How to Invest In Kayak Fishing: Intro for Newbies?

Hey, que pasa?  I'm a fishin' nut and fairly new to the boards.

I'm seeking guidance for a purchase list to get into kayak fishing from this community and of course in return will return that when I can.  I want to fish in the Ocean, mainly North Sonoma Coast.  Locations like Fort Ross, Ocean Cove, and especially those impossible to launch a power boat spots like Russian Gulch and such.  I would like to keep it simple and don't have a big budget.

1.  Any additions to the must have list?
2.  Any additions to the upgrade list?
3.  Anything I should consider that I may not have already?

Must Haves:
-Kayak (What brands are ideal for one person, ocean worthy, portable with sedan + price range)
-Paddle
Already have a lifejacket and surfing/diving wetsuits

Upgrades:
-Wheels
-Fish finder

By the way I have been fishing the North Sonoma Coast (Ocean Cove, Fort Ross, Goat Rock, Jenner, and Bodega Bay) for the last couple of years with a 12 ft. Aluminum boat+portable motor and have come to the conclusion the kayak would be easier to launch.  Not to mention I could hook up with the local crew and don't have to worry about transporting Sea Sick mates back to shore!

All replies will be read...

Have you read this yet?  http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=27534.0

Lots of good info!

Welcome to NCKA Taffy    Take some time and look around, there're a wealth of information about kayak fishing and gearing up.

Invest??????

Step 1. Delete NCKA account.
Step 2. Get library card.

Just to give you a lay of the land, some of the most popular brands include Ocean Kayak, Wilderness Systems, Cobra, Jackson, Malibu, Old Town, and Hobie. The majority of ocean fishing kayaks are sit-on-top, 12' and over, have a hatch in the front and a tankwell in the back. Beyond that broad description, everything else is going to be personal preference, and of course there are people who like shorter kayaks, sit inside, two hatch, etc etc.

Regarding carrying on a sedan, last night I drove from Orange County to Redwood City with my new Wilderness Systems Tarpon 160 (16' long) on the top of my 1995 Honda Civic. So beyond some extreme examples, your car shouldn't limit your kayak choice (although it will get sandy and salty )

-research kayak fishing online & especially on NCKA
-buy used SOT kayak for $350
-score a used paddle, wetsuit, pfd from kayak rental shop for $100
-get some foam blocks to strap kayak of roof of car
-go fishing

That's what I did like 14 kayaks ago!

The NCKA link above provided by "Saw" should be taken as gospel.  Nobody should go salt until they have the gear necessary to survive being in cold water.  Good wetsuit, PFD, and VHF are the most important items you will have, invest wisely.

Ok, I know repetitive question by newbie.  Got everything I was seeking and then some, including a good laugh (library card, haha).  Thanks all.

Take Jeremy's advice.....Cut and run as fast as you can or suffer the consequence!!!

You'll dream about it, you'll spends your last dollar on it and you'll beg borrow and steal to get a fix of kayak fishing!!!! Trust an old fart dude, stop ad stop now before its too late!!!

Just kidding go for it with this bunch of crazies and enjoy!!!! You'll love it but you have been warned!

welcome Taffy

also try and see when guys on here are meeting to hit the salt in your area...send p.m's to members with the same location on their info as you....

I watch guys that have experience when I see them and ask questions,also if they see I dont have one the important items-often safety stuff-they will tell me

I watch to see how they set up their kayak-how they load and unload- where they keep their gear organized on the water
what type of reel-rod-lure-string etc

imo fishing with guys on here will fill the kayak learning curve very quick-and reading every thread you can
Welcome those spots you mentioned to try fishing are super cool...your in a great area
Craig

Taffy, head up to Trinidad on 9/13 to Rockwars.  There will be plenty of people willing to show and tell.

Taffy, head up to Trinidad on 9/13 to Rockwars.  There will be plenty of people willing to show and tell.

there you go,like that!

one thing im working on now is "saving money = spending money"
sounds crazy ,but at the start buy the basic stuff to get going ,then, once you have enough to fish, try and only buy good stuff--it saves me from buying stuff twice or more -to just wait and buy the better item/the one folks on here have learned works best---bargains end up in the tool shed most of time

After you get the essentials , keep it simple, assume every trip out your going in and prepare for that.  Tie off  or put floaties on stuff you don't want to loose.  Dont forget to have a whistle on your vest, water with you no matter what, and leave a plan with someone who will know you should be back by X hour or call by X hour.  If you say your going to call by X hour call by then, it is good way to burn up WAF points fast if you don't.

Best deal is to buy a used fishing kayak. Lots of guys rig out a kayak and then for whatever reason decide to sell it and buy something else. Their used kayak is still going to be as good as new for fishing and may have rigging already in place which will save you even more money. 90% of the kayaks sold never make it into this state as they are designed more for protected lakes and creek fishing than ocean fishing. Ocean Kayak models dominate and are easiest to find both new and used.

For where you plan to go I would consider size and weight. Kayaks for fishing can weigh anywhere from 50 to 110 pounds and that makes a difference. Width can be from 28 inches to 35 inches and the wider ones will be more stable but slower.

Your diving wetsuit will be much too thick for use fishing on a kayak. You will be much too hot and it will greatly restrict your body when paddling. I used to dive from a Necky Spike and even my stomach muscles had to push against the neoprene and it took a lot more effort to get from point A to point B and with a 3mm farmer john wetsuit. The Necky had a rudder which helped greatly when crossing the bay with the usual prevailing wind across the beam.

Fish finders are a nice to have. Park beside a stand of kelp and it will be hard not to catch rock fish. Where there is kelp there is a rocky bottom and structure and you do not need a fish finder to figure that out.

No guessing here ... I'm a proponent of a ff/gps if not for the safety factor at the very least.  I have been on a boat & kayak on days were direction is gone once you loose sight of the coastline.  Yes, a compass will perform a similar duty if you know how to use one.  I feel my gps system is a VERY important piece of safety equipment and rank it right there with my drysuit, vhf & lifejacket.  A GPS will also help aid you in not fishing in a "no fish" zone.

As for FF.  There are plents of times I will fish w/o mine.  Yes, kelp is one indicator of structure.  Lots of times I find fish where no kelp is visable.  There are other species of fish other than RF too...    A FF will help to locate bait, bottom structure and fishing regulatory depths.  These are factors to think about when choosing electronic equipment for your kayak regardless of brand you choose.

No guessing here ... I'm a proponent of a ff/gps if not for the safety factor at the very least.  I have been on a boat & kayak on days were direction is gone once you loose sight of the coastline.  Yes, a compass will perform a similar duty if you know how to use one.  I feel my gps system is a VERY important piece of safety equipment and rank it right there with my drysuit, vhf & lifejacket.  A GPS will also help aid you in not fishing in a "no fish" zone.

As for FF.  There are plents of times I will fish w/o mine.  Yes, kelp is one indicator of structure.  Lots of times I find fish where no kelp is visable.  There are other species of fish other than RF too...    A FF will help to locate bait, bottom structure and fishing regulatory depths.  These are factors to think about when choosing electronic equipment for your kayak regardless of brand you choose.

Great points Bill!

As a diver I can totally say that:

1. Not all kelp is equal...some times the structure is GREAT under a patch/stalk of kelp and sometimes it is a measly little patch of gravelly rock that no fish would want to be around. Especially in spring/summer when the kelp blanket on the surface is out of control...

2. There is a ton of structure out there not marked by kelp.

I am not too tech/electronic savvy but know for sure that FF and GPS are great tools that I wish I was more adept at using.

 

Sincerely,

Jim