Newbie - Sacramento Area

Recently bought a Tarpon 140.  Like to get out and just paddle and also fish.  Still looking to land my first fish from the kayak!

Looking for someing in Sac to show me some of the ropes of kayaking and fishing.

Hey there  I am in the Sac area and I am new to kayak fishing too.  I usually post in the hookups section when I head out.

Thanks.  I'm new to the board and I didn't realize there was a Hookup section.

You should check out the tournament in Elk, it's going awesome.

I've only had the Kayak (tarpon 140) for about 6 months and I've only been on lakes so far.

I want to venture out into the American River (Hazel to Discovery Park) and then eventually into the ocean.  

I have two questions I hope someone can help me with:

1) anyone familiar with this stretch of the American River who can tell me if it's O.K. for a beginner?

2) do I need to take a class or will I learn what I need to know on my own?  any recommendations on classes?

Thanks -  Appreciate the help

I know this reply is pretty late, but hopefully you are still out there.

In response to your question about the Hazel to Discovery Park section of the American, I'd say yes, it is completely suitable for a rank beginner, if that person was traveling with someone that had been down the river before. There is one Class II rapid that I'm aware of - The San Juan Rapids. And these can be avoided. The rest is either frog water, or Class I.

I used to paddle from Howe up to Gristmill in my sit inside boats. Ditto for Howe down to Paradise and back up.  The section of water right below Watt was a real workout though, but could be avoided with a portage. However, paddling upstream makes for a great way of learning the river, while allowing you to bail out and turn around at any time. And you get to coast on back to the vehicle:

I'd still recommend getting some instruction though. See if California Canoe and Kayak in Rancho Cordova offers something on the lower American, and not just on Lake Natomas or the South Fork.

Regards,
Scott

I live in Sacto and fish the local lakes. If you would like a good paddle, go to Negro Bar on Natomas. From the boat ramp, head up river past the bridges towards the prison. Stay to the left in the fast water. You will have to stop at the warning sign that hangs across the river. then have a nice drift down the canyon and back to the lake. I like to fish during the drift, throw some spinner baits.

I would like to try salmon fishing from my kayak, but would like to go with another kayaker. Maybe somewhere between Howe and Discovery park. Away from the crazy boats that block the mouth of the river.

Check the forums at fishsniffer.com. It is a very active forum with the locals.

I'm in sacto too.  when the salmon come up river let's all hook up and give it a go.

Yea guys I am thinking about trying the rivers for salmon this year we should  hook up.  I live close to the feather river and I am thinkin about trying the feather too.  I am just afraid that my yak will be hard to paddle upstream.

Looks like we got ourselves a little Sacramento crew!  Let's hit it.

I went out yesterday evening in an effort to trouble shoot my fishfinder ... fixed.  I just had it on some stupid setting ... newbie I am.

Anyway, did a little jigging at the mouth of the American ... very slow.  Launched at Broderick in West Sac and paddled upstream to the mouth.  Very easy water and paddle.  This time of year the water is pretty slow moving and generally safe.

Later, Sean

Dude that is awesome!  Sounds like it was a fairly easy paddle upstream.  Glad to hear your fishfinder works good now.  Whats the besy way to catch the salmon from a yak in the river you guys think?

I didn't know we had this many kayak fishing people in the Sacto area.
It would be fun to get a group together.

A couple days ago, I posted a request on fishsniffer for info on kayak Salmon fishing the lower A.R. I got a few good replies from the locals.

One mentioned launching at Watt and going up river from there. He also suggested a 6 lb anchor for the river. I have a 1.5 lb, so I guess I'll check wall mart or west marine.

Here is the link if you are interested:

Lower American in a kayak

Al

I thought I read somewhere it was dangerous to anchor a kayak in a river.

I thought I read somewhere it was dangerous to anchor a kayak in a river.

That might be true. I'd like to know before I try.
I don't want to be a statistic.

Any advise on how to stay in one place on the river?

Now you got me worried...so I did a search and found a few anchor rigs.

This one looks interesting, but I have visions of watersking backwards.

rear anchor rigging