(South Bay) I love rockfishing from the shore, want to try it in the open!

Hey guys,

I live in South Bay and a few years back I tried rockfishing and got hooked (no pun intended). I fished as a kid but then stopped when I moved around for work. Catching rockfish reminded me how much fun it is, so I go out occasionally to fish along the coast between Santa Cruz and Half Moon Bay.

I have a Hobie kayak, used it in freshwater and now I'm looking forward to test it out in the ocean. Haven't done any courses yet and haven't bought the safety gear, but I'm in the process.

Lots of useful info here, so I'm looking forward to joining the fun!

Welcome to the madness

Be sure to practice self rescue and checkout the safety section.

Good stuff. WTTM 

Welcome! Kayaking is a big hassle compared to shore fishing, but the catches will spoil you forever.

Welcome aboard Kro 

3mm farmer john wetsuit, pfd, whistle and personal marine radio are the minimum you need to go out on the salt. Then try Santa Cruz or HMB or Monterey on calm days ( waves at 4' or less and wind less than 9-10mph). I like Windy App the best for forecasts. You can get into fish sooner at SC in the kelp or halibut and even lings in the sand outside the harbor. At HMB you typically need to go further to get to the reef. Boat traffic is worse at HMB. Monterey is a great spot too and easy to launch, get to close reefs, but watch for afternoon winds

Thanks everyone!

3mm farmer john wetsuit, pfd, whistle and personal marine radio are the minimum you need to go out on the salt. Then try Santa Cruz or HMB or Monterey on calm days ( waves at 4' or less and wind less than 9-10mph). I like Windy App the best for forecasts. You can get into fish sooner at SC in the kelp or halibut and even lings in the sand outside the harbor. At HMB you typically need to go further to get to the reef. Boat traffic is worse at HMB. Monterey is a great spot too and easy to launch, get to close reefs, but watch for afternoon winds

Nice tips, greatly appreciated! To be honest I'm a bit scared I should start with taking the launching course in HMB or SC. Maybe it'll help to build up my confidence.

Thanks everyone!

3mm farmer john wetsuit, pfd, whistle and personal marine radio are the minimum you need to go out on the salt. Then try Santa Cruz or HMB or Monterey on calm days ( waves at 4' or less and wind less than 9-10mph). I like Windy App the best for forecasts. You can get into fish sooner at SC in the kelp or halibut and even lings in the sand outside the harbor. At HMB you typically need to go further to get to the reef. Boat traffic is worse at HMB. Monterey is a great spot too and easy to launch, get to close reefs, but watch for afternoon winds

Nice tips, greatly appreciated! To be honest I'm a bit scared I should start with taking the launching course in HMB or SC. Maybe it'll help to build up my confidence.

You don't need to beach launch at HMB, Monterey or SC (harbor launches). Doran and Monterey have beach launch options but usually they are very mild. But learning beach launching is always good and will give confidence. In the Bay, you don't have to worry about swell, but wind and tide currents are the limitation. Wind waves can be pretty tough.

You don't need to beach launch at HMB, Monterey or SC (harbor launches). Doran and Monterey have beach launch options but usually they are very mild. But learning beach launching is always good and will give confidence. In the Bay, you don't have to worry about swell, but wind and tide currents are the limitation. Wind waves can be pretty tough.

Are there any course for the overall kayaking experience (beyond the launch)? I mean other than the safety gear checklist, anything I can do with an instructor to get a better feel at being in the open?

I once tried to paddle out of the SC harbor, just being at open water and going up and down on the waves on a (relatively) tiny boat made me feel a bit nervous... I can take just a general kayaking trip course perhaps or is there anything more specific and targeted for the fishing?

There are courses you can take as well as hiring a professional guide. I took the same course multiple times over the years to keep improving the skills.  Lots of rockfishing spots require launching from the beach, and it does require practice before trying it with all your expensive fishing gear.  There are other spots that are easy to launch without a harbor such as the beach by Monterey Kayak Company, which also does have lessons, guides, and kayaks to rent.  Be a kayaker first, and you will easily become a kayak fisherman.

Welcome! Fellow South Bay here too and recently got hooked on saltwater fishing as well. Let me know if you want to hook up and test out the water.

Yep, wet suit, PDF, radio, compass, perhaps a little air horn and flag. Boats, fog and wind are the big ones to watch out for and having a good fishing buddy is a huge plus.

Welcome! Kayaking is a big hassle compared to shore fishing, but the catches will spoil you forever.

This is true!

Welcome to the madness! Read the safety thread, watch for hookup info, you’re on your way!

Welcome!  Lots of good advice here.  I love to take people out to show safety, how to read forecasts, currents, wind, swell, and of course the fishing.  Hit up a guide down there or come on up to Shelter Cove.  Taking your game up several notches with a dedicated one on one trip is an underrated experience that has assisted quite a few experts here.

Go get it!   

welcome to the group! it is a blast, get your safety gear lined up and join a group hookup from the site!