Mendocino.  I'll certainly be looking to go local once I get through the 1st half of March.


- Stu

(Usagi; I don't know were your talent for humor emanates from, but sometimes you and certain other ncka members, like Mickfish, just help me laugh.  It's really fun, but bad for my computer keyboard.)

Welcome again Stuart in Mill Valley.  I didn't mean to hijack your thread.  You will find no shortage of friends here, and many NCKA folks are on the SF Bay.

Stu, WELCOME!...you caught da' MADNESS at FIRST-SIGHTING!!! just like I did. 
You seem to have taken care of all the bells&whistles needed for fun....now you need to complete it with entering the AOTY and GETyourFISHON!!
See you out there, somwhere! soon.