New Guy Intro - San Mateo, CA

Greetings,

I'm Mike the Goutless(now) Angler.  When I am not away on assignment, San Mateo, CA is my home.  Fishing has long been my favorite past time.  I need to thank my father for that. 

A fellow angler directed me to this forum awhile back, but I was still a bit apprehensive about fishing off such a small watercraft.  The pictures and Youtube videos are the reason I decided to take the plunge.  God bless the Internet.

As of March 8, 2008, I am the proud owner of a Necky Spike.  It received some fairly decent reviews online, so I said "What the heck, let's do this!"  Drove up to Sacramento and purchased the kayak from a very nice gentleman that participates in adventure racing. 

The purchase included the following:  Necky Spike, Surf to Summit Seat, Sea Passage Paddle, Thigh Straps, Eversport PFD, and a buy back offer(If I didn't like it, he would take it back). 

On March 9, 2008, I took the Spike on it's maiden voyage in the  treacherous area of the Parkside Aquatic Park.  Thank you Aquan(Andy & Joel) for recommending it. I spent over an hour paddling around to better acquaint myself with the kayak.  Online reviews stated that the Spike could be perceived as being "tippy" for beginners.  I do some cycling so getting past the balancing act was fairly easy.   The kayak does lean quite a bit, however it hardens up well.

So if you see me "practicing" self-rescue or paddling incorrectly, feel free to shout and correct me.

See you on the water,
Mike

Hi Mike and welcome!

I saw my first Necky just this week.  Beautiful kayaks.   Congrats on your purchase.  Good deal!  -Matt 

Welcome, Mike, from a fellow gout sufferer (I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy). I'm new here as well, but once you and I get established maybe we can lobby for a Gout Inflicted Kayak Angler forum on the site. 

Gerry

Welcome GA. Like they say when you have your first kid....Life will never be the same, but in a good way. 

Welcome to the madness Mike!!!

Joel from Aquan

Hello everyone,

Thanks for the warm welcome.  There's a good possibility that I'll be in HMB tomorrow morning.  If you see a yellow Necky Spike near a Blue/Pink Scupper Pro that's me.

Mike

welcome to the madness!!!!!!!

Sherm

Bodega Gang

Pictures?

Welcome to the organization of fishing nuts called NCKA and all the Madness that comes in the package!
from reading your post...you'll fit right in! 
See you out there!..somewhere!..someday!

Greetings,

Update on my yakfishing progress.  I've finally moved out of the Parkside Aquatic Park.  I spent a couple hours kayaking at the Pillar Point Harbor.  Spoke to the guys at Half Moon Bay Kayak Co., cool cats.  It is a great place to paddle for beginners.

After my HMB excursion, I migrated to Oyster Point to try some kayakfishing.  To date, I have only hooked up 4 times, but landed 0.  Snagged 1 time.  I may have to go buy some halibut at the store to keep my wife from thinking I am crazy. 
 
Fish off,
Mike

Here's the picture of my maiden voyage in the treacherous Parkside Aquatic Park.

Welcome Mike!!

In looking at the swell behind you, you must have been terrified!!:^))

I'm glad you are goutless, hopefully you didn't have to give up the baby back ribs, I just love those little suckers!!!

Rich

Welcome Mike! It's a great group of mixed nuts.

Glad to be on board!  Three us will be heading to Berkeley to get in on the action tomorrow morning.  Should be a great to see some fellow NCKAers.

As for the gout.  My last attack happened on Feb 29 of this year.  It forced me to cancel my ride in the Los Angeles Acura Bike Tour.  Give up ribs?  Never, just have to eat in moderation(still trying to get a grasp of this definition.)


Mike

Mike,

I'll help you with the definition... If you're eating a full rack, leave two ribs untouched.

Half a rack, hell thats already too much moderation..

Rich

Mike - thought I'd show you this pic of a Necky Spike in action at Bean Hollow. (The paddler/fisherman's name is Henry)

By the way, I was also a gout victim  Never wanna go through that again