new kayaker...please help!!!

If you're looking for a pedal kayak keep in mind that Santa Cruz kayaks is working on a pedal Raptor right now. Maybe PM Baitman he'd have more info on that.

Also might want to check out the Slayer Propel. PM Paddleboy on that one.

Hi BT,
I know that this post is coming late in the thread and seems like you are looking at the Hobie Revo 13. Before, I got into kayak fishing, I tried out my first Hobie at CCK in Oakland. They were very nice about trying out any version of the Hobie, even with the Turbo fins.
At the time, I was not thinking about fishing, but just wanted to paddle around the estuaries around Oakland and Alameda and ended up buying a Hobie Oasis Tandem (as I wanted to go out with my family).
After paddling around, it didn't take long to venture out in the bay and started to fish as I had already bought my Hobie with Scotty flush mounted rod holders, turbo fins and rod holders.
Probably like most of us with NCKA, one thing led to another and the exhilaration of paddling out in the ocean and going fishing was addictive!!!It was this feeling of being free, without the sound a motor, just the birds, wind and water; plus the views were just breathtaking.
When I caught my first bat ray in the bay outside Alameda on my first fishing trip, I was hooked!!!
If you are thinking about going crabbing for the first time, I would recommend going out with experienced NCKA kayaker. It can be dangerous hauling in the traps and bringing on board the kayak, especially if it has a lot of crabs in it. You will shortly find out that there is very little room to maneuver on the boat, opening the trap and pulling out and sizing the crabs. It is easy to flip a kayak, if you have too much weight on one side or suddenly shift your weight around.
My Hobie Oasis is 14ft long, pretty wide and hard to tip over. I once made the mistake of trying to pull one of my loaded traps that was stacked in the back on a PVC holder in the harbor. I ended up lifting the full trap too high and could not hold on to it and ended up flipping my kayak. Thank goodness a NCKA Bruddah was nearby and I had tethered most of my fishing equipment. It was one hell of workout to right my kayak and climb into it with 2 of my Danielson traps hanging off one side.
Since that time, I bought something called safety ladders, that are now permanently installed in  the front and back cockpit area attached to the grab bars. It is a lot easier righting a flipped kayak with the safety ladders thrown over the hull and once righted you can use it like a step ladder to climb back into the kayak.
Must haves; a floating VHF radio, wet or drysuit. I have a NRS Farmer John with the zipper in the front (great for peeing in the drive well of the Hobie) and some kind of compass or GPS device. I once went out of HMB in thick fog and it was pretty scary not being able to see and landmarks.
If I had a Revo, I would probably by AMA outrigger portable float pontoons to keep from flipping.
I have had great luck with the Danielson traps and they are pretty light and portable.

That's it for now.

Take Care,
Da Bruddah (Michael Y.)

I will be fishing Shadow Cliffs or HMB every weekend this month. I have an AI you can use. PM me some dates you are free. Shadow Cliffs is a good place to start kayak fishing. A 4/3 is ok but it gets chilly in the winter or up north. As others have said take an ocean kayaking class and read the safety section. You need a minimum amount of equipment and skills before going out on the ocean. There are quite a few Tri-valley on NCKA. Welcome. Scott

Hobies can be great. I have one as well as a paddle kayak. As you are just starting in the sport, ask yourself do I really want to spend three times as much for as Hobie as I would for a solid paddle kayak. You can always get the Hobie later. Having very little deck space when kayak fishing takes some getting used to. Many a lure or expensive piece of gear will be donated to the sea gods.  With a Hobie it's even harder. Imagine yourself in rough conditions trying to deal with a large crab trap while the drive is getting in the way. Unless it's an AI, dealing with multiple traps on a Hobie is a PITA

Based on your info, I'd suggest the SC Raptor over a Hobier pedal yak. And I agree with everything LR-Man just said.

I posted a fairly comprehensive (old) article on the fishing tips board.  covers the basics of kayak fishing safety, rigging etc.

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=61080.msg685573;topicseen#new

Bushy

Hobies can be great. I have one as well as a paddle kayak. As you are just starting in the sport, ask yourself do I really want to spend three times as much for as Hobie as I would for a solid paddle kayak. You can always get the Hobie later. Having very little deck space when kayak fishing takes some getting used to. Many a lure or expensive piece of gear will be donated to the sea gods.  With a Hobie it's even harder. Imagine yourself in rough conditions trying to deal with a large crab trap while the drive is getting in the way. Unless it's an AI, dealing with multiple traps on a Hobie is a PITA

Kirk - I actually prefer crabbing on my Revo over my AI.  I know lots of other guys the same way.

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=60463.0

I know that others do, but to me, being able to mount some traps on the flat bow of my Marauder or put the trap right in front of me while reloading bait or removing crabs and not having to worry about the traps getting caught on the drive is easier.

The AI with one outrigger and no sail is the crab boat of choice for me. The other great crab boats are the tridents with the rod pod where you can stow the rigging easily in the hull.

Welcome to NCKA bt5595 

Welcome to NCKA bt5595