Alright, so I've really been wanting to buy a fishing kayak but...

So I've been fishing on the bank for years to no avail Salmon, striper, steelhead, bass, everything. I am a student so I can't afford a full blown boat so i've turned to kayak fishing as an affordable way to get off the bank. A friend of mine is really into it but only does saltwater. I decided to entertain that. I've been checking it out for a little over a year now and went to Albion this year and just walked around and talked to a few people. It looks like a lot of fun however I am still really apprehensive about getting in the ocean in a kayak. Mainly because I am horrified of meeting the man.

That's right the man. You know what I am talking about.

He wears a gray suit.

Essentially I'm at the point where I could buy a little boat for freshwater fisheries however the saltwater thing looks like so much fun and I haven't heard of anybody chasing salmon in an 8 ft Valco Inshore, only kayaks.

Just would like to hear everybody's 0.02...

Thanks

Thomas

Hey,

I had the same worries when I first heard about kayak fishing. i just bought a kayak and have yet to go out. But what got me over that worry was just doing research. Yes it would be incredibly scary to confront a GWS. However,  the odds of doing so are incredibly rare. I hate to use the Lightning line but it is true. You are more likely to be struck by lightning. This being said, you do increase your chances by fishing in snarky water. I am going to go to a tournament to meet some fellow ncka members to hopefully make connections so in the future I am not fishing alone. I believe in strength in numbers. I would not let something that is .00000001% chance affect you from doing something you could potentially love. Hope to see you out on the water.

I know you said you're a student, but taking a class and/or heading out in the salt with a guide will really ease your mind in terms of personal safety. It'll definitely build your confidence.

As for meeting the landlord... that's completely an internal battle for you to wage.  Fear is fear, and risk is risk. Only you can (and should) decide if it's worth it for you.

That being said... the view is awesome out there and the fish are big 

Honestly I was a little anxious my first couple times on the salt. I've learned to embrace the fact that I'm not on top of the food chain once I leave shore. If it's gonna ruin your fishing experience don't do it. Get on your first fat ling and you'll forget all about that man in the grey suit 

When you enter the ocean, you enter the food chain, and not necessarily at the top.
 -Jacques Cousteau

Don't worry though dude! We're usually top dogs out there

Worrying about a shark from on top of the water in a kayak is an irrational fear to me. There are way too many other dangerous incidents that are more likely to occur.

Like ridiculous irrational. Someone can correct me but I don't think there's ever even been a fatal shark attack on a kayaker in CA. It might be a scary thought and a scary way to go but there's just so...so much more i'd be worried about before that.

I figure that I can probably die from about 10 or more different things on any given day. Kayak fishing for me was a calling. I started thinking, well I live in the Bay Area, we are surrounded by water, what would it be like to have a portable boat that is not going to break the bank, give you endless hours of peaceful pleasure, can drop it in almost anyplace.
Then I test drove some Hobies at CCk in the Oakland Estuary and I was blown away!!!!
To this very day, every time I paddle out in the big blue, I leave everything behind, the healing salt air and water, birds, seals, just puts me in another dimension.
At first, I wanted to go out in the ocean so badly, I was going out by myself and then I met some great guys who told me about NCKA. I slowly got in deeper and deeper and found that there was this incredible group of kayak fishermen (NCKA) that look out for each other, help each other in times of grief and hardship and celebrate together when one us has a good day.
I would say that the chances of finding something that keeps your mind, body and spirit in tune and finding a random group of guys who love to fish from their plastic boat is quite rare.
I can now say after 2 years that it is a privilege and honor to be be part of this Great Brother/Sisterhood!!!! Yeah there are some Sisters!!
Life is short, we may not be around tomorrow.
Pick your winners and let your heart lead the way.
In Hawaii we used to talk pidgin English one of our popular pidgin phrases was : "You go stay go, I go stay come".
In short it means "you go ahead and I will follow you".
I have been following some great brothers and I can truly say that I have met some Great Bruddahs!!
Dive in, paddle out, everything takes care of itself once your mind, body and heart is ONE!
The answers will come when we take that risk and Go For IT!!
Aloha,
Da Bruddah (Michael Y.)
Oakland, CA formerly from Ninole, Hawaii on the Big island!!!!!!!!

As salt water kayak fishermen our chances of an encounter with a GWS are much higher than the chance of getting hit by lightning.  I've seen them and so have quite a few others on the site.  I think we have close to half a dozen active members who have actually experienced their boats being bitten.  With the large amounts of sightings in the central coast lately it is only a matter of time till the next encounter and we are not even in Sharktober. 

Not trying to scare anyone away.  I am aware of the risks and take them every week.  But the GWS risk is real and should not be taken lightly. 

Most attacks on kayaks end well for the kayakers.  They get the shit scared out of them, a little swim and back on the boat to tell a great story.

Now get out there.  Just remember you safety gear.
Josh

lots of good advice here already.
budget to take an intro to paddling class of some type to learn good fundamentals and rescues.
Know you'll invest some $ in safety gear (PFD, neoprene gear, radio), say $300 maybe, or less if get stuff used. A used kayak in seaworthy shape will run $300-1000 depending on age and model. Remember you'll be depending on the gear to stay safe, so don't go too cheap.

As for the shark thing, only you will know if it will impede your enjoyment. Can't know 'til you go.
I've seen two in close to 20 years kayaking saltwater, both in the last 10 years. Neither one was critical, but they were both spooky as hell.

All that said, a kayak is a big, sturdy piece of plastic that can take one hell of a beating and leave you pretty safe. So, you've always got that on your side.

Invest in an intro course to ocean kayaking this will probably ease your nerves and not break the bank.


If you want to use a sit-on-top kayak for coastal trips, this class is a great investment towards making your adventures safe and enjoyable This class combines the Intro to Kayaks and Surf Zone for a comprehesive and intensive fun day. Includes wetsuit, sit-on-top single kayak and all gear. Instructors are ACA trained. A minimum 2 people are required for the class, or available by private instruction.

Offered every Sunday 9:30 to 5:00


http://www.montereybaykayaks.com/HostedStore.LassoApp?-ResponseLassoApp=search.lasso&category=Kayak%20Classes

You will also be able to demo their yaks in the process. I believe they offer an NCKA discount as well.

I strongly recommend a course of this type. Always remember safety first. You want to feel safe and comfortable in the water before you start fishing from a yak.

Antonio

Hi Thomas -

It's a personal decision and taking a training/safety class will most likely help assuage some of those concerns.

My first kayak trip was a spearfishing dive out near Pebble Beach. I was worried about Mr. Grey (Carmel isn't known for being sharky, but Monterey had a seen some signs around that time) but began my dive anyway. While stalking the reef, something silver/grey flashed towards me from the corner of my vision and I nearly destroyed my wetsuit. It turned out to be a seal and for the duration of the dive, we hunted and swam together. I even forgave her for trying to steal my fish.

It's surprising how many water-based memories are replayed in my quiet moments.   

Da Bruddah puts it very well -- "To this very day, every time I paddle out in the big blue, I leave everything behind, ... just puts me in another dimension."

Mr. Grey is out there but so are experiences and memories. Encountering one is more likely than the other. If you can't get comfortable, it won' t be worth it; if you take a class or go on an introductory trip with an experienced mentor, you may find your comfort level changing. 

First off, you were smart enough to ask.

So there a lot of other ways you can die on the water.  Hyperthermia being one of them.  Being run over by a Navy Vessel at high speed (didn't die, but did happen),  falling in, being attacked by a swan (yes really did happen), Lightening, hit by a boat, not wearing the @#$%^ PFD,  these are just a few ways people have died related to kayaking/canoeing, besides the Landlord.

I was going to paint "NOT A SEAL" on the bottom of my hull when I first started ocean kayak fishing but then someone told me GWS can't read, so I scrapped that idea.

That wasn't helpful, I know.

NotaSeal

On a serious note, we have those frickin' idiots on Discovery Channel chumming up GWS teaching them to associate humans with food and training them to bite plastic so they can get the money shot and boost their ratings. It needs to be against the law.

NotaSeal