Hello All

Hi, my name is Will and I'm new to kayak angling. I am still looking to buy my first set up and was looking for any tips ideas or suggestions. Hoping to learn from you all and have fun out on the water.

Welcome Will,

My suggestion would be demo as many brands/models as you can ,picking a kayak is like choosing an auto or truck.. some like Ford  some Chevy, some like Toyota .

Some guys like Hobies , some Ocean Kayak and some Wilderness.

Most if not all kayak dealers will let you demo a kayak.

Pair it to the type of fishing you intend to do..learn all you can about safety and practice it.

Use the search here on NCKA and just keep asking questions.There are some very knowledgeable kayak fisher-"people" here

Welcome Will,

My suggestion would be demo as many brands/models as you can ,picking a kayak is like choosing an auto or truck.. some like Ford  some Chevy, some like Toyota .

Some guys like Hobies , some Ocean Kayak and some Wilderness.

Most if not all kayak dealers will let you demo a kayak.

Pair it to the type of fishing you intend to do..learn all you can about safety and practice it.

Use the search here on NCKA and just keep asking questions.There are some very knowledgeable kayak fisher-"people" here

This is all good advice.

Welcome to NCKA.   

Welcome to the madness, BAFO.

Welcome to the madness, BAFO.

think he just got baptized with his "real" NCKA name...BAFO

Welcome!

Welcome, Will. 

Welcome!

Thanks for the information, I plan on fishing in the bay and delta until I work up the balls to go past the gate and out to the ocean. Targeting halibut sturgeon rockfish lings anything that we have in nor cal really. I was looking at a 12ft ascend from basspro Just based on price at 600 should I be looking at something different?

Thanks for the information, I plan on fishing in the bay and delta until I work up the balls to past the gate and out to the ocean. Targeting halibut sturgeon rockfish lings anything that we have in nor cal really. I was looking at a 12ft ascend from basspro I just based on price at 600 should I be looking at something different?

well I`m not the best Kayak fisherman there is but I`ll just get you pointed in a good direction .
 
1. going out the gate .. doesn`t happen much , not very kayak friendly,  much much better  & safer areas  to fish

2. nothing against BPS , it`s not a kayak shop, most guys and gals that work at kayak shops fish or dive and  are kayakers and more than likely have paddled or peddled the stock     ..but if you like that boat ...there you go ,some guys use em`

3. BUDGET ....you can get the fever; buy something and regret it later or you can be patient , shop around, demo and choose.. you can find deals at shops, demo kayaks marked down  or a divorce sale or a guy making room cause his wife is pissed..

On a personal note my first  and only kayak was/is  a demo  Ocean Kayak T-13 ,got it with a good decent paddle ,seat for $ 800.. upgrade here ,upgrade there... been a good boat when I  havent  abused it 

Thanks for the info VK, I guess I'll be heading to a kayak shop and try some out before I spend some money.

Welcome aboard. 

Welcome to NCKA!  Like others mentioned, definitely try out several yaks before you decide.  Get what suits you best, not what others on the internet say about the boat.  Even then, once you get the full blown madness, you will be upgrading anyways.   

Good luck and see you around!

Thanks for the information, I plan on fishing in the bay and delta until I work up the balls to go past the gate and out to the ocean. Targeting halibut sturgeon rockfish lings anything that we have in nor cal really. I was looking at a 12ft ascend from basspro Just based on price at 600 should I be looking at something different?

Welcome to the madness. The other thing to consider is how much do you weight and how tall are you? Add few more bucks on that 600 and you will get much better and decent kayak. I kept going back to T13, first of course I cannot afford the kayak I wanted, I also found OK T13 a very versatile kayak, rigging and any body type of water very stable. If you live in San Francisco (I think your in EB) either way you are welcome to try my T13.  Also there are several guides on the board that can teach you a thing or two about safety and other important things about kayak fishing. PM/Contact Bushy, LoletaEric or Rider, these guys are very knowledgeable. PM me if you have other questions.

Welcome to NCKA Will