Fishing Capitola Kelp Beds on Saturday

New to the boards here!!

I Live in capitola, taking a kayak out to the in-shore kelp beds right there near the pier, few questions as Im used to fishing from my big boat...

Should i fish the outter edge of the kelp, or should i go inside and fish the big open holes in the kelp?

also what should i be using...

ive seen a few guys come out of the kelp holes with some nice fiosh for fish tacos!!

any and all ifo is welcome, THANK YOU

Should i fish the outter edge of the kelp, or should i go inside and fish the big open holes in the kelp?

also what should i be using...

Hi porky and welcome to ncka.

I'd say fish it all...edges/holes. You never know where your going to find the fish till you give it a whirl. If you are going for rock fish I'd try some shrimp flys tipped with squid strips. You could also try irons. If that fails just try frozen anchovies or squid. Live bait is usually the ticket anywhere you go....

HTH

-FF

porky

the best areas are right around the kelp. you can fish all of it. outside the kelp as well as potholing inside. Just kinda depends on your fishing style and how good you are keeping from snagging up the kelp.

I usually grab a piece of kelp and put it under my leg as an anchor to keep the drift down while potholing.

Shrimp flies work as do leadhead with scampi tail, or diamond bars.

also take our a couple rigs for halibut and troll the outside of the kelp towards the cement ship in the flats, might pick up a 'but.

I am thinking of fishing there this weekend.  live in Aptos and don't want another long trip this weekend.

I will pm you to make plans if you want company.

Stoggie

THANKS for the info guys.....

ok, pretty much what i thought, which beds do you guys like to fish, the ones to the right of the pier, or the main beach kelp beds?

Ive kayak'd before, but never fished, ive been eager to try it, looks fun!

I dont have my own yet, im looking to buy if I have fun...

On saturday, im just renting one from the pier, i know its not ideal or set up all nice for fishing, but ill make it work, i live about a 1 minute walk away from the water right there so im thining id like to buy one if i enjoy it, which im sure i will.

What time do you guys usually go out, and i assume you guys are wearing wet suits?

Also, i have a metal bar, but never fished it, how you guys fishing those?

bouncing the pot holes off the bottom, or down then back up?

also when in the potholes, are you dropping your live or dead bait to the bottom, or just midway..

Yeah, last year i saw 2 guys coming in form the main beach kelp beds with a FAT strnger of fish for tacos, nice ones, they were only out an hour or so, but since then ive been interested!

Lemme know if your out or maybe ill see ya out there and get some tips..

OH, what rod you guys using, all i have is my boat rod, tiger stick with a pen reel?

Fish 'em all. I've honestly only fished capitola a couple times. I usually go out early...like as soon as the sun comes up and yes I always wear a wetsuit in the ocean. If you find yourself swimming you'll be glad you have one. I drop bars all the way to the bottom and jig 'em. I pretty much always fish the bottom unless i see fish suspended in my FF. Same with bait. Definitely go out with stoggie if you get a chance. He knows that area pretty well. Your boat rod will work just find. I fish a tiger ugly stick from my yak all the time. You might want to invest in something a bit lighter eventually for rock fish. They are funner on light tackle.

-FF

all right great.... cant wait to get out there and hopefully get a little something for dinner..

id like to get my own kayak too, any suggestions?

should i bring a net or a bag to put fish in? how you guys doing that? this kayak im renting has no well for fish?

If you are hitting capitola reef, go small on your line and tackle if you can.  And when your covering water from one point to the next, drop back a crankbait, spoon, or weighted hoochie.  Although you may get snagged up on salad, its usually worth the trouble, b/c you have every chance of coming across schoolie blues, blacks, etc.

Stay pretty simple your first time out, like 1.5 oz leadhead to a 4-6 inch rootbeer scampi tipped with squid.  Youre bound to have a good time regardless of the catch.  

your supposed to have a net > 18" diameter on you, but enforcement on this point is sporadic, if ever.

As for kayak suggestions...OMG, read some of the zillion prior posts re selection.

good luck and hope you get into 'em.

ok, great, thanks again!

i was looking through those, at the trapon 140?

but i kept reading something about leaks and having to plug them with foam golf balls?

im 6'2" about 220??

Ah, there's nothing like the smell of newby enthusiasm!  Welcome to the Madness Porky!

Before you go crazy asking every question under the sun (I know, I was in your shoes a few years ago) try using the "Search" button on the forum.  The NCKA forum has a BuTtLoaD (ala Adam)  of information available on just about every subject you can imagine.  It's a great way to kill time at work (not that I EVER do that) and you'll learn a lot.

 

I'm pretty sure they do not allow you to fish out of there kayaks since it is messy and smelly, might want to check that out in advance. Mike

Welcome to the madness Porky!!!!

I am 6'5" 210 lbs and I have a Prowler13. Its very stable and quick.

If Kayaking is new to you, especially in the ocean, take a beginning kayak course at Kayak Connection in Santa Cruz.. Your safety is #1..

And if you show up with fishing gear when you go to rent your kayak, they won't rent to you.

Rich

You can store you catch in a wet burlap sack. Splash some water on the bag and the fish will stay moist all day.

And if you show up with fishing gear when you go to rent your kayak, they won't rent to you.

great point.  all the more reason why you should take a class with scallen or others.  instead of reading all dozen or so of our retarded posts, you'll actually get out there with a pro who will put you on some fish on a yak rigged for the purpose. 

Thanks again guys and thanks for the welcome, yeah im pretty stoked to finally get into this, i live right there and have always wanted a kayak..

Ill check out the prowler and a course, should be fun..

Capitola boat and bait will rent to fisherman, but yeah the kayak connection will not....

Cant wait to get out there, gonna get a wet suit tonight...

ill check out the prowler 13 as mentioned, what should i pay for one of these used?

anyone else hitting the kelp this weekend?

and yes on the search, i read alot of good info on here, GREAT info, just wanted to talk to some of you as well, THANKS AGAIN!

Whos got the best yak fishing clas and when and where is there a web site?