Hello from a newbie

Hello everyone,

First of all, I like to thank the host and admin for a great forum.  You people seem to be a fun, helpful, easy going group.  I reckon if one has been with the ocean for awhile, one develops respect and appreciation for nature, and other fellow fisher-people.  

I am new to kayak fishing, though not new to either sport.  I just bought my first kayak, a Necky dolphin, and I will be picking it up next week, very excited. So I am wondering if anyone here also owns a dolphin and how s/he rigs it for fishing.  I would like to use my kayak for ab diving and scuba as well, but mainly just paddling and fishing.  I have absolutely no accessories at all, except for paddles and vest, so I'll be interested if anyone is selling or giving away used equipment.

BTW, anyone going ab diving next Sat 9/24 (free fishing day)?  I hope to have at least a couple paddling days getting used to my yak, but I may not be ready to take it out to the open ocean yet.  However, I would still like to go out on my float tube at least, so if anyone is interested, please post a reply.

If anyone doesn't mind a newbie as a buddy, I am available just about any day of the week, since I'm in between jobs at the moment.  I'll also be checking the Hookup posts periodically.

Happy fishing,
Henry

Hey Henry a lot of us are going to be in Ukiah at Lake Mendocino next weekend. If you can make it, it would be a great place to met your fellow anglers.

Most of us where newbies not that long ago and we certainly don't mind helping anyone out. Just watch for post in the hookups section and try to meet up with some people.

Welcome aboard!

WHATUP!

Practice on that Necky a LOT. It is a very fast kayak and although stable, not quite as stable as a lot of the SOT's out there. Once you get comfortable with it, you will have no probs.
Go to a lake and practice everything bad that can happen. Fall out, get back in. Tip it upside down, and roll it right side up. See if you can stand up on it. Get as comfortable with it as you can. See how far you can lean side to side. Straddle it and go to the front, then the back, kneel on it. Do everything you can think of and plan to get plenty wet. Have fun.  If there is wind, make sure it is blowing on shore if it is a good stiff breeze. A kayak can really take off on you when you fall out and the wind is blowing hard.
Practice all of this and when you are fishing, everything will be automatic, and chances will be MUCH less likely you will have to do anything but catch fish.
I did this with my son when he was 11. He will be 14 in a week and one of the most proficient ocean kayak anglers I know. I do not worry about him on the water at all.

Thanks for the welcome and the tips guys.  I don't know if I'll be going to Lake Mendo until Friday.  If I do, I'll see you guys up there.

Tote's advice is excellent...welcome!

Hey there Newbie! Im on vacation after next week Wednesday so its highly likely I'll be wanting to sneak in some fishing days during the week.
We could go out of Stillwater Cove in Carmel, its pretty protected. The swell will hopefully be calming down soon too. Keep checking and posting!
Welcome aboard!