Hi Guys... New Kayak Fisherman with some questions

Hi guys,

  I finally jumped in and bought a used kayak...  It was something I wanted to do since I was a kid and finally went for it.  I found an older but great condition Aquaterra Big Kahuna kayak with seat and paddle for $250 and figured it would be good enough to decide whether this sport really is for me.  I have kayaked before and done a good amount of fishing and would like to get myself setup for a good all-around yak fishing rig.  It looks like rock fishing is closed for a while (i'm from southern cali where it doesn't close until january I think)  So is there much else to go for in the ocean or should I mainly just rig up the basics for now for lake fishing???  I'm looking into buying a fishfinder/gps and a VHF radio along with some other ocean essentials eventually but want to get on the water soon and probably can't afford all of it at once.  What would your run down of minimalist essentials be?
   Thanks!

LMU? stay down in socal.  we don't like your kind around here.  

actually please check the following thread:
http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php/topic,14820.0.html

oops, i am a dumb norcaler.  i figured out that you are up here now.

for the rest of the year you can fish sand dabs in the ocean, the bay, delta and lakes.  sturgeon, shark and stripers are going to be the primary targets for this time of year if you aren't a lake guy.  just get used to your kayak first.

There's always sharks, stripers, and sturgeon in the SF Bay during winter.

actually please check the following thread:
http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php/topic,14820.0.html

Agreed.  But that has already been established.  Some choice remains though, much of it dictated by money and how much you want to spend.  For inexpensive wetsuits be sure to check out NRS and Stohlquist.  For Radios consider what or how much waterproof character you are willing to pay for and maybe a floater.  It is not uncommon to drop a radio in the pond.  I managed to do it on the first outing with my newest radio during a launch.  It did eventually wash up in the surf, and after 10 or 15 minutes I found it, and it still works.  If I remember there were two common versions of waterproofness, a JIS 4 and JIS 7 (I think thats close anyway).  I bought JIS 7 which again if I remember correctly is 30 min at 1 meter.  In reality this may not me worth much because my radio is a sinker, I just got lucky the first time I dropped it at the shoreline.   

use the "search" feature and you will get a lot more info.

Welcome to the madness!

Go simple to start.
Get a milk crate, zip tie some 12" pieces of PVC tubing onto it. Bungee or strap it to the yak.
Get one or two trays for your tackle. Go light on the tackle initially, most times I use only one or two lures from the box.
Get a net to comply with F&G regs, get a PFD to comply with USCG regs.
leash anything you don't want to lose

Welcome to the board and to Northbay.  If you plan to do some bay fishing for Sturgeon, get an anchor and rig for quick release setup.

Thanks guys!   Looks like I'll need a Fishfinder and VHF radio,  Already got the basics PFD, Paddle, I'll be ziptying some PVC to a milkcrate to start off simply...    Been using the search function a lot on here,  some great information and seem like a great group of guys,    Thanks!

Dave (I assume) there are a few of us in the south bay. Not much ocean wise with the close of RF season. But there is always stripers, sturgeon, and sharks in the bay. Keep an eye on the hookup section

Don't forget to dress for immersion in the much colder norcal waters.

 

WTTM and don't wait for RF season to get your butt wet.......see you out there soon!