Newbee say hellow to everyone

My name is LifeisGood and I just registered with the Norcalkayakanglers.  I live in Brisbane, CA and I currently have a Carolina 12 sit-in kayak equipped with a Torqeedo Ultralight 403 motor and Kaykaysailor's 1.4m sail. I use this boat for mountain lakes and ocean inlets touring purpose.  However, my goal is to join you guys fishing in the ocean.

My Raptor from Santa Cruz Kayaks is to be ready shortly, I am not sure how long will take me to complete my rigging and other essential equipment for ocean bond.   Once I am ready, I will tag along fishing with the owner of Santa Cruz Kayaks for a while before I start going elsewhere.

Just want to say hi to all of you for now.

Regards

Welcome to the madness my brother!! And yes, life is good!!

I'm stoked to hear that you are getting ready for some yak fishing. We've got several members who already own Raptors, as well as hookups being posted all the time. The best way to get your feet wet is to find someone to partner up with, many of these members are top-notch people

Look forward to meeting ya someday!!

Thanks.  Yes,  looking forward to meeting you guys on the water .   I respect ocean kayak fishmen very much.  I almost won't be able to make it here way back 20  or so years ago from wind surfing back in the early 80's.  Current took me out of the Golden Gate twice, almost died despite I had a 5mm wetsuit plus a drysuit, water temp was at low 50's. Coast Guard never showed up despite SOS signals were picked up by the pass-by large boats and notified Fort Point Coast Guard station ( I don't believe that station still exist - on the South side of the bridge).  Got rescured by small fishing boats returned from Fall-Islands trip, both time.

Welcome aboard LifeisGood.  I got a Raptor too and looking forward to see you OTW 

Welcome to the Madness its a contagious virus..all folks here are very supportive, you are in the right place, I live in SFO so holler if you want some info..hope to see you in the water!! Thanks!!

Thanks for all the warm welcome, appreciated.  I already spent some time going through Norcal and Centralcoast forums as well as various youtube clips.  One thing for sure, this kayak fishing sport should be a group event and all participants are brothers one way or the other.   I now feel a lot better since I want to do this but I DO NOT WANT TO VENTURE OUT BY MYSELF, PERIOD. Besides, all my friends including my family members think I am crazy and feel I am suicidal to get into ocean kayak fishing.

Thanks for all the warm welcome, appreciated.  I already spent some time going through Norcal and Centralcoast forums as well as various youtube clips.  One thing for sure, this kayak fishing sport should be a group event and all participants are brothers one way or the other.   I now feel a lot better since I want to do this but I DO NOT WANT TO VENTURE OUT BY MYSELF, PERIOD. Besides, all my friends including my family members think I am crazy and feel I am suicidal to get into ocean kayak fishing.

welcome.  Like most things, a bit of planning, ample preparation and some luck should keep you safe.  In a world where you can die going to a ball game, this is not that nuts... well a little nuts....   

Hell yes Welcome...And this site becomes an addiction especially the hookups... And there's one just around the bend RBCII next week Oct 1 Your welcome to come up and join in the festivities!!!

Sounds like your a veteran of survival...great story...U made it back alive...did u have a camera on you by chance...we live for the pictures... Sounds like your very lucky to be here...and I'd rather be lucky than good...

Have fun pimping your ride lots of info on "Gearing up"

Hope to cya OTW sometime soon...come out and "Get Some"

Coast Guard never showed up despite SOS signals were picked up by the pass-by large boats and notified Fort Point Coast Guard station

Yep, one needs to keep that in mind.  It seems like too many of us depend on help arriving prompty but the reality is the ocean is just as much of a wilderness as the Yukon, or the mojave desert and unless you get lucky or have friends you are on your own.

Welcome, and thanks for sharing!  See you OTW.

Station Fort Point is now Station Golden Gate on the north side of the Gate

first off WTTM!!! Don't worry about gearing up. I found its a long process were you pic up one thing at a time.  simple is good.

Can't wait to see you OTW.

You'll love this stuff

Okay, please allow me to introduce myself bit more:

Vessel - Raptor equipped with a Torqeedo 403 Ultralight, the battery pack can last 8+hours with low throttle, full throttle 40 minutes, I had my Carolina 12 on a calm lake at 10.5MPH speed with full throttle for the 1st 20% on a fully charged battery ( li-Ion 320WH capacity). I may add a 1.6M sail ( can be folded down - flat down) by Kayaksailor in the front, that's an excellent backup and takes no space.  With that, I should be able to tow a kayak back to land, IMHO.

Attitude - Safety is MUCH more important than fish.

Equipment  - Here are needed recommendations from you guys:
1. I need to purchase 2 VHFs - One for myself and one for my wife (on shore though).  I would like to get one with a build in GPS, VERY reliable with only needed functions. The one for my wife needs no GPS but reliable.
2. Wetsuit - I would like to go out in winter as well especially Big Sur area, it is very calm many days in winter.  Should I get 5mm or 3mm plus a neo head hood as well. I am in the late 50's, good physical condition, no fat.

Schedule - I am very flexable.  At times, I can take off couple of weeks if no job assignments (but my wife perfer me to take day trip since she has to work; weekend, she tags along).  It is a good news for some die-hard fishmen looking for company.

Other goodies can be acquired when time goes by.  Thanks in advance. Regards

Hi LIG and welcome to the madness.

-FF

WTTM!

Yup, everyone is gonna think your crazy going out in the ocean on a plastic bucket until you start bringing home the carnage for the backyard party then it's all good.  Welcome to the madness