I'm hooked!!!!!

 

Hi everyone I'm a total newb here and I just wanted to say Hi and introduce my self...

My name is Dan (just like it says) I live up in Chico, Ca. I've been fishing since I was a kid but I'm getting more and more hooked as I get older. Plus my work schedule gives me 15 days a month to fish...not too shabby huh...so I try to fit it in as much as possible. Sadly I don't own a boat so I shore fish mostly with mixed results. I just know that if I was on the other side of the river or in the middle of the lake I could do so much better, and there is no trolling from land, sniffle. My friend and I use his "tiny" aluminum boat but it's loud and all he has is an electric trolling motor for propulsion or a pair of oars and it's no fun in the wind...plus it's uncomfortable... and did I mention loud? especially if you drop a lure.

So it hit me the other day that a kayak would work so much better for me. I perfer to have my space, go where I want (alone sometimes), not have to worry about getting in someone else's way, etc...Not to mention that I really couldn't afford a good Bass boat nor do I have a means of transporting a large boat. But a kayak can fit on top of my car so it would be like my own personal boat or so the dream goes any way. I'm also really into freshwater fishing and there are some places that boats aren't even allowed and many others a boat flat out can' t reach. I believe a kayak can not only improve my fishing but improve my health too. I like win-win situations don't you?

So my goal this year is to buy a kayak and fish till I drop...but first I'm going to have to learn how to use a kayak, safety and all, then add the fishing in as I go. The hunt has already begun and I've been searching the forum and the rest of the net for reviews and what not but I'm just going to have to get out there and try some out. My local outdoors shop has a slim inventory of yaks and few demos that tend to fall on my work days. They really didn't have much kayak fishing knowledge either so I'll probably look elsewhere....Sean at GW seems to be the man around here and I don't mind a drive out to the coast to get my feet wet...so if you're reading this Sean I'll be hitting you up soon...


So what I'm looking for...I'm 6'4" 220-250 depending on the time of year so I'll need something big enough to fit my big a** and still be able to carry it on top of my car. Weight isn't really an issue for me as I won't be lifting my yak too high to mount it and most of the launch spots around me are pretty easy to use too. I will be starting out in what I know, that being freshwater lakes and rivers. I got Lake Oroville, Lake Paradise, Lake Shasta, Clear Lake, Lake Mendocino, Eagle Lake, Sacramento, Fall and Feather rivers all just a hop and skip away so my playground is huge and predator free for the most part. If anyone can offer demos, advice, good fishing spots, etc I will be more than grateful to learn from someone who has experience. Like I said I have 15 days a month I can spend on the water so I can fish just about anytime I want to. At least my job is good for something huh.


I'll also keep a journal of my adventures on here too so that I can share my experiences with all of you. And after spending an entire day reading about all the fun you guys have on your yaks I can't wait to jump in.

Dan....

You can learn a lot from reading this forum. I hope you find the yak you are looking for (I prefer the X Factor). Although you sound like a freshwater fisherman, you MUST try yak fishing in the ocean. It's a rush!

CHEERS!

Welcome to the madness (as joel calls it). I live in Forest Ranch and work in Chico. I have a
WS Tarpon13 Tandum and a 13ft Sit-inside ocean kayak. PM me if you want to hook up. We (my son Ty and I) fish almanor. Oroville, The Sac. willing to go else where and have been to the Bay once. Give us a holler. Randall

Welcome to the Madness Dan  (mr. Bigfoot beat me to it )

Anyway, if you have some free time this weekend, there will be a section at Fred Hall Show at the Cow Palace - entirely dedicated to KAYAK FISHING  There will seminars held by our own NCKA bros as well as some of the kayak guides from Southern Cal. NCKA will have a booth and several of the veterans will be hanging out to entertain any questions regarding kayak fishing. There will also be a few fully rigged kayaks on display so please feel free to come by and say hello

Hope to see you on the water soon!

And as far as selecting a kayak for yourself = test paddle as much as you can....(do not settle for the first one you paddle....I've seen too many people fall into this "trap" ) .....and if the "shoe fits", then go for it Good luck 

The Cow Palace this weekend cool. I might have 4 days in a row off so I guess I can take 1 day off from fishing and check it out. You got a link to the event or do you know how much it costs and what time/day it's going to be?


I'll be the guy with the 

here you go Dan -
http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/bb/index.php?topic=6966.0

Most of the gang will be there on Sunday - hope to see you there!

Wecome Dan   ...I tried to work the whole 15 days a month to fish but for some reason the company I work for seems to have a bit of an issue with it.  Gonna have to try to work out another way of convincing them  

I hope this isn't too far off topic but about the show... I plan on going Sunday, hopefully I'll get to meet alot of you.  Since I've never been to one of these shows and I happen to be one of those people who can't pass up a good deal, and unfortunately sometimes a bad one... would it be advisable to carry cash or will most of the vendors/booths accept credit cards?


--
Angel

Most will take credit cards but then your wife will know what you bought

Most will take credit cards but then your wife will know what you bought

I knew there was an advantage to not being married.   

Angel - there will be a lot of good deals at this show - so, becareful

Dang stomach bug is keeping me from the water plus I have to work a couple of extra days this week...Going to try and hit up the Feather river in the morning if my stomach feels better....


Sunday sounds like the day so I'll try to make it then, depends on how much loot I have left.


I'm going to start my online journal here soon " From land to the water, A rookies journey to becaome a kayak fisherman"
I'll have pics and maybe some video, depends on how much time I have...


thanks for the support I can't wait to get started!!!

Welcome!