HMB Saturday first time ocean. need guide.

hi guys my name is bob, and im new to this board. i am planning to go out for the very first time in saltwater to pillar point on saturday morning at 6am.  i am a bit nervous so i think i will stay within the harbor unless the conditions are calm then i will venture out a little bit.

i am hoping someone can show me around.

i have been kayaking mostly in freshwater and i am still a beginner. i have a perception pescador 12 in red.

i plan on bringing the following:
-pfd
-farmer john 3mm suit
-warm clothes and hat
-some food and water
-change of clothes
-water shoes
-gloves
-small backpack with tackle and tools, knife, pliers, tape measure, first aid etc.
-2 rods for trying to rockfish, lings, and crabs
-crab snare
-crab guage
-bait (squid? maybe anchovy?)

 kayak perception pescador 12 equipped with:
-scotty rod holder
-another rod holder right behind seat
-paddle with leash
-anchor and anchor trolley (will this be necessary?)

what i'd like to bring but cannot afford at the moment:
-vhf radio
-fish finder
therefor i will stay in or near the harbor close to people just in case something goes wrong.


would you guys recommend anything else? i am broke at the moment so i wont have the means to buy anything over 50bucks, and i plan to add a little here and there as i progress.  i keep it light as far as equipment when i go kayak fishing. at the moment. but in the future i have plans for more rigging for the yak.

any tips on what bait or lures i should use? i have never targetted rockfish before...

also from hearing from what people recommend, i plan on launching at the beach near the old pier. will be there at 6am.

i appreciate any tips and or anyone able to join me on saturday.

You are on a good start, however, HMB is not for a beginner, like some mentioned before this body of water is very tricky, hence, a few even veterans dunk here. So be very careful, Saturday is a weekend pretty sure there will be a few kayakers will show up. So if you can stick with them. It is NOT recommended for beginners to venture out alone.

As far as bait, squid strips works well on rockfish, use shrimp fly with some strips will enticed bite. There are some radios 3W that are $49.99 thats under 50  again be safe.   

Hi Bob, welcome to NCKA!  Sounds like you have most of the gear...although I would say that VHF is very important, especially in the ocean.  I would definitely add that as your next item for purchase. 

I am sure there will be some NCKAers out there this weekend, but I wouldn't advise venturing out too far on Saturday based on the current forecast.  Sunday seems to look better.  Whichever day you decide on, good luck and be safe out there.

Saturday NW wind around 9 kt. Partly sunny. Mixed swell...W 6 ft and SSW 1 ft. Wind waves around 1 ft.

Sunday Variable winds 5 kt or less. Partly sunny. Mixed swell...W 4 ft and SW 1 ft. Wind waves around 1 ft.

If it is your first time out on the salt, and you are staying in the harbor, leave your rockfishing gear at home. Rockfish tend to congregate around structures, and it is pretty flat inside the harbor. Besides, you will be too busy ducking all the boats heading out to the crabbing grounds on the opener of the commercial crabbing season.

Spend some time reading the "Safety First" and "Hookups and Fishing Reports (Viewable by Public)" boards to give yourself an idea of what to expect. Make sure you know how to do a reentry and buy a VHF and learn how to use it BEFORE you head outside of the harbor mouth. Good luck out there.

That's right, the commercial opener. Wouldnot make much sense to stay in the harbor. Unless i can tag along with someone. Or Perhaps i should find a different place? What do you guys recommend? Im coming from san jose. Are there any other places for beginners?

Hey Bob! id recommend a whole squid, you get both rock cod and lings.. I recommend going with a three way swivel with about a 4 once weight (depending on weather) and hooking the squid through the mantle so that it looks like its alive and swimming. I don't have any trouble hooking the fish and they're always hooked perfectly on the mouth and don't swallow it too far. Goodluck out there looking forward to the report!

You can try launching out of Santa Cruz harbor. If you decide to go that route, contact Allen Bushnell (Bushy) http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?action=profile;u=123. He is a guide from Santa Cruz.

If you plan to fish in the ocean you'll need a net with at least 18" across to comply with the DFW regulation.

Sunday would be a better day to venture outside the harbor. The winter in general is not a good time for a first time ocean trip. As mentioned, the HMB reef can be treacherous if you don't know the area. A sonar and VHF are needed to fish the reef. The sonar will tell you when you are too shallow and at risk for a sneaker wave and the VHF is your lifeline if you need help.

Saturday NW wind around 7 kt. Partly sunny. Mixed swell...W 6 ft and SSW 1 ft. Wind waves around 1 ft.

Sunday NNE wind around 6 kt. Partly sunny. Mixed swell...W 4 ft and SW 1 ft. Wind waves around 1 ft.

I doubt it would be worth rockfishing on Saturday because of the storm front today. There are a lot of bait just outside the harbor mouth so a small sabiki should work. There are surf perch on the inside jetty near the jaws. There are sand sole just off the south jetty.

The only guides I know are Allan Bushnell (scallen-Monterey/Santa Cruz) and Eric Stockwell (LoletaEric/Abking Humboldt). Both are excellent. I would take an ocean paddling class first. I like the one at monterey bay kayaks but there are others.

I did not see a Personal Floatation Device mentioned ....an absolute necessity.  Also be sure to fill up the space below the hatches with pool noodles for extra floatation in case a hatch comes loose and you swamp.  Make at least 20 successful self rescues in the clothes and pfd you will wear before you go on the ocean. Be sure to flip the kayak over a few times so you know how to deal with that.  Don't mess with the anchor and trolley till you are experienced an leave it at home or it will just be one more thing to get tangled up. Take as little extra gear as you can.  Get an experienced hookup to go with.  Respect the ocean.  Study the forecasts.  Don't go out in low or forecast fog without a gps. Learn that deciding not to go is always the right answer if you have any doubts about the conditions or your ability to deal with them.    After all that, the salt is incredible fun when you are ready.

Hire Bushy.
He'll show you the ropes.
GREAT guide.

He got it listed at the first line. Pfd

Hire Bushy.
He'll show you the ropes.
GREAT guide.

+100 I have used Bushy on my maiden voyage well worth it. I know you said you have tight budget. But life is worth more than we earn in lifetime. Invest on safety. We are safety first fisherman second.

Hi Bob! It sounds like you've done your homework. That's much appreciated. Hopefully somebody is available to paddle out with ya...and maybe they'll even have a spare VHF to borrow. There are lots of members who don't mind showing newbies around...heck I actually enjoy it. But I'm on the DL for another month.
From your list, I would ditch the anchor; you won't need that. And I would suggest getting a small drybox (like a Pelican box) to keep your phone safe in case of emergency etc.
Since you've already spent plenty of time on your kayak in freshwater, you know how it handles. Saltwater kayaking is a different level but don't let it psyche you out--just be smart and take advantage of all the resources available...so you know what to expect in terms of marine forecast, areas to avoid, how to get back on your yak if you fall out, etc. I hope you have a good time OTW and good luck!

I'm sure you searched but here's a really good post regarding fishing HMB:

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=60213.0

Definitely get a VHF as soon as you can.  You can get by without a fishfinder for a little while by using a GPS app on your smartphone.  It'll give you basic locations and depths for HMB, but also have at least a compass.

I consider myself a newbie too, but I'll fish with you.  I just happen to be out of town this weekend.  Just keep posting up for Hook Ups.  Good luck!