Rockfish open @ stillcove -first ocean kayak fishing experience

Finally, I have persuaded my wife to let me try out ocean kayak fishing under one condition that I must get a licensed guide so I can learn the basic safety stuff from the pro.  I called up Blake from Monterey bay kayak fishing co. to take me out for rockfish open!

First of all, I would prefer to write this report in the member only section, but my number of posts is shy from 10 or more. Anyway, the weather condition was almost perfect given the water temperature was still a bit cold. Blake and I started out fishing a bit beyond the rock about 10 mins of paddling (newbie speed).  Caught one small gopher in the first 40 mins, but nothing after that.  We then paddled to the north side in a shallower spot and slower work our way back towards the shore (caught 1 kelp bass, 1 blue, 2gopher all together over there).

Around 10 am, we paddled close to those 2 islands as we like to get back to the shore by 10:30.  Blake stroked 2 nice sized rockfish while I hooked on a 24 inch lingcod (my first legal ling!).  As we landed on the beach, there was one of our NCKA member took a picture for us after 5 mins of pleasant chat.

Today was fun and I went to demo some potential-future kayak @Monterey bay kayak store.  I'd like to thank Blake's guidance and tips in ocean kayak fishing.  I would recommend those who has never done it and like to give it a try to talk to him for advices or/and a trip.

+1 congrats... I am like you a newbie, and I am also waiting to go out on the water to catch fish.  Your in san jose, let me know if you want to hookup.  I am in santa clara and I am learning the ropes myself.

Definetly a great (safe) way to start out if you're inexperienced,

Congrats on the successful trip and thanks for the report

I wish that were me! I too was supposed to make it out today, but the gods of illness blocked my way. Well, not me, but my wife.

Anyway, glad to hear of your trip, and the detailed report. Stillwater seems like a place a newbie like myself needs to be.

Thanks for the report.  Can't wait for the pics to be posted.  I spent the morning at Carmel beach and think It was you I must have seen fishing near the islands at Stillwater.  It was a beautiful day out there today and must have been a blast for you to be OTW.  Congrats on your lingcod!  I also saw a couple guys working the kelp beds right off Carmel Beach and later in the morning saw a couple party boats set up shop in the same area..
Thanks for informing us that you can hire a guide from MBK.  Im a newbie like yourself and am planning on taking the MBK fishing safety workshop soon...

thanks for the report.  glad you had a good experience on your first trip and congrats on your first ling as well.  hopefully there will be many more of those for you.
-hotplate-

@ Float: haha, yea it might be us with fed and fading yellow yak.  To clarify, the guide service was from http://www.mbkayakfishing.com/ while the demo was http://www.montereybaykayaks.com/   I apologize for not using the correct acronym

@ Idaho: Yea, Stillwater Cove is a good start.  One thing i would have done different is to take a motion sickness pill   I got a bit uncomfortable at the beginning.

@ chaeki: sure thing.  I am currently searching/hunting for the right used OK 13, gear, and accessories.  Feel free to PM me next time when you got the itch, and I'll do the same.

Hermes 

Congrats on your first leagal ling and a great day at SWC. Yeah, if you're like me
and not take any motion sickness pill before heading out, not a great feeling getting sick out there. BTW, welcome aboard.

Jedmo

Way to play it safe.  Many of us just got a kayak and paddled out to sea.  I'm actually surprised nobody has died yet, I've had a couple times where I though my fishing partner was dead/about to die, and a couple times I wasn't sure I'd survive the landing (bean hollow on a 16' day and a sleeper wave in big sur).  Dress for immersion and fish in a group and 99% of the dangers are mitigated. 

Thanks for the great report, Hermes! Sounds like you did it the right way. Thanks for that. And congrats on a good day of fishing too!

group outing with experienced yakkers is always the best way to go.  Glad you had a good time out in the blue

Good deal, sounds like you did your homework, played the safe route, got some great info and kept the wife happy! 

Sounds like a great first trip out there 

kept the wife happy! 

Yeah, seriously! Besides the money and time, she is the only other non-nature related constraint preventing me from fishing in white water.

Congrats on your first ocean trip. I am curious about the name dropnlax. Constipated or Los Angeles baggage handler???????