Such a Beginner it Hurts

Howdy,

My name is Erich Ziegler. I was directed to this site by "Mooch", who, from 2 minutes of popping around this site is obviously not a stranger here.  Thanks for directing me to this site Mooch, even if you picked on Arnold.

I am going to have the opportunity to be on the pacific coast of Nicaragua for 3-6 months come February 2009 and the only thing I want to do is go Kayak Fishing very day.  However, I have only been in a Kayak 3 times in my life.

My first question, please -
Should I start with basic Sport Kayak Clinics from someone like Aquan Sports or is there anyway to immediately combine the Kayaking and Fishing lessons together?   

You know what though, as I read through the pamphlet they definitely cover essential classes that we should probably attend. 

Then come back to y'all in 3 months for the Kayak Fishing Advice?

Did I answer my own question?

Ha.

Thanks for any advice you can offer.

Cheers,

EZ

Erich:

Welcome to the site.

I suggest getting on a kayak and paddling a couple miles somewhere.  That'll give you a better idea of what you're wanting out of it.  I don't see why you can't start fishing very soon after getting your feet wet.

Have fun.   

Eric

PS:  Gooch - why'd you pick on Arnold?!   

is there anyway to immediately combine the Kayaking and Fishing lessons together?

Yes!  Freshwater 101 is for folks just like you...http://www.greatwhitekayakcompany.com/yakfishuniversity.html

Erich -

I would take a class to learn basic paddling, self rescue and surf skills first. The ocean can be unforgiving and you need to be prepared. Then I would hook-up with Allen or Brendan for a kayak fishing lesson or just hook up with other NCKA folks. Check out PAL's website http://www.kayakfishingzone.com/MainPages/howto.html    lot's of good stuff for newbies and veterans also. See out there and welcome to "the madness". 

Scott

Ferget about beginner talk, you'll get there ... tell us about Nicaragua!!!

-Allen

Well the wife and I will be taking Kayak 101 on 6/21 and Kayak 201 on 7/27.  Following those 2 lessons we will be looking to take some of the specific courses when they are offered.  We want to do this 100% correct, cause we realize that this is going to be a life-long hobby for both of us.

Meanwhile I am looking into the possibilities of shipping a Kayak down to our house in Nicaragua.

Which leads me to a little more info about the place in Nicaragua.

It is located on the southern Pacific shores of Nicaragau, about 20 miles south of the town San Juan del Sur.  There is a huge Bay that is shared with Costa Rica right in front of the property called Soleo Bay, with deserted beaches as far as the eye can see.

A couple of us have started a LLC that we are using to provide fractional ownership of a modern, 2700 sq ft home about 2 minutes away from the beach.  The owner of the company who built our houses tells me that his favorite thing in all the world is to throw his kayak in the ocean and go fishing for the day.  We are going down over Memorial Day weekend to officially get the keys to the new house (this has been 3 and a half years in the making, so we are all very excited).

If you are interested in the area the house is at, the fishing that is available and the specific location of the property check-out the company that is building the homes - www.localtreasureinternational.com.  Alot of specific information about the property can be found under the tab "Costa Paraiso".  The fishing tab might also be of high interest to some of you 

Pictures of the house and the property can be seen here:
www.dmnconstruction.shutterfly.com

The plan is to drop out come 2/2009, drive through central america to the house in southern Nicaragua and spend 3-6 months at the house.  I hope to be eating freshly caught fish in an amazing cevice everyday!

If anyone is interested in learning more about this area, the possibility to use the house and fish (the other houses on the property have kayaks and would be willing to lend them out), please feel free to write me directly at [email protected].  We are at the very first steps of renting the place, so will be very liberal in terms of renting.  Heck, I'd even be willing to trade lessons for a week free at the house.

Please understand that his is not a business solicitation, hell, we are only getting official ownership of the place in a month.  But someone asked about Nicaragua so I thought I'd share.

Thanks again for the initial advice and I look forward for years and years of communications on this board.

Erich

Wow. I'm jealous. Thats an awesome house in really beautiful surroundings. I'd love to go and fish down there. Maybe one day.

Hi Erich,  thanks for joining the group.  Joel/Mooch is a favorite good person who I have also never yet met.

Don't ever worry about being a kayak beginner.  We have all been there.

Your location in Nicaragua seems rather good.  It's south of the Panema Canal and you are in a neat bay there.

You are near the equator, so I hope you can cool off in the water every day.

To a lot of us, your location is exotic, so we look forward to hearing your reports.

Thank you for any pictures and descriptions.

Of course we are curious what you are doing in Nicaragua in the first place.  To me that is almost as remote as The Galapagos Islands.

Anyway, I just wanted to say thank you and welcome, and I look forward to hearing more adventures from you.

-Matt