best place for beginning kayaker to fish the ocean

hints?

are you just trying to reach 10 posts to be able to sell something?

kinda, but as a kayak owner, now that i have joined i do have questions i have always wanted to know. Doran is obvious but i have fished out of a private boat north of jenner and with in 1/4 mile from shore and caught rockfish in 30 to 50 feet of water. always wonder about safe launching from shore around there.

Depends how beginner and what your set up is. But if you have the wetsuit, pfd and marine radio, then Half Moon Bay or Santa Cruz or Doran are the easiest launches. Timber Cove would be the next with usually easy launch and better fishing. In the Bay you need to know the tides. Definitely check wind and swell with wind less than 10mph and swell 3' or 4' or less.

Also, you may want to start out in freshwater to get comfortable with the layout, and dealing with smaller fish.

Monterey (once rockfish season opens).

i have read ( on this site ) about bolinas being very doable but not sure about rockfish there just crab

Bolinas is Not a good beginner spot.

Generally advised that you not try a surf launch for the first time going out in the ocean.  I'd suggest trying the bay which halibut fishing should be picking up when it starts to warm up.  There will be a lot of youtube inspiration i'm sure too.

Get out early. Wind and chop usually increase by lunchtime. Go near other people in case something goes wrong.

thinking about this, we've actually got a couple folks who are kayak friendly, but yet to try it in saltwater (Keith and Ken come to mind)  we may need to find some glass day and head out to Doran or HMB and get a couple new folks on the saltwater.

100%, Ken, Adrian and I, and I'm sure several others are ready to get salty!
It would be awesome if there was a get together set up with all the salt newbs and a few seasoned vets to show up the ropes.
Maybe start at ARW for Halibut first and then another one later for venturing out on the big blue!

Kevin

Launched Bo four times and 4 yardsales on landing..... it is not the huge surf (usually not too big) but the lack of beach especially at higher tides.... sometimes you have to land right on the ramp or very close to it.... small thumping shore pound can be challanging..... lost a net a pole a downrigger weight and a radio..... not all at once but over the 4 landings.... Sure others have done worse with much equipment loss.

Made me take a surf kayak class in Half moon bay..... then they closed salmon season so I have yet to try it again with some techniques that I had no idea of before....  Think I can land safely now but will be stowing everything I can before trying again.

Half moon bay and Monterey and Doran are a whole lot easier.

Troy

100%, Ken, Adrian and I, and I'm sure several others are ready to get salty!
It would be awesome if there was a get together set up with all the salt newbs and a few seasoned vets to show up the ropes.
Maybe start at ARW for Halibut first and then another one later for venturing out on the big blue!

Kevin

forgot about the bay, just a big lake with a high salt content!  yah, after the weather clears

Good advice from everyone.
I would add a few things:
- get minimal gear, make sure it’s secure. This will give you peace of mind in case you flip, which is actually good, since it’s part of training
- go with someone if possible, or to a beach with people. There’s safety in numbers
- bays are good, except for The Bay, which is not a beginner place if tides and other things go wrong
- do your safety research. The number one cause of deaths is hypothermia. There’s no replacement for prep

And after a few outings remember that good seas don’t make good sailors.