What to look for in a yak?

Hi, i have been reading this forum for quite a while now and it seems like you guys have loads of fun on your kayaks.  Now i would really like to buy a boat, but that is very unrealistic for me, especially with gas going up.  But seeing what you guys are catching makes me think that kayaks can be just as effective when searching for the big fish.  I am highly considering buying a kayak but I dont know if i can kayak.  Do you guys know of a place in the bay area where i could rent a kayak or maybe even get a lesson?  I live in mountain view so any place from Santa Cruz up to frisco would be okay for me to go to.  What general size would i be looking to try out so i could get a feel for what i would be doing out in the ocean?

Thank you,
MV

My advice:

before even thinking about fishing from a kayak - take lessons on kayak safety first....
Half Moon Bay Kayak Co.
Pillar Point Harbor, CA
650.773.6101
http://www.hmbkayak.com
-has a great staff and will teach you everything you need to know about kayaking - (self rescue,paddling techniques....) they rent kayaks, wetsuits and all the gear you need for your first day on the Ocean...

As far as learning how to fish from a kayak, Allen Bushnell of Santa Cruz will be holding a clinic at Monterrey Bay Kayaks soon (you may want to call Monterrey Bay kayaks to reserve a spot - and get the specific date as well) OR you can always post on the hook-up section on this site and I'm sure you'll have no problem finding quality company!

Test ride as many kayaks as you can before you make your final decision.....FYI: a majority of the kayak fishing community paddles 14-15 foot sit-on-top kayaks.

Good luck and hope to see you on the water soon!

Thanks Mooch, that was exactly what i was looking for.  I think i will give that place in halfmoon bay a call.  You wouldn't happen to know how much or how many classes they give would you?

here ya go:

http://www.hmbkayak.com/classes.html


Kayak fishing guide / Allen Bushnell (super cool cat   )

http://www.santacruzkayakfishing.com/

Wow!  That looks like a lot of bank,  Out of all those classes, which do you, an expierenced kayaker think i would need to be safe out there?  From me just looking at it, i would think i would need to take Intro to sea kayaking, Open Water, Sea Navigation, and Ocean coast paddling.

I'm no expert - I still have more to learn....I suggest you give these guys a call and tell them what you plan to do = fishing...and go from there. You can also contact Allen B.  - I believe he covers all the safety procedures about kayaking in general. He does have extra kayaks and fishing equipment as well.

IMO: don't cut corners on learning safety procedures - the extra cost will keep you alive if and when  

...believe me, I had to learn the HARD WAY  

.....because it's rather like motorcycles......no if......just when.  You need your skills more up front than later because you not only want to survive some bad turns of weather but also those inevitable bad decisions....
Pat

I also recommend checking out a guide. I went out my first time with Allen. Great experience, I believe SteveS does some guiding with Allen as well. There is also Brendan Crane @ Central Coast Kayak Fishing. All of there contact info is in the guide section:

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/component/option,com_mtree/task,listcats/cat_id,43/Itemid,56/

You can also rent kayaks at Tomales Bay.

Kayaking is simple. The better shape you are in the further you can go. Start out in easy places, such as SF bay, Tomales Bay, Bolinas beach or Bodega Bay.

Things to be aware of, watch the cloud line out in the ocean, it can bring fog on you fast. So, you definitely should have a compass and a GPS is a great tool if you plan on getting very far from shore.

Also, pay attention to wind and tides, the tide under the Golden Gate can carry you faster than you can paddle. Going downwind is easy but coming back or even across the wind can be a tough work out. The wind tends to come up in the afternoon.

If you launch from a beach watch the tide and wind. The surf can be small when you go out but a rising wind and tide change can change everything.

Kayaking is really very easy, it's just knowing the things that can get you  into trouble that takes some time to learn.

MV,
I tried my first Sit On Top free at the Kayak Connection in Santa Cruz.  I had a vague idea of what I wanted.  Tried out a couple then bought one.

There were pretty cool and laid back.  It would not have been an issue if I just paddled one around and didn't buy it.

So, you might go this route just to try before you buy (or take a lesson).  I never took a lesson, but learned the hard way.  This forum wasn't around back then to ask questions, so it was more trial and error as well as surfing other sites for limited info.  

Now a days, you can hook up pretty easy with a partner and feel much safer.

Stuart

I think that taking a basic kayaking class is a must for anyone getting into this sport. There are so many variables that if you have more than a couple of basic questions it means a class is in order. I took mine back before anyone had really heard of sit on top kayaks, but the navigation, safety, and general awareness is the same regardless of kayak style. A good class will teach paddle stokes, rescue techniques, etc. As more & more folks get into this (especially fishing, which adds an additional set of tasks) I'm starting to see more accidents on the water (mostly in socal-its more forgiving down there) that could be avoided with basic paddling skills taught in any decent intro class. California Canoe & Kayak in HMB (if they are still there), Kayak Connection in SC, or even Outdoors Unlimited at UCSF in the city all have good programs, and these are just the ones I'm familiar with. Outdoors Unlimited is part of the UCSF recreation program but is open to all and may be cheaper than the commercial shops. My old instructor there is currently paddling from the CA border to Aquatic park in SF. He should be somewhere around the Lost Coast now...
Anyway, IMHO an intro class is as valuable as test paddling-it will let you know what you're in for & you can see if kayaking is for you before you spend $2K on kayaks

-Sean
Piscean Artworks
Bonny Doon, CA

One other aspect of getting ready is knowing the ocean.  Following is the report of a spearfishing event in which many participants were on kayaks.  They launched less than 2 miles from the Stillwater Cove (Carmel) launch, but it is a launch directly into the ocean.  Conditions were not appropriate to the day's planned activities.

http://www.sfreefdivers.org/feb2002.pdf

See Page 4

HIGH FIVE SPEARFISHING
TOURNAMENT
By Mike Staninec

I am a bit more cognizant of respecting the ocean at the moment since I recently mande a series of bad decisions on a paddle in Monterey Bay.  I fortunately finally made enough good choices, and had enough skill, to get myself back to a safe landing.

I am looking forward to Lake Mendocino........

Pat.......hopefully wiser

thanks for all your info.  I decided i will not buy a kayak until next year because of winter coming in and i would rather start my learning experience when the water is safer.  But i did plan a trip with Allen in Santa Cruz so i can try kayak fishing before having to go through the expenses of lessons and buying my own kayak.

just an FYI:

Bay Area Paddlefest this weekend at Coyote Point, San Mateo = best place to paddle MANY different kayaks.

for more info -
www.bayareapaddlefest.com

....wish I could make it but Lake Mendocino is calling my name...