Not even a newbie yet

Okay...I jumped on a yak with a friend from this site...you know who you are...we doubled out in stillwater cove on the last day for lings and cabs and I landed two keeper lings and a huge red! This took all of about three hours, most of which was spent releasing nice mediuim sized blues and such.  WHAT A BLAST!!  Well, needless to say, I am in the market for my first yak.  I've read many of the posts on this site and have decided to put my golf clubs in the closet long enough to get started in this.

Where do I go?  What do I do?

Rockfish and Lings are closed.  They should reopen late spring, early summer.  Check the DFG website for more info.

Lots of good places to check out kayaks - Kayak Connection in SC, Monterey Bay Kayaks (near the wharf) come to mind.

Glad you enjoyed yourself.  There's alot of good info on this site so read up.
 

For fishing right now fresh water and the bay for sturgeon are about it.

Depending where you are located you could go to Outback Adventures in San Jose to test paddle a Ocean or Hobie Kayak. Head over to Kayak Connection in Santa Cruz or Moss landing for Ocean or Wilderness systems. Head up to Ukiah and meet up with Sean for Cobra and Malibu Kayaks. That should cover most of the major fishing kayaks you could get. Test paddle as many as you can, everyone is a bit different on what they want out of a kayak. Another option is to get a used one. Craigslist is a good source for this. This way you can get out and get fishing while you figure out what you want out of a kayak. If you find a used one you can ask about it here and we will help you decide if it is a good deal or not.

Thanks for the advice guys.  I actually went out Nov 28 just before season ended on lings.  Met Fuzzytom on the way out and he checked in on us later.  Good thing The season just ended or I would have went on an impulse buying spree!!  This gives me a little time to sort through what looks like a thousand or so options.  I'll tell ya though...come June 1st I'll be sporting a new yak w/gps, fish finderand the works! Just gotta take a little time to find the right set-up for me.

I'm 5'7"  175# so I don't need too much,  the used idea sounds good...then I could keep it for friends and my son when I upgrade.

I'm soooo stoked!!  Is it June yet? 

Good luck with your addiction. 

June will be nice.  But July 1, the RCG opener will be even better.............

Welcome to the addiction.

Pat

like I always say.....WELCOME TO THE MADNESS!!! 

June will be nice.  But July 1, the RCG opener will be even better.............

Welcome to the addiction.

Pat

Is July 1 set as the RCG opener for North of Pt. Lopez?  Is South of Pt. Lopez opening May 1, same as 2005?

Welcome!!

Yes, Kevin
The two areas are currently listed the same as last year.

However, DFG has this paragraph at the beginning of each region's dates......
"Note - The Department of Fish and Game is proposing regulation changes that may alter the seasonal structure and depth limits for all federally managed groundfish and associated state managed species."

They've already altered sculpin for SoCal.

Randy and I are hoping for a good weekend in May to do the Big Sur thing........

Pat

Randy and I are hoping for a good weekend in May to do the Big Sur thing........

Pat

thanks Pat.  I'm planning a trip in May, too.

Kevin

I'll say you don't need much room!   I was amazed to see you two guys in that little yak, anything's going to seem roomy and seaworthy compared to that.  But you guys did fine in the fish dept inside the cove compared to my lingless outside cove stuff.
Not even newbie: If you let the kayak dealer know you're serious about buying something, I think they will be pretty flexible letting you try out a few in the same day.  A day with at least light chop can give you some idea how they perform in the wind and waves.  The other thing to think about is whether you'll be wheeling the yak to launch it, or carrying it over rocks.  If you've got a strong back, or help, you can go with a longer heavier one over rocks.  Otherwise you might sacrafice speed and range, go with shorter but get it into rockier launches.  Use a good paddle to do the testing, and check out that little movie somebody posted on this site that shows proper paddling technique - you don't have to go Olympic to make a big difference.   I really like my rudder, I was afraid it might break off loading and unloading or some other way, but it's taken some big hits. But it is an additional expense, and some wouldn't have one even tho they can afford one. I absolutely wouldn't go out further than I could easily swim without both my compass and my cheapo gps, VHF radio,  some small flares, knife, wetsuit  and needless to say, lifejacket ON.   
   Those of you planning trips: I'd like to give Big Sur a try with someone who's been there before.  I've never been out in a yak there, but I've got the camping gear ready to go.  Let me know if any of you would like company.  I don't have one of those pesky job things anymore, so am pretty available.   And if there's a salmon season this year, or ever again, I've been out of Moss a few times alone, but I'd much rather do that  with someone else.

Thanks for the advice guys.  I actually went out Nov 28 just before season ended on lings.  Met Fuzzytom on the way out and he checked in on us later.  Good thing The season just ended or I would have went on an impulse buying spree!!  This gives me a little time to sort through what looks like a thousand or so options.  I'll tell ya though...come June 1st I'll be sporting a new yak w/gps, fish finderand the works! Just gotta take a little time to find the right set-up for me.

I'm 5'7"  175# so I don't need too much,  the used idea sounds good...then I could keep it for friends and my son when I upgrade.

I'm soooo stoked!!  Is it June yet? 

Welcome-   I would recommend just starting with the bare essentials and adding electronics down the road.  Most of my best fishing was before I even got my fishfinder.  You need to get a feel for your kayak before you start drilling holes and mounting things.

You need to get a feel for your kayak before you start drilling holes and mounting things.

Sound advice.