Salt Point Today ....

Im am soo ready to get into a kayak.
By 6:00 AM today.  Im parked and down
On the rocks. 

Foggy still and 8 second period between waves.
Only slipped 3 times having a great morning so
Far.  One small blue catch n released.

About 9:00 am time to move. In route slipped hard
Knocked the wind out of myself snapped the tip
Off my pole.

Kept fishing with my broken rod tip .  Hooked into a nice
Greenling put on my stinger in a tide pool.
Big wave came thru and swept my fish and stringer away.

Ive never had such a fantastic day. 
Back at the car by 11:00 and stopped at the Ft. Ross over look
And saw an entire floatilla of about 28 kayaks. 
Im really ready for the kayak world.

Weather was great.  Fishing for me was slow at best.
Cheers Y`All....

I came up in abalone diving while also having some childhood experiences in fishing from the rocks.  In my mid 20's I moved more to the rocks, and then when I turned 30 I got my first kayak and went offshore.

I still like fishing from the rocks sometimes, but kayak fishing changed my life.

You sound ready.  Go get it.  Best of luck.   

Yeah, there is quite a contrast between casting from the rocks all day to maybe catch a few small rockfish versus going out at the same spot in a kayak and returning with a 30-pound stringer. Hopefully we can manage the fisheries well as more and more people discover kayak fishing.

Welcome to the madness. Do you have your safety skills sorted?

KPD

Welcome to the madness. Do you have your safety skills sorted?
I met Spike in bodega a few years ago and tried his website left
A few attempsts to get intouch and sighn up for his hands on course.
But never heard back from him. 

No i dont but would love to find a safety course i could sighn up for
That would teach Safety skills.  Scenario skills how to reenter your boat,
how to rite Your mayak and safety gear to pack . Probably should get
CPR certification wouldnt be a bad idea as well.

This is a good place to start learning about the safety issues you need to consider, and the gear that can improve your chances of survival if things go wrong: http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=27534.0

Things that can save your life: dress for immersion, wear a PFD, let someone know where you are going and when you should be back, have a submersible VHF Marine radio and know how to use it, have means and knowledge to navigate, don't go out in bad conditions.

Oh yeah, and welcome to the madness! 

Its well worth the investment to do it safe, welcome

Hey Noah, I highly recommend that you take sea kayaking 1&2 at one of the local shops before getting a kayak. You will learn all the basics plus assisted, and self rescue. I think Clavey’s might be the closest shop near you. I took my classes at California Canoe, and Kayak in Oakland if you don’t mind a drive.

I was at lake Berryessa a few years ago and the wind pushed me into the branches of a fallen tree. I was stuck and couldn’t push away, or move away with standard paddling. I remembered how had learned to paddle the kayak sideways, and was able to move away. Knowing the basics can get you out of all types of trouble. Good Luck   

Clavey's is cool. Visited before and there was a rad moto and dog adding to the ambience. Neat kayaks hanging about... even picked up a kayak n paddle and learned some interesting history!

Do it

Went too Clavey Sports today.
Theyre not sure when next kayak
Class will be.  Last one was in may
Missed the e mail about that one.

Check with Monterey Bay Kayak (MBK) - they offer some great classes as reported by many here on NCKA

Welcome.
 As mentioned, Step #1 is getting the safety gear. Some of us won't be very kind and avoid fishing with you if we see you without it. Not because we are A..holes (Its a positive helpful group) but because we aren't fond of risking our lives for the unprepared
Step #2 Watch those YouTube videos and practice self-rescue in a warm local lake
Step #3 Consider hiring Eric Stockwell or ? to guide your first ocean adventure and / or tag along with some of the experienced people from this site. Have partners you can trust for Ocean trips ! 
Step #4 Watch the wind and wave reports and if Ocean fishing be sure you  know how to launch and land from a beach, versus launching from  a harbor.
Step #5 Catch some fish.

Little River Man .
Ive read your post 4 times.
I thoroughly agree with all your step by step foot work 100%.
Safety first.  The last thing i want to do is put someone else
My friends and family or myself in harms way. Totaly understood.

Who is Eric Stockwell ?  A instructor ?  Contact info ?

Little River Man .
Ive read your post 4 times.
I thoroughly agree with all your step by step foot work 100%.
Safety first.  The last thing i want to do is put someone else
My friends and family or myself in harms way. Totaly understood.

Who is Eric Stockwell ?  A instructor ?  Contact info ?

LoletaEric on this board, you can send him a DM or PM or whatever it's called here. He's the first person to respond to your original post. I've heard nothing but good things about him from people who have done a trip with him. I'll have to make the trip up there someday.

Edit: His contact info is in his sig:
I am a licensed guide.  DFW Guide ID:  1000124.   Let's do a trip together.

Loleta Eric's Guide Service

[email protected] - call me up at (707) 845-0400

http://www.loletaeric.com

Oh man i missed all of that info on Eric.
Thanks for the point out.  Ill give him a shout
Soon.  Salt point and all the coves are basically my
Backyard im only an hour away driving slowly.
Ive spent most of my fishing time from the rocks.
Which is fantastic in its own rite but time for a change.

I think im gonna head to clavey sports today for a PFD And
Maybe a farmer john wet suit.  If they have what i need.