Best place to start in salt water?

I live in Union City. This would be my first time in salt on a yak. Where would be a good easy launch where I could go out and catch some decent size fish I could eat? Halibut, rockfish, salmon, or?

Would be better/easier to start in the bay or just go to the ocean, are where?.

There's much to learn and prepare for when considering going in the ocean - let alone catching fish like halibut or salmon.  If I were you I'd hire a guide or find some friends to hookup with - you can keep watching here and try to join a hookup, but you really need exposure to the basics that a guide or class could provide.

Not trying to be self-serving - I only guide in Humboldt.

Best of luck.   

I live in Union City also. I go launch at MBK in Monterey. It is the easiest to launch for beginners and there is plenty of rockfish.

Santa Cruz is an option---easy launch at the harbor and some good fishing nearby...

I'm in Hayward and my opinion is half moon bay, easy launch protected harbor and decent fishing whe rockfish opens. Can drop a crab pot on way out as well. And if it gets gnarly you can always scoot back inside the harbor.
Just my .02

Hey skelley,

In my opinion Half Moon Bay is one of the best places for a newbie to get out and go  fishing in the salt. Easy launch from the HMB Kayak beach area and it's a really nice paddle out to the open ocean. During Rockfish season there are always a lot of NCKA Bruddahs posting and going out. If you don't have one , buy a good quality VHF radio and you can always call out on CH 69 to find guys already out in the ocean.
If you have never been out in the ocean before, go out with other NCKA Bruddahs, get a 3mm Farmer John style wetsuit a good PFD (life jacket) that is comfortable for paddling and fishing. Make sure that you check the wind, waves and tide charts before you go out. You don't want to get caught out when the wind starts blowing and you are a mile or so off shore. It can be a ball buster paddling in when the wind picks up and the ocean starts getting very choppy.
Keep checking the posts for hookups and join some NCKA  Bruddahs who have been out on the salt a lot.
As for me, there's nothing that beats the feeling of paddling out in the ocean and being out there in an altered state floating and paddling in the great blue.

Pic of my son Jonah and I crabbing in 1/15 at HMB.

See you out there sometime,

Da Bruddah (Michael Y.) Oakland

I normally fish out of HMB as well.  Just do your homework by searching past threads regarding areas to stay away from, have a radio, and be confident in your ability to self rescue.  The launches at HMB are as easy as they get. 

CCK has a good class regarding fishing the salt. It's more kayaking than fishing but it's definitely worthwhile.

No matter the launch, make sure you go with someone that is familiar with the water your going in.  Post a hookup, join a group hookup or a tournament.  Don't be shy and state your level of experience.  Make sure you have all required safety gear.

Thank you all!

It sounds like HMB is the place to start. I'm still a few months away. I still need a pfd, radio and wetsuit. I would like to take a class. I would like to get a FF too first.

Hey skellyca check out the thread i started for the upcoming class. They canceled the original planned date because they did not have enough people enrolled. I have heard great reviews about the class and the instructor.

http://norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=63890.0
4/4/15 CCK Kayak Fishing Safety & Rescue

Thank you all!

It sounds like HMB is the place to start. I'm still a few months away. I still need a pfd, radio and wetsuit. I would like to take a class. I would like to get a FF too first.

Have you been on fresh water? 
I wear my pfd even on lakes... Just never know if for some reason you faint and fall over.

Do you have the right kayak for salt?

Thank you all!

It sounds like HMB is the place to start. I'm still a few months away. I still need a pfd, radio and wetsuit. I would like to take a class. I would like to get a FF too first.

Have you been on fresh water? 
I wear my pfd even on lakes... Just never know if for some reason you faint and fall over.

Do you have the right kayak for salt?

Yes I've been on Fresh water. I have a Predator 13, I got that for for lakes though. Thinking about getting something like a Thresher for salt.

Another great, easy place to launch is Monterey Harbor or Monterey Coast Guard Pier & paddle around the harbor a bit before poking to the outside.  Easy paddle along the coastline to fishable grounds.  Never seen any breaking waves at the harbor ... just watch the afternoon wind forecast; can get a bit breezy.  HMB is good too but the swell can get you there & the increasing boat traffic.

Hey skellyca check out the thread i started for the upcoming class. They canceled the original planned date because they did not have enough people enrolled. I have heard great reviews about the class and the instructor.

http://norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=63890.0
4/4/15 CCK Kayak Fishing Safety & Rescue

I saw that and was waiting for it to come around again. I think I still need to get the top the require. I have some old booties, I also have some water shoes but I may need something else. How much is the class? I couldn't do 4/18, that's Tartan Day in Newark. Let me know what the upcoming date(s) are please.

It looks like its going to be early may, but ill keep you posted. The class provides all ewuipment, kayak, pfd, wetsuit. Im bringing my own gear just so i can get acustomed to it. And also to get a 10% discount. Its regularly $120. Its not much considering 7 hours of hands on learning, and at the end of the day you got tools to save your life that are invaluable. To me its a lvl up.