Kayak fly-fishing in the Bay Area == pointless?

Everything seems to be targetted too deep for fly-fishing gear.  I know some people are trolling 10-12 wt rods (what's the point of running fly-gear at that point?) but I'm thinking I'm going to have to break down and buy conventional gear.... 

Anyone got happy-info for me, or should I start trying to figure out what boring-old-conventional gear I need to start running?     

I've done some boat-based trolling in the South Pacific, ages and ages ago (Kwajalein) but nothing since then.  Any gear suggestions?

-mox

Hi Yaker:

         Ricky (Paddles and Flys) did quite well with his Sage 9 weight in the Kelp Beds off of Santa Cruz. I had a good time booking with Ricky.
         

http://www.paddleandflies.com
                                                                     Ernie

Plenty of kayak fly fishing opportunities in the Bay Area. Go to: http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php/board,28.0.html

Z

In one of those "Hooked on Fishing the Golden Gate" videos, they have a segment on fly fishing for stripers along the San Quentin rock wall.  It's either Vol. 2 or 3.   

Stripers in the sloughs in the south bay on a fly!

I used to FF the tidal lagoons of the rivers and creek along the San Mateo Coast for steelhead out of a tube can be good after a high tide when the rivers are low the fish just sorta hang out trying to get upriver. Just bone up on the regs they are only open certain days of the week.

Stripers in the bay, and blues in the kelp. Use leadcore for both. Decievers etc...

Stripers in the sloughs in the south bay on a fly!

Which sloughs\areas have you fished? I'm on the Peninsula, and might be in good proximity.

I wouldn't say pointless. For freshwater, trout, LMB, steelhead and stripers are good targets. For saltwater, stripers and halis are good targets. It's not like Hawaii, Mexico or the South Pacific, but you can fly fis every week year round. Like anything in life, it is what you make it to be.

scott

Whoa!
Mox, you've fished Kwaj? Sweet!
My grandfather used to go to the Marshall Islands for "business" every other month for about 6 years. He always had great stories about the fishing+culture there.

I think you'd have a good chance to catch LMB in the southbay lakes come April. As well as stripers in San Luis Res + the Forebay between March and June. And of course, the delta for stripers+LMB.
I know these guys flyfish San Luis quite often: http://www.danblanton.com/bulletin.php

Good luck!
PK

Sin Coast, whoa, you've HEARD of Kwaj?   

One of the advantages of living out that way; supreme fishing and diving experiences!  I ditched all the diving gear when we moved back though; may have been a mistake. 

Soon as I get my kayak picked out and geared, just look for the dork tipping over in the lakes (to start) with a fly rod and come say hi!  I actually found this board via Tightlinez over on SanJoseBass.com - he had a post up about fishing with you and I was trying to decide between a tube, a 'toon and a kayak.  I think the 'yak is the right move ... except for the ease of tossing a tube/toon in the water vs lugging a 13-15' behemoth around.   

-mox

Every boat has its share of advantages and disadvantages . Be it a tube, pontoon, kayak, or Mastercraft. I will definitely be doing some FFing this year. Heck, I've got 4 flyrods+reels but haven't used any of em for years. I also think FFing for crappie at Anderson and Uvas c/b really fun on a 3wt.
Good luck,
PK

I will definitely be doing some FFing this year. Heck, I've got 4 flyrods+reels but haven't used any of em for years.

Make sure you do. Just when you think you know everything about fishing you put the flyrod in your hands and another world. Gotta love it all

Z