Getting gear together, any advice?

Sorry for the thread jack but here's what I've seen on these point forecast pages.

There is always a picture/link to, the hourly weather graphs in the lower right margin of the page,

Sometimes it's called hourly weather forecasts, and sometimes its called hourly weather graphs, I'm not sure why, on the 2 examples below one is over land and the other is a marine forecast. Maybe that's why.  Since I always just click on the pic of a graph I never noticed the different titles.

No problem, I'm trying to learn how to read these so all information is definitely welcomed. I was looking at swells yesterday reading 8-10 ft and figured it would be a bad day at baker beach to go out and drop crab pots but i was out there and it didn't look bad to where I wouldn't have been able to go out 50-100 yards. Am I reading the forecast wrong...? Should I be looking at other parameters as well as swell info and wave height which said 1-5 ft.

No problem, I'm trying to learn how to read these so all information is definitely welcomed. I was looking at swells yesterday reading 8-10 ft and figured it would be a bad day at baker beach to go out and drop crab pots but i was out there and it didn't look bad to where I wouldn't have been able to go out 50-100 yards. Am I reading the forecast wrong...? Should I be looking at other parameters as well as swell info and wave height which said 1-5 ft.

So,,,, was it a point forecast or was it an area forecast, the 2 can be vastly different.  An area forecast tends to give the worst conditions that will be seen in the whole area.  A point forecast give data for the point you placed the cursor. 

And never forget they are just forecast that can be significantly off.

A variety of things like the shape of the coast, swell direction, wind direction, bottom configuration, etc can affect the nearshore ocean conditions, so experience with each place you go is imperative to a safe outing.

I've never been to Baker Beach so don't know how forecast vs actual conditions shake out.

Let me say this, I often just go to a beach, and looking at the surf say to myself that doesn't look too bad I could do that, BUT EXPERIENCE tells me it would really kick my ass if I tried.

While I've never taken a class (and I know I should), the prevailing opinion is that a general kayak skills/surf launching class is probably one of the best things you can do for yourself.

I think I was checking on an area forecast not point. The were larger sets that would have been rough going through then a lot smaller sets that would have been easy to get through with the 2 spaced apart about 15 sec or so. My son was able to get out on the body board with no issue and I was chest deep in waders with no issue with the larger waves. After the 2nd break it was pretty calm. At most a little bumpy. Definitely looked better at low tide, high tide looked sketchy for never having been out OTW in a yak.

Sorry for the thread jack but here's what I've seen on these point forecast pages.

There is always a picture/link to, the hourly weather graphs in the lower right margin of the page,

Sometimes it's called hourly weather forecasts, and sometimes its called hourly weather graphs, I'm not sure why, on the 2 examples below one is over land and the other is a marine forecast. Maybe that's why.  Since I always just click on the pic of a graph I never noticed the different titles.

I seem to be getting a different page.

I use these or a combination of, that being said its never a for sure  thing till you get there for go / no go..plus as you learn the areas you`ll fish you learn to  get an idea how each one is in certain conditions..


http://www.willyweather.com

http://www.wrh.noaa.gov

http://www.tides4fishing.com/

I seem to be getting a different page.

I think it's the difference between a mobile app and a laptop/desktop format.

When I use my phone, it looks like yours and I see the graphs by scrolling down a bit past the map.

I think I was checking on an area forecast not point. The were larger sets that would have been rough going through then a lot smaller sets that would have been easy to get through with the 2 spaced apart about 15 sec or so. My son was able to get out on the body board with no issue and I was chest deep in waders with no issue with the larger waves. After the 2nd break it was pretty calm. At most a little bumpy. Definitely looked better at low tide, high tide looked sketchy for never having been out OTW in a yak.

Look up "significant wave height" - I believe it's a NOAA page.  Seems "techie", but grasping the concept helps when interpreting what you're seeing.

When you're just looking, watch the direction of the swells and of the wind and see how that affects conditions.  Opposing winds can make the face of a wave much more steep - making for shorter, choppier swells - and trailing winds will flatten out swells making longer, flatter seas.

It's a Good Thing to look and think about what you're seeing and it doesn't take long to understand all of the relationships.  You're doing good.

Let me say this, I often just go to a beach, and looking at the surf say to myself that doesn't look too bad I could do that, BUT EXPERIENCE tells me it would really kick my ass if I tried.

+1

Looks can be deceiving.

Let me say this, I often just go to a beach, and looking at the surf say to myself that doesn't look too bad I could do that, BUT EXPERIENCE tells me it would really kick my ass if I tried.

+1

Looks can be deceiving.

yep ..this

I seem to be getting a different page.

I think it's the difference between a mobile app and a laptop/desktop format.

When I use my phone, it looks like yours and I see the graphs by scrolling down a bit past the map.

I seemed to have figured out some of the difference. The hourly weather forecast and weather graph seem to be the same thing. If I move your San Pablo pinpoint over Santa Rosa I get the link labeled Hourly Weather Forecast. When over the water I get the graph. Either way the links go to the same graph and the info is the same. I do however find the tabular format easier to read.

I'm going to have time after this week to finally take the yak out, is anyone going out anytime soon and doesn't mind me tagging along ? I've pretty much got the self rescue down from the pool maybe someone going out to the delta or San Pablo bay on a calm day...

I'm going to have time after this week to finally take the yak out, is anyone going out anytime soon and doesn't mind me tagging along ? I've pretty much got the self rescue down from the pool maybe someone going out to the delta or San Pablo bay on a calm day...

I think I was checking on an area forecast not point. The were larger sets that would have been rough going through then a lot smaller sets that would have been easy to get through with the 2 spaced apart about 15 sec or so. My son was able to get out on the body board with no issue and I was chest deep in waders with no issue with the larger waves. After the 2nd break it was pretty calm. At most a little bumpy. Definitely looked better at low tide, high tide looked sketchy for never having been out OTW in a yak.

So am I reading this right, you have zero time on that yak outside of the pool?  NCKA is a great group of people but we take our safety reputation pretty seriously and might at times seem offensive with advice, but really just have your safety in mind,

So with all that said San Pablo bay or even the delta for the most part isn't a good place to start out unless you do hook up with an experienced partner/group.  The currents and winds that you can encounter in the bay and delta can be treacherous especially if you've never encountered them.



Be patient, go out on a lake a few times, maybe get the chance to safely paddle in some wind, 

You're right I have zero time on a yak. I'm not new to begin OTW but just not on a yak. Been on everything but a yak. Closest thing was an inflatable raft on a river. And just like those things I take all water sports safety serious, which is why I'm checking if anyone is down with me tagging along. I don't want to head out in the bay solo. The delta I would do but more so out towards Stockton where the water isn't fast. If no one is willing to let me tag along I will just get some hours under my belt out towards Stockton and some lakes to get a better feel of the yak. I know the water isn't somewhere to mess around. But I am willing to learn techniques and more safety but experience in my past has been the best teacher. I just figured San Pablo since it seems calmer there than the rest of the bay.

Thanks for the update,

Sherman Lake is interesting.  Nice park and boat ramp at Sherman Island County Park. 

As far as tagging along, watch for hookups, now that you've got more than 10 posts you should be able to see more in the members section.

I'm out in the walnut grove area alot. I'll post next time I go out, or you can pm me. I have no problem showing people around my "home" waters and sharing what little I know.
Most important thing about fishing the Delta is knowing  your tides, they can work for you if you time trips correctly. If your not careful, you can wind up going alot farther than you expected and be on the water after sunset. Ask me how I know...