Anyone mind if a newbie tags along for the rockfish opener? (May 1st, San Mateo)

Recently I've reacquired my need to be out on the water. Naturally I went out and spent a bunch of money (well, for me a lot of money at least.) Got a used Trident 15, among other goodies. Now it's time to get my arse on the water.

I've done some kayaking and fishing in my time, but not too much of the two together, and never out in the ocean. Yes, I have fished for rockfish before, on the Queen of Hearts a couple years back. I've done a bit of fly-fishing, mostly for salmon and trout in my home state of Washington.

Anyway, I'm looking to go out May 1st, just about anywhere on the San Mateo Coast. If you don't mind a little of coaching and the time and place works for you, please reply. I'm jonesin' to get out on the water.

-Darren

Darren, SMC should not be your first surf launch/landing.  Start out with a softball out of Monterey MBK, Cowells in Santa Cruz, or New Brighton in Capitola.

Pigeon Pt. should be doable for a newbie.  Keep an eye out for hookups.

I second MBK. Gentle, fishing is good, and there are plenty of people around if you get into to trouble including MBK. I still like it and I'll never forget the nice Hali Mooch nailed on a purple jig first time I went there.

I second MBK. Gentle, fishing is good, and there are plenty of people around if you get into to trouble including MBK. I still like it and I'll never forget the nice Hali Mooch nailed on a purple jig first time I went there.

Plus, I don't think the RCG complex season begins north of PP until June 13th...check the regs. May 1st is the opener south of Pigeon, but North of the lighthouse usually stays closed for a while longer. & don't forget that although some new size and bag limits were touted, the DFG is still adhering to the 2010 regs until they meet with the Feds and work the new regs out.

I agree that the SM coast is not a first time area to paddle. MBK or Santa Cruz are much easier launches that will allow you to get used to doing everything without having to deal with too much in the way of wind or swell.

If you ever make it down to Monterey look me up I will show you around, but not on the opener. ....Welcome to the board.

How about Stillwater? I'm sure there will be a bunch of yaks there and you can stay inside the cove or venture outside.

Half Moon Bay harbor is a good place close to you. You can try for Halibut or Stripers outside the harbor or get used to handling all your gear or working a sabiki for bait fish inside the harbor. If it's rockfish you have to have  Capitola or Santa Cruz closest and the easiest launches nearest to Daly City

All good suggestions.

Also, browse the links relative to safety and safety gear.

At minimum, make sure you have a VHF radio and that you are dressed for immersion (PFD and wetsuit or drysuit). And you're on the right track in terms of wanting to hook up with someone.

Ben

Thank you for the advice! From what it sounds like, MBK is the place for me. I'm a little foggy about the details. Do most people launch from Monterey Bay Kayak, or from San Carlos Beach? Also, according to some previous threads, parking and launching is available at MBK for $8. Is this still the case?

How much does tide need to be considered? It looks like high tide's around 11 am. How much is the fishing affected? How about the paddling? At this point I'd have to say my plan is to be on the water around 9 am and then fish for a few couple/few hours or more, depending on the circumstances.

FYI - I dug up the DFG closure maps (Lover's Point, etc), so I'm clued in to these rules. FWIW, I've got a wetsuit, PFD, pump, paddle leash, anchor, among other stuff. No radio yet, but that should be taken care of soon. Also, I took the Beginning Sea Kayak class at Cal Kayak last summer.

Sorry for all the questions, but I'd really like to have a pretty solid base of information to work with. Thanks again to all who have replied, and to anyone who takes the time to help this noob.

don't be sorry for the questions, that's what a forum is for - and to hook up for fishing.  I'd seriously consider Fishmaster's offer- he knows how to throw a hookup.  But most of his advice is probably on the beach- I haven't seen him IN the water lately.   

Look for hookups, reply and just go.  If we wanted to fish alone, we wouldn't post a hookup.  And most of us like to talk yakfishing.

I don't look for tides so much- more for wind and swells.  If you do a search on the forum, lot's of websites to check for wx conditions. NOAA, swellfinfo.com and much more.  You'll need a radio for safety, and to communicate with fellow yakers OTW.

Post a hookup and I'm sure people will respond.  I'm looking forward to do some halibut fishing down there until RF season opens up.

I still remember the day Sincoast took me for my first ocean yakfishing out at Stillwater (SWS) and caught my first RF.  WTTM welcome to the madness and see you OTW.

Plus, I don't think the RCG complex season begins north of PP until June 13th...check the regs. May 1st is the opener south of Pigeon, but North of the lighthouse usually stays closed for a while longer.

And I thought I was gonna have to be Captain Buzzkill on this one lol! Thanks Sean, or should I say Debbie Downer hahaha!
For rockfish, you should launch from San carlos beach instead of MBK because it's closer to kelpbeds & rocky structure off Cannery Row. Parking is like $10/day and you unload close to the beach (then a short portage down a couple stairs, like 20ft). Plus, if it's windy you can fish near the jetty. Or if the waves are rough, you can launch from inside from the harbor ramp at the base of the jetty.

I like the coast guard launch myself, but they're all pretty good.

How much does tide need to be considered?

It's not a deal killer, but you should be aware of the tide as well as the expected swell and wind. For example, if it's outgoing in the early afternoon, that's also when the wind is likely to come up. So you might plan to move closer in as the PM arrives so you don't have to fight both the tide *and* wind for a long distance.

Welcome to the madness brother! I will echo what has been said already. Do MBK for your first few outings until you get a good feel for big blue and the changes that come through the day. Still water would be a safe bet too. My wife and I have been doing Still water for the season opener for a few years now. It's her birthday and makes for a fun day together
I would have no problem with having you tag along with us if we go out this year. I don't think we will make the opener as I am still without a truck after a lady driving on a suspended license totaled mine. My body is still sore but willing to go but until I get a settlement and replace my truck the yaks are grounded I'm afraid
Let me know when you plan to be in the monterey area and I'll try to get out and show you a few good spots to fish on this end of the bay. There are many people on here who have much more knowledge and experience OTW than I. Keep asking questions. There are a few locals on here that are always willing to help you as well as others who know this area real well. I am of the mind I will never know it all and always find I learn a little more every time I go out or even talk with the members here. Make it a point to hook up with fishmaster1 who is a local and a real good guy. He will tell you everything he knows about fishing monterey bay area in about 10 minutes or so  Make sure you get a radio before you go out. If you stay safe you will have fun.


Ebyekewabjeget

To bring this post to a close, I'm bummed to say that after all that I was unable to go. My wife got sick last night, severely limiting my WAF. It's not cool to leave a sick wifey behind with a rambunctious two-year old. Oh well, there will be other days.

In happier news, last week when I went to West Marine to purchase a VHF radio, I got into a conversation with a guy who was wondering about the Seattle Sports "wheelies" box I was price-checking. He said he had something just like it on his boat and never knew what the heck it was. He offered it, I went to West Point Marina to pick it up, and then I did some hopefully-successful PVC modifications to use it with my OK 15. Total cost: $5 for a new can of PVC cement. I'm a bit dubious based on the experience of others in regards to scupper-hole wheelies, but it's worth a $5 risk!

Thanks again for all the advice! Even though it wasn't used yet, it will be shortly!