Intro

Hello all,

I've been kayak fishing lakes, rivers and the delta  out of Big Break Marina, Paradise Point, and other launches for the past 3 years. I currently fish out of a 12' Old Town Topwater PDL with Humminbird electronics. No complaints with the Kayak in the delta, rivers, and lakes. However, I am now looking to fish the SF Bay and out under the golden gate. I live very close to the bay and really need to take advantage of it. Just don't want to get in over my head. Ive heard a few people say the 14' kayak would be best. Just looking for some quality info from people with experience.

Is my current Kayak SF Bay worthy? Why or Why not?
Where to launch? I was thinking aquatic park.
What is one piece of equipment you love (other than your boat)?

thank you in advance,
-Chris

Hi Chris, welcome to NCKA 

Welcome to NCKA Chris.   

Welcome to NCKA Chris !!!

Welcome...I think my friend slays the bay in a 10ft.  Aren’t all the hobie’s 12ft in general?  I have a 12ft that I need to rig and I will use it in the bay.  If you’ve messed with some current in your 3 years and you know your limits you will be fine.  Buddy style helps, all safety gear in order, tell someone where you’ll be.  I think aquatic park would be a good practice.  Horse around inside and creep up to the bay and go out but stay along the pier over to the bay at mason.  Choose a meek tide and don’t forget to bring a rod.  Could be some Hali’s lurking around there and I could use a report, with pics, of course...otherwise maybe it didn’t happen? Outside the gate?  Hmmmm, sketchy until you know how to handle all the diversity of the bay, which still can demand kayaking 401 level skills.  Wind, current, anchoring, planning how to launch and return using the tide...I’m sure some of these skills you have from your adventures.  See ya’ on da wattah’

Favorite piece of equipment besides my lunch...hmmm...my new swimbait setup is gonna yield this year, teramar and Tranx combo...

Welcome aboard Chris 

Hey Chris, welcome to NCKA! Going out on the Bay or ocean has  to do with knowing the tides, and weather more than the type of Kayak. Windy, Magic Seaweed, Tides By Me are the apps I use to determine where to go, or to stay home.

Hello there!

I do fine in a T11 in almost any conditions, including SCA wind + waves.  Not fun, but doable.  You'll never know your own limits or the limits of your boat unless you test em. 
That said, if you have no skills you don't want to get too crazy.  To paraphrase Mooch (the deceased godfather of this club), "Get comfortable paddling first, then think about fishing..."
Put another way, recommend you get out on just straight kayaking trips (no fishing gear), including in pucker conditions, preferably with a padna 
I think/hope you'll find you can handle > what you previously thought

Ima wrote:

I do fine in a T11 in almost any conditions...<snipped>

Yeah, but you will also swim all around in the shark infested SF Bay!