New guy in San Jose looking for guidance

I've been interested in kayak fishing for a while and am ready to jump in and get to learning. Wondering what my first step should be. I've paddled a few kayaks and also learned to paddle a pirouge and Jon boat as a kid in SW Mississippi.I'm looking forward to getting into this lifestyle.

You came to the right place. If you're planning on saltwater, this is the place to start:
http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=27534.0

Welcome!  I'd recommend going out to any posted Hook Up and meet some of the folks.  You can take a look at their rigs and then start figuring out what your preference of fishing will be.  Then, make it out to a larger event and demo different kayaks that you might be interested in.

AND/OR.... hook up with one of the certified Guides on NCKA and get a jump start on all that.

Maybe take a safety class or two from one of the local kayak outfitter shops.  Whatever you do, don't buy a kayak from Craigslist or a big box store until you figure out exactly what your needs are... you'll just end up wasting money and getting a different kayak.  See ya out there!

Welcome to NCKA MississippiRed 

Where to start?!  Well... Do you have a target place or species you want to fish for?  That will determine what and where to start with.  If your not sure about the ocean quite yet, then check out some of the local lakes.  In SJ it's mostly bass fishing, but if you venture further away you can fish for stripers, trout, kokanee, land locked salmon, etc.  Different lakes have different species, and some are better than others for fishing.  Post a hookup and ask for info on places or species and someone is likely to help you out or join you!  Same goes for the ocean, but there are many more fish to fish for.  But in general most people are after rockfish.

Thank yall for the warm welcome. I'll definitely keep my eyes open and get out to a hook up and try and do the safety class. I'm mostly interest in ocean and bay  fishing, rockfish, salmon, halibut.... all the usual suspects..

I just started recently. I bought my used kayak from Monterey Bay Kayaks. Pretty decent prices, they turn over their inventory about every two years. You might want to just rent from them a couple of times. Their kayaks are just bare bones, no rod holders or anything, but at least you can try them, bring your own bungie cords, and get a feel for it.
Good luck, hope to see you out there with a big salmon bungie corded across your yak!
Warren

Whats up Casey! I've got a spare yak & gear, let's go fishing. In the meantime, read all the safety info and checkout posts about different types of kayaks (Ocean Kayak vs Wilderness Systems vs Jackson vs SC Kayaks vs Hobie etc). Once you get to 10 posts, you can see the Members Only sections too.
Btw check your messages on FSF.

You'll be addicted to kayak fishing soon enough! Welcome to the forum!!

Welcome!  Looks like you registered on here way way back!   

See you on the water sometime.

Welcome!  Looks like you registered on here way way back!   

See you on the water sometime.

Signed up in 2005, 0.002 post per day, less than one post per year.
It's time buddy! .........get out there before its too late