Newbie Hoagie

Well I'm a rookie for sure at Kayaks, but not to fishing. Spent a lot of time reading archives trying to figure out how to ask some really dumb questions. I've figured out that I went about this bass-ackwards. I bought a couple of Kayaks at a closeout sale Tarpon 120 & 140. I've got them now so it is what it is. I've used them up at Tahoe and at Pinecrest over the past 2 years but never in the Salt. To make a long story short, I just built a home in Monterey and have been watching you guys having fun out there in the bay and I'm jealous. I've figured out that before I go out in the bay I need to get some training and outfit my 140 for hazardous conditions. Thanks for the Great site!!!  I've learned a lot reading old posts the past few days, my wife has been wondering what I find so interesting and why I'm ignoring her. Is there a Kayak shop in the Monterey/Santa Cruz area that will rig a Yak that they didn't sell? Or do I just need to buck up and do it my self. Need Rudder, FF, good seat, etc. Any advice would be appreciated.

Hoagie,

First off welcome. There are plenty of ppl that can help you get your 140 set up. The stuff you need done is pretty straight fwd. Hell, I volunteer fishmaster. He's in Salinas and if you offer him up some manteca, beer, and something for his fryer he'll do just about anything.

Seriously, this is a great bunch of guys (and gals) and they will help you get ready for the deep blue.

ewb your just about right! I love to help newbies out... ..Hoaige,welcome to the best site for finding the best of freinds and the greatest information you willl ever find!!!..I will be more than glad to help you out. All you have to do is ask!!! There are A plentyful of some of the greatest kayakfisherman and woman here. WELCOME!.. OK what are your questions?... And I love Heineken!

you can't separate a salinas boy from his manteca and menudo!

Welcome Hoagie.
....and the Monterey bay contingent grows....

Welcome aboard.  I'm a lazy ass when it comes to outfitting my stuff.  If I were in your shoes I'd probably bribe Sin, FM1, EWB and the rest with beer and food, but you could also probably hire one of the local shops by the hour...  My advice:  start simple with the basic gear for mobility, comfort and safety, then branch out into FF's and other specialty stuff. 

Have fun, and don't be shy about inviting the crew to your new house on the Bay for a shindig and private access.   

Yea, brand new brother caught the kayak bug. Seriously, this is just the
beginning. It will become very addicting once your kayak is setup for fishing.
One taste of any hookup here, you are hooked for good. Welcome aboard
hoagie. See you on the water soon.

Jedmo

Way cool

I love to see the newby posts they are almost exactly like mine from a year ago!
Everyone here is very helpful and you won't find better friends.

Glad to see someone else with a tarpon, you should love the 140 on the water.
It is an awesome craft

Feel free to ask anything we will all assist and get you out there with us in no time.
I rigged my tarpon myself in the last year or so and would be glad to answer as tarpon specific questions about equipment.
Even pics you fin here help a bunch.

Safety equipment first then fishing gear after a couple paddles on the big blue.

Rockfish opens the first of may so get shakin'

Welcome we are all glad to see newby's.
First get hold ofscallen here inthe board and book a trip with him.
He will aquaint you with equip, safety and fishing rigs and technique and you won't find a better guy to spend the day with. As he has said about others here "he is a boon companion"

Stoggie

hey thanks Stoggie!  You're a boon companion too!!

How did you and Al do today?  I found a few bolina rockfish out by the Mile Buoy, but no flattie love.  the water temp ropped 4 degrees to 48 after all that wind, probably why.

Nice talking to you guys this am.

Hoagie, give me a call or PM booking a trip would be cool, but I love to share with the NCKA'rs whenever.

Allen

831-251-9732

Thanks for the warm welcome. I'll be safe #1. Been chasin salmon and tuna for a long time. I'll get with Allen for a private lesson soon. Rockfishing is close.

welcome to the Monterrey area madness. You will find a good bunch of people here. I am still fairly new to this myself.I'm still working on my yak too. There is always something more to do on them. Don't let that stop you from just going out and enjoy the water. Once you have your basic safety gear, you are ready to make a date and enjoy
Let me warn you about most of this local crew.....they will banter and trash talk like a pack of spoiled 4th graders! that is until you need help with something and will do what it takes to help you. Then they go back to talking trash again  I was a really nice guy until I started hanging around them........now I'm talking trash all the time. 
I'm looking forward to having you join us for lots of fun and maybe even catch a fish or two.

Ebyekewabjeget

Thanks Guys.  I can hold my own with the trash talk. My feathers on the back side are thick and the $heet rolls off.  The wind was up big time for sure today but I'm looking forward to getting to know all these younguns that will beat my ass on the water, I just will try to out fish them LOL I think it's the old bull young bull thing. I've got a date set for a initiation with Allen and after that I'll get serious. Rock's on 5/1

Hoagie - We all failed to mention that in order to be initiated into the club, you have to arrange an epic BBQ and beer fest weekend at your place. Please let us know what they date is and we will bring the club stickers for the initiation. 

Hoagie - We all failed to mention that in order to be initiated into the club, you have to arrange an epic BBQ and beer fest weekend at your place. Please let us know what they date is and we will bring the club stickers for the initiation. 

Damn, we gotta get you out there Hagie...this is getting brutal.

Allen

I hope it isn't worse than the Clampers initiation. I barely made it through that one. Yea I'm game for a BBQ/Fish Fry. Need to get this Rock season open and the Butts biting and the wives to clean them up and cook them for us while we drink beer and BS.  Right????  Wives???