Help! Interested in buying my first kayak

Hey guys, I'm new to this forum and is interested in getting my first kayak. I'm looking for something I can take not the bay and do some ling cod/halibut fishing.  However, I am on a budget so I'm trying to get a good deal on gear. Also I'm a fat guy . I'm 5'9 290#. Any ideas on what a good setup should be for me? 

Thanks in advance!

Welcome aboard.

Look here for now.
http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=45910.0

Welcome aboard and good lucks on the kayak search DaRocStar.

Thanks guys!  I found a Malibu X-13 that I'm thinking of buying. Any thoughts?  I'd like to take it out to the bay.

WTTM RocStar,

Hope to see you OTW

Thanks guys!  I found a Malibu X-13 that I'm thinking of buying. Any thoughts?  I'd like to take it out to the bay.

It's stable and will handle your weight.

Lol just a little nervous but I pulled the trigger!  Woot woot!  It's a dark green x13, came with ff, paddle, seat, net, gaff,anchor and a xwing mount. Doubt I'm going to use the xwing tho...

Just need a PFD, compass and radio now and I'll be ready. Any good PFD brands? Anything I should stay away from?

Thanks for the support guys!!!

Congrats bro. Lets go slay some fish

The standard horizon 851 is vhf and has GPS on it as well. welcome aboard
 C K

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

congrats!!  and WTTMadness!! if you plan to upgrade the seat to a high back(mo-money) anytime soon, get a PFD that is built for it. Usually has a mesh fabric back and the floatation pad(on the back section) is higher than the regular ones. Sitting in your kayak for more than 4 hrs......you'll be wanting the support of the high-back seat.
See you out on the water soon!

Welcome
You mentioned ocean fishing. MUST have either a wetsuit or drysuit
http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product.asp?pfid=2219+G&pdeptid=1162

Given your size a dry suit might be better but you have to be willing to shell out $500

For PFDs I stick with 2 brands: Extrasport and Kokatat. For VHFs I like Standard Horizon better than Uniden, and Cobra sucks.

The kayak actually came with a high back seat already.  I ended up getting a Kokatat Bohia from Sunrise in Livermore today.  Fits good but it sure does seem bulky.  Do I really need a fishing PFD or does something thinner work for the kayak fisherman?

Still looking into VHF radios... I saw the Cobra HH350 at Bass Pro today... is that radio any good?  This WTTM philosophy is taking draining my bank account lol.... 

Thanks Guys...

Also I plan on practicing in the lakes like Shadow Cliff, Del Valle, and probably the delta before any SF bay fishing... 

Ended up trading in the x13 for a ride 135. Hopefully it is more stable than the x13 for a newbie!