Introduction and Elkhorn Slough

Hi,

Just wanted to say hi and introduce myself. I go by Neemo on this board but my name is David and I'm a real newbe. Since I've just started kayaking (renting) I've kept to the Slough as I figured it's the place where I can get out of trouble most easly.

Althgouh I haven't fished from the kayak before (or on the ocean for that matter) I'm getting stuff ready for a fishing trip on the slough Sat/Sun (27th, 28th).

Question that I have for you guys is, whether the slough is a good enough fishing and kayaking ground to hone my skills on? I personaly love padling it, but I want to start fishing it as well. How productive is it or should I not waste my time?

I've been doing some research and it seem that leopard sharks are abundant in the slough so I'll probably start looking into hooking some of those...

Please bear with me as I'll probably be asking my questions in the near future...

welcome neemo.  Much of the slough is a no fishing zone so do some checking on the Marine Protected area there before you start soaking bait.

I have not fished the slough much but smaller sharks and rays seem to be the more common catch.

for getting ocean comfortable the beach in front of Monterey bay Kayak MBK is calm and a great place to get started.  Ditto for santa cruz harbor.

Eugene

Welcome neemo!
Yeah, the fishing inside the slough is a waste of time. I have done some fishing for rays+sharks in there (both from shore and from boat/kayak) and it was pretty bad. The only potential excitement was from small rays.
To tell you the truth, it is not what I consider a mellow/easy place to paddle either. The current can rip through there and the wind is often a problem too. I remember seeing a news report of a person who fell off their kayak and got into trouble recently.
Combine those factors with the notion that most of it is a State Marine Reserve and, well, I wouldn’t bother. You can only fish the area that is within about 200 yards of the HWY 1 bridge (can’t go any further east). And that is where the current is most dangerous. Here’s a link to the new (as of Sept 2007) marine Reserve: http://www.dfg.ca.gov/mlpa/ccmpas_list.asp#elkhornsmr

I would suggest launching from either: MBK or San Carlos Beach or SC Harbor. Those are all relatively safe places with decent fishing.
Good luck!
PK

Welcome aboard, neemo.   

Excellent advice from Eug and PK - the info they've given is what this site is all about.  Hope you get out on a cool adventure to start your madness-training, and be sure to chime back in with a report and some photogs.   

Another Newbee!!!! I love it!! . Welcome aboard! The slough is A fun place to paddle and used to be A great place to fish. I have caught some  monster Rays in that water and some decent sized sharks.Although that was before they added the no fishing zones. My favorite place was next to the dairy farm which is now A no fishing zone. . Anyway San Carlos beach would be your best bet. Dont forget to post in Hookups when your ready to go, I may join you,Good luck and welcome to the madness... ... Andy

Welcome aboard, neemo.   

Excellent advice from Eug and PK - the info they've given is what this site is all about.  Hope you get out on a cool adventure to start your madness-training, and be sure to chime back in with a report and some photogs.   

Yeah!...what he said, about what they said!...and WTTM too!
IusedTObeAregular-NORMALperson.
...then this MADNESS took me over!

Thank you all for your tips and encouragement.

I'll start going to MBK after this weekend. I've planned next weekend's trip to the Slough for the last couple of weeks and got a bunch of guys that haven't been on the water to come try it with me. So, we'll just spend the day paddling and I'll be practicing rescues with my son.

Personally, I love the slough because of all the wildlife. Last time I went there with 3 other guys, we ended up having to pull our kayaks through the mud for a good 20-30 yards or so after we got stuck in one of the channels. Still it was lots of fun.

I wanted to wait and not launch on the big blue until after I had taken at least one class with my son. Just to play it safe. Fortunately I'm planning to take the class within the next month or so, after which I'll be looking at buying all the gear... 

Thanks again for all your input.

Thank you all for your tips and encouragement.

I wanted to wait and not launch on the big blue until after I had taken at least one class with my son. Just to play it safe. Fortunately I'm planning to take the class within the next month or so, after which I'll be looking at buying all the gear... 

Thanks again for all your input.

Wise choice!  see you out there soon! Keep it simple and light.

Welcome Neemo

Glad you decuded to try thid, I know I am.
I am a relative newby also, just got started this spring.

I can tell you that you find the greatest people here at NCKA, don't be afraid to ask questions.

Get yourself hooked up with the right safety equipment first.

Then some lessons, at least self rescue.

Then give us a holler and we'll go. I've been out of SC Harbor quite a few times now and stillwater, and moss landing too. SC Harbor is a breeze, just keep your eyes open and go with buddies.

An easy trip  early on would be to the mile buoy and around capitola, just stay up wind if your not in decent shape, the trip back into the wind after a long day is murder.
After a while you'll get familiar with reading the swell conditions and weather.
I'll go with you anytime you want (weekends of course) just PM and we'll get a bunch together.

Be warned I'm OK on a yak in most conditions, but a lousy fisherman, been skunked a lot this year LOL.
Maybe you can change my luck or teach me some skills

Stoggie

Went on the slough again on Sunday. There were 7 of us.

Either somebody was doing some illegal fishing or it just drifted in, but I found a 4" floater that when I went to get it out of the water to dispose of it properly had a fish hooked in. It had a weight at the end of a 3ft leader with about 6 hooks, just drifting around...

Released the fish (6-7 in) and disposed of the setup.

Other then that we had a blast. Practiced lots of self rescue. One of my brothers that had come a long had to be rescued by MBK as he couldn't make it under the bridge anymore (currents were too strong) and ended up walking while the employee towed his yak. Although the current was very strong my brother is huge (6,3 @ 340#) so not in great shape. Still, he liked it so much, he wants to do it again  this time maybe only one way and get the shuttle back from Kirby park.

I've been telling people at work about it and I have 3-4 of them that want to do it as well. So we'll probably go back there in a couple of weeks after which I'll be taking lessons.

Thanks for the updated report!...you guys are gettin some real time safety practices that EVERYONE needs to do and practice.
Can you shoot some pics the next time out....I'm sure something could be learned from it....maybe learn that THIS IS IMPORTANT.
Good on you for getting others involved, but SAFTEY FIRST is the key you are cutting.   
hope you can get a few good shots for us!