Ocean salmon?

Still new to sea kayak, probably always will be.

I saw a note that ocean salmon will open on April 7, supposed to be a good forecast.  Anyone know where would be a good place to fish for them from the yak, that is relatively safe and not too far from shore?

There is nothing quite as tasty as fresh salmon!

-Steve

Hi Steve. 

There is nothing quite as tasty as fresh salmon!

...and there's nothing quite like fighting a king from the yak while on a solo mission on the ocean!  From Novato and wanting opportunities for salmon close to shore I'd recommend studying up on Linda Mar, Bird Rock and Dux areas - look back through old fishing reports from the member "Blue Kayak".  "Close to shore" is a relative term when it comes to catching a salmon in salt - plan to get at least a mile or two offshore for your best chances, but they do come in closer at times.  If you're willing to travel further you may find them in close around Monterey, or you can come up north - we score in close at Shelter Cove, off Humboldt Bay, and Trinidad, but the predictability of a salmon bite in less than 120' of water is very tough. 

My M.O. is to run barbless hooks with chovies or herring basically all late spring and summer - even on rockfish/lingcod or halibut missions being ready to legally bag a salmon is key.

We're hoping for good numbers of salmon from our yaks at Gimme Shelter Sixth Annual Kayakfishing Tournament at Shelter Cove on May 12, 2012 - it's the only fish I'll target at the tournament until I have my limit or it becomes apparent that the bite's not happening.

Ocean salmon fishing from my kayak, right now and as far as I can see into the future, is my favorite pastime.   

The closest the salmon tend to get occurs in summer. Lindamar, Muir, and dux area all get close fish. Typically the high time is around the final time trial in the tour de France. Linda Mar you can get fish right inside the cove, Muir just outside both easy paddles through the surf.

Practice first-dont go out alone....blah blah blah.