Fresh Water Kayak Fishing for Rookies

I really appreciate the additional advice - sorry for the delay for passing on my thanks...I've been in the garage every night tuning my yak for the next trip (plugging holes, adding a pole holder, moving around some additions from the previous owner, etc.).

Eric B.:  I ran into an older guy at Pinecrest last year who swore by his super duper from his kayak, slow trolling in a zig-zag pattern near the river inlet....I didn't get a chance to try one on my last trip but will next time.  Thanks!

Pacifico:  At Pinecrest, I can find the fish from the shore since I've been going for several years...it's the yaking that challenges me.  Let me know if you want me to explain the location of a couple of spots that are usually productive for me.  Also, you may want to call ahead and see when the last plant was and the temp of the water (they keep track at the boat house) - I use that to decide where to put my bait from my two favorite spots on shore....BTW, one is 5 minute walk from the boat dock, one is near the dam, so about 10 minutes walk from the boat dock.  If you are into river fishing, hike up the river about 1/4 mile above the inlet and you'll find some very smart/stubborn >15" trout....I hooked a few of 8-10" fish (that are also pretty smart) and almost got a pretty big rainbow (fat 18"), but spooked him as he was about to take my spinner.  Also some good fly fishing pools up there, but I'm a bit too new at fly fishing and couldn't get the fly selection or delivery right, and the conditions can be cramped.

Mooch:  I'll try the Rooster tail.  I've not had good luck with them in the rivers, but you're the 2nd one to recommend them for the lake and all I need is one fish to change my mind.........  Also, I just happened to buy a Rapala Shad (or something very much like the one you showed).  I finally figured out that the key is that the scoop under the nose is large and gets the lure deeper (which is pretty obvious to me now but wasn't clear to me when I first started using these lures).  And I fully agree on the light line...I use 4lb all the time now.....Thanks!

Paddle and Flies:  I'm excited about the caper....in my test run at Shoreline in Mt View it was much more efficient than the other boat and actually has a bit more room and places to put stuff.  Knuckle scratches haven't been a problem (yet) but blisters have been so I'm gonna try bike gloves (with exposed fingers).  I'll try the headwaters again at Pinecrest...on my trip in June I got there about noon which turned out on that day to be the windiest part of the day and I couldn't fish well, light was bad, the place was crowded, and I was tired from paddling and worried about getting back to the boat docks to link up to my family....next time it's early AM for me there.  Thanks for the reminder on the headwaters!

Thank you all again so much for your advice and insight...

RSR

RSR,  sure any info you can provide would be greatly appreciated.  I'll be leaving to Pinecrest early Thursday morning.  Really looking forward to spending some time on the lake and hopefully the river.  Maybe this time I'll actually land a fish.

Paddle and Flies:  I'm excited about the caper....in my test run at Shoreline in Mt View it was much more efficient than the other boat and actually has a bit more room and places to put stuff.  Knuckle scratches haven't been a problem (yet) but blisters have been so I'm gonna try bike gloves (with exposed fingers).  I'll try the headwaters again at Pinecrest...on my trip in June I got there about noon which turned out on that day to be the windiest part of the day and I couldn't fish well, light was bad, the place was crowded, and I was tired from paddling and worried about getting back to the boat docks to link up to my family....next time it's early AM for me there.  Thanks for the reminder on the headwaters!

Thank you all again so much for your advice and insight...

RSR

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Work dem headwaters.  I've been a serious paddler for years and I just started wearing paddling gloves...nice! Biking gloves work but... they can be really hot.
Also, try not to hold your paddle so tight.

Pacifico-
I sent an email explaining how to reach me for a description (it's a little complicated).  Hope I caught you in time.

Paddle and Flies-
Hmmmm....hadn't thought about the heat factor. Thanks!  Are the paddle gloves leather or other material?  Are they roughly the same price range as bicycle gloves?  I assume most Kayak stores have them (I am closest to Outback Adventures in San Jose on Saratoga Ave.), but if not, any suggestions for where I can find them?  And I'll loosen up on the paddle....
Thanks again,
RSR

Paddle and Flies-
Hmmmm....hadn't thought about the heat factor. Thanks!  Are the paddle gloves leather or other material?  Are they roughly the same price range as bicycle gloves?  I assume most Kayak stores have them (I am closest to Outback Adventures in San Jose on Saratoga Ave.), but if not, any suggestions for where I can find them?  And I'll loosen up on the paddle....
Thanks again,
RSR
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The Kokatat or the NRS gloves are made of a light duty neoprene that you should be able to handle in the hotest. My choice is the Kokatat Hand Jackets in Mid weight.
Both have UV protection, which is a good reason not to take them off at all.
Outback carries both I think. Tell Jay I sent you. The gloves will make a nice difference