David from Redwood City

Hi all, I was certain I'd registered here before but apparently not.

I live in Redwood City, CA. I don't actually own a kayak(!), I fish from my small decked canoe 'Fern' (pics below).

Most of my fishing is done in inland lakes or the S bay from my larger wood skiff, but I occasionally get out to the coast with Fern for some kelp fishing. I'm headed out to New Brighton SP over the weekend actually.

I joined up to be able to post questions about gear and tactics etc as I'm relatively new to kayak fishing.

Cheers,
David

Welcome to NCKA!

Welcome to the madness David 

Hey David,
Welcome aboard! If you are planning on launching from NB beach, fish the along the outside of the kelp to the west and the area between the bluff with houses on it and the buoy straight out from the wharf. Surf forecast is low, just be aware that high winds that have been coming up earlier in the day this past week.
http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=36.92806707627373&lon=-121.98806762695312&site=mtr&unit=0&lg=en&FcstType=marine
The ling cod action has been pretty good so rig accordingly. DFG has been active in the area on the water inspecting kayaks and boaters on the water for their fishing license, catch, etc. Plenty of tackle available at the little shack on the end of the wharf if you need to resupply. Store all of your bait, fish and food high and secure it well, the racoons in the area are big and skilled at liberating your food and fish.
Good luck, Mike

Thanks all.

I am planning to launch from NB beach. I did the same last year (this is a yearly camping trip with friends and family) and paddled out to the very beginning of the kelp beds off the bluff. Fished the edge of the kelp and a few big holes for about 2 hours with shrimp fly's and a little squid. No hits. Some guys not to far from me had some rock and a ling but they got everything before I hit the water I think.

This time will head a little further out along the kelp and deeper water if conditions are light. I'll try some jigging or casting with some smaller swim baits. Have some other gear to try as well (small lurh jensen jig, some plugs, and of course shrimp flys). I'm targeting rock cod mostly but will be happy with whatever hits.

Do I need to be careful about any of the species in the area? I know some rocks are illegal to catch but do these show up in the shallow kelp beds?

If I get skunked in the water I have my grubs and carolina rigs for surf perch.

Appreciate the tips.

And, yes, I'm well aware of the 'locals' at the campground. They took off with all my cheese and baloney last year!

Welcome ! Sounds like a great way to spend the weekend - I'm jealous !

You can't keep canary, bronzespotted, or yelloweye rockfish, or cowcod. RockfishID.com sells a really helpful pocket identification guide($7) that gives detailed pictures and descriptions of forty common rockfish species. If you're unsure, its a really inexpensive investment that could keep you from making a potentially expensive mistake on the water.

You could definitely run into a yelloweye in that area so its helpful to be able to distinguish between a yelloweye and a vermilion.