Newby needs help !!!!

Here are some things that confused me as a "total newbie" and now I have some insight into them as a "pretty much newbie"

1.  Rigging.  Initally I was so confused about all the rod holders, milk crates, ff etc that I was almost unable to go fishing because I was overly concerned about how to properly rig my yak.  The best advice was to go out 'stock' a few times . .no rodholders, no accessories of any kind . . and see what you really need.  6 months and about 1 zillion fish later I have yet to install that rod holder or fish finder.  Yep - I fish off a totally stock prowler 13 and it works just fine.  I added a milk crate with some rod holders later just for storage while paddling.  This only applies for fishing accessories.  Thou Shalt Not Skimp on safety gear.  Get a good wetsuit, pfd and paddle leash.  Do not forget paddle leash!  Get a radio or don't go out past where you can swim back from.  I personally find lots of great fishing within a reasonable (if utterly lame) swim from shore.

2.   Launching.  Before I actually launched I was all concerned about how to launch through surf.  Then I realized that 99% of the launches everybody uses have no surf. 

3.  Fishing gear.  Should I get a long rod that can reach over the end of the boat?  Or a short, more traditional boat rod?  Well . .any rod you have is better than no rod and will likely work just fine.  15 foot surf rod and ultra-light gear might be the exception but almost anything works to get you started.

4.  Paddling skills.  I didn't realize that most of us are 95% fisherperson and 5% kayaker.   Therefore I was afraid to go out with a group from this board for fear I would be holding them back.  With some notable exceptions . . miles of paddling is not on the agenda for a saturday of rockfishing!  Even if you have never paddled before you can likely keep up and you will get better quickly as you do it more.

I ended up taking a guided trip with Alan Bushnell which is highly recommended and a great experience.  You don't need to do that, though, if you don't want.  Just find some kelp, put your yak in the water and fish!  I know that sounds simple . . but for me it was like the seeing the forest for the trees . . . all I needed to do was put the yak in the water and fish!

Hope that helps.  Feel free to PM me or check the hookups if/when you want to fish in Monterey.  Welcome to kayak fishing.  Nothing will ever be the same again.  Ha ha ha.

Thanks for that MBYakker....As a newb these are also some of my concerns and now you've helped to make it all a bit easier.  Looking forward to getting in the water soon.

Angel

I also haven't done anything to my kayak.  For a rod holder my ghettobar is hard to beat:

Just build one of those, maybe add a pair of deck loops for it, and you're good to go without hurting your kayak's integrity (safety) or value. 

Since we never troll with more than 1 rod, we really only need 1 high performance rod-holder.  Vertical PVC tubes behind you in a milk crate are sufficient to hold net, gaff, spare rod.  I use zip ties or 50lb fishing line to attach them, and the PVC pipe will break off the crate before my gear breaks if I roll in the surf.  Built in holders mean either your kayak or your rod is going to break in a bad surf incident.

I regularly take newbies straight to the ocean and they do fine. I wouldn't send them alone, but as long as you're with someone who knows what they're doing it's quite safe.  The biggest newbie mistakes generally revolve around not being able to recognize when conditions are dangerous until they're in trouble, and going out  alone.

I also live in union city near the quarry lakes.

promethean_spark

So that's the ghetto setup I've been reading about. Being a Newby I kind of get lost on allot of the lingo... besides I am from the Dick and Jane generation gotta have the pictures so thanks for the pictures .
Since your from the Union City area and I'm noticing that their are quit a few of us in the tri city area, maybe a local get tog eather may help to break the ice with fellow yakers from this area. Say the Quarry I am always looking for hookups and suggestions.
I've read and agree with the fact that most of us are fisherman first with Kayaking a tool for that goal in mind. This is differently the case with me but I have really fallen for this sport every time I go out I enjoy it more...more....more....
I live in the Old Alvarado area on Watkins Street where they have the weekly veg. market. Just look for the house with the American Flag flying at the corner of Watkins and Tay. Sincerely Frankfishing

MBYaker,

MBYaker,
Thanks for the input these are very good points which I have tossed around in the echoie place between my two ears.... I am ghlad you put these out there. Frankfishing

MBYaker, the post with just your handle is a shining example of the echoie place mentioned in my previous post. Typed out your handle thinking of my responce then walla, sent it without typing just echoing....hate when that happens. Good reason for me to carry proper I.D's Frank

Some of the experts will get you all loaded up like you're on some kind of mr gadget mission when all you really want to be doing out there is fishing

gadgets like Fish Finders will help you find reefs and baitballs and skip the "guessing work" and maximize your fishing time.
gadgets like GPS will help you find you way back when the fog decides to roll in on you.
gadgets like VHF radios will help you in case of a "mayday" event.
 
If you want to keep fishing safely from your kayak, by all means, go on a gadget mission. Unless you're a super hero.

Fishing at sea seems more challenge. I think we have to work together as team and may need a leader who has more experience and the gadget to guide us. We all go to work together, moving together, and helping each other. I think safety is more important than any thing else.

By the way, I am a newbie, live in Union City, just got a prowler 15 and has been practice on the Quarry Lake for a few times. Hopefully, will have a chance to go out to ocean fishing soon.

Is there any body willing to help Newbie like me out to Ocean for fishing? I have all the fishing gears except the Gadget.

Running out of money already!!

thanks
ty

Ty - just hop on to the hook-up section and you'll have good company at almost any given weekend  - I would say that a majority of the active members of this site are always into "Team fishing" 

See you out there 

Ty, I am also located in Union City and would love to hook up at Quarry. I haven't hookup for ocean yet but have had the pleasure of the membership extending their hands and fished with them. Do not hes titate to reach out I am never disappointed by these members.
I am trying to hook up with one of the guides, Allen Bushnell was scheduled for this Thursday but life showed up again and I had to cancell.
If you get a chance I am Jonesing so off I go to Quarry tomorrow to get my tug fix. Give me a call 468-1036 for a hook up or just to get to know eachother. Frankfishing

Thank you Mooch.

Frank,

I can not go fishing on weekday. Are you at Quarry Lake on this weekend? May be I am out at Quarry for more practice.

Ty

Ty, Sounds great and I am sure that can be arranged.
This weekend however is full. Give me a call and let me know what your pref. for the weekend. Frankfishing

Ch 69 on my vhf picks up the locaql sherriff's dispatcher.

It's like listening to COPS while I'm fishing. Kinda fun.

Allen

gadgets like Fish Finders will help you find reefs and baitballs and skip the "guessing work" and maximize your fishing time.
gadgets like GPS will help you find you way back when the fog decides to roll in on you.
gadgets like VHF radios will help you in case of a "mayday" event.
 
If you want to keep fishing safely from your kayak, by all means, go on a gadget mission. Unless you're a super hero.

Yakster I went 30 something years without a single gadget mostly probably because they didn't have most of this stuff  In fact I didn't start carrying a second rod until just a few years ago

With nothing but a compass you can get yourself from where ever the fog catches you to your launch spot    I've done it more than once from 4-5 miles out in fog as thick as it gets

A couple of years ago my wife ragged me about getting gps for safety reasons and finally got it for my birthday Nice gift, really expensive too

Right after I got the thing I was caught out in fog off Marin coast 4 or 5 miles out from Stinson and probably 6 or 8 from Muir where I launched

Since I had my brand new GPS I wasn't too concerned but I wasn't getting my bearings like I normally would under those circumstances When I fired up the GPS it worked fine for 10 mins or so and flickered and died

Great company though They refurbed it, then sent me a new one the second time it died

Last time I fired up the vhf radio (my wife also insisted on that one)all I could pick up was morning television shows So I guess I'll have to send that one in too



Frankfishing buy all the gadgets you like just make sure a couple of them are good old fashioned compasses  Not sure why you need any of the other stuff

Anyway the basic drift of what I was saying is travel light and you won't regret it

Mr. Blue,

IMO, you are indeed skilled when it comes to kayak fishing and I do respect your views. I have read your some of your reports and I'am constantly amazed with the effort that you put in to get the big fish. However, we are talking about present day and there's now a big interest in the sport and with the given technology that we have now, why not take advantage of it? I do understand the principle of simplicity by just carrying a compass, but not everyone is as comfortable in the open water as you are. I personally can never paddle the distances you cover (I'm one of those guys who feels a lot safer on land ) but if ever catch up to your skills, I'll feel a lot safer with my gadgets. Bottom line: to each his own comfort level.

Peace, Love and Harmony....