Newby needs help !!!!

Looking for a mentor to help me learn the in/out of fishing from a Kayak. I  got the best Father's Day present and have been out about 8 times since then. I was given this great gift from  my family a Hobie mirage.I have been lake fishing a few times but want to learn coast and salt. I am not really sure about the limits of this vessel and do not want to push it with out the knowledge. Any help would be greatly appriciated,Thanks Frank

Where are you located?

Check out a few threads in the gearing up forum for some things you might want to purchase before hitting the ocean.

Frank,

Where do you live and which part of the coast are you considering?  Depending on where you want to go out, there are serveral seasoned veterns here who can help.

Brian

also try scallen or brendan for guided trips. fastest way to to learn.

Welcome Aboard!I'm a 7.5mo. newb myself and have "Hooked"the most/biggest of some species in my fishin career!Started in the Lakes and now to the Bay(1 surf-launch no fishin).Do your home work per;Bills advise and post your findings

Welcome,
A lot of good advice is in the video by Dennis Spike "Kayak Fishing" you can find it at tackle shops, $20. Surfzone is covered well in the video.
www.kayakfishing.com
I suggest you find a salt harbor to launch/land easily while mooching the outlet.
Do that 2 or 3 times before meeting us at the surfzone launch locations.
Craig

HI,

I am new too and interesting in Kayak fishing and already ordered a Prowler 15. Hopefully will go out to the open Ocean to Hunt for big fish like all of you do by the end of this year or early next year. I think I need to train myself first before enter the Ocean. It seems so dangerous.

ty

Welcome!fellow Newb! If you need to build your confidence,start on the lakes like I did,and build your way up.I attempted,sucessfully, my first surf launch at Lind Mar with the crew a couple of weeks ago.Ocean was kinda rough,so headed right back to try my re-entry to the beach .Dont be affraid to join-in on "Hook ups" or ask ??s.I'm not a veteran but.........

I've only been on a few yak fishing adventures still myself. Best thing is to give it a try and see what you like. It is great to be able to get to places that boats don't always go. Definitely try a few things low tech before you geek out on the upgrades. It's easy (and potentially expensive) when you get caught up in the potential yak pimping options. It;s hard to remind yourself that you use to be able to catch fish with just a pole, hook and bait.

Enjoy the adventure.

Cheers

I am not sure if this is stupid or what but my first surf launch was at Linda Mar by myself in search of salmon.  Landed fine too.  After that I havn't gone out much by myself.  Point is get a buddy and you will be alright if you pick the right days to launch the surf.

I am in Pacifica if you ever want to launch there give me a pm.

Jason Selli

:smt006Hello fellow Mirager, "the kayak fishing video" is very helpful. Also my first "out there" trip @ the hmbay tourney I found myself snaged, hit by a weird wave and made the right decision to jump from the kayak, leaving the kayak upright. My point is SAFTY is important. Practice self rescue by turning yourself over in safe water"a swimming pool would be nice" and getting back in. Think about what can go wrong and prepare. I am still tring to find the time to take a guided trip with scallen and suggest this for yourself. It will take years off the learning curve and save you alot of "trail by error" like myself. Not trying to scare you, but there is a learning curve, ex.  A 4# trout that I was going to let go, tailwalked @ the last moment and inbeded a set of treble hooks deep into my hand 3 miles away from my launch spot with no pliers...Don't do this!!! Have fun, See ya out there....DANGLIN

Welcome to the madness! Ty, where are you located?

Alien and All,

Thank you for the input information. I bought the Kay fishing video like all of you suggested. It helps a lot and gave me idea what is the Kayak fishing look like.  I live in Union City right now. Hopefully, After get and outfit fishing Kayak and do some practicing, I will join Venture with all of you soon. Have fun this Weekend!!

Ty

also try scallen or brendan for guided trips. fastest way to to learn.

Agreed...I joined Allen and 4 other guys on KC's fishing clinic last Sunday.  It was eye-opening, for sure.  Easy launch out of the harbor, and Allen gave us lots of tips.  Headed out just past the mile buoy & everyone caught fish.  As a fellow newby & Hobie owner (Outback), it was also my first time on the ocean.  Well worth the time and minimal expense!  The suggestion to learn surf entry/exit techniques is right on as well.  I purchased my yak from KC and in doing so got a free pass to any one of their kayak classes - I'll be doing the surf entry/exit class.  Until then I'm limited to easy access launch sites.

That said, I might go out this coming Sunday, or next week Tuesday (or both!).  Anyone willing to suggest an easy launch spot (or join me?)?

Thanks for all the input and have been doing the local lakes Del Valle today in fact ( one 20" trout and three shaker strippers) I have been doing well in lakes and I am signing up with Brenden for my first ocean attempt. I am located in the Union City area so anyone close by that would like to hook up i'm game. Thanks again newby Frankfishing