New to CA and Kayaking

Hello Everyone,

My name is Dann, but use the screen name Dannarchy.

About me: I moved to The Bay Area just over a year ago from MN for work. Right before I moved out here I sold my Ranger. I was thinking about getting another boat to fish with, but really do not know enough about Ocean fishing to make it worth the cost short term. I'm 46, Divorced 2 times and an Electronic Engineer that runs a Global Service Department for a Medical Device Company. I went to school in MO using the GI Bill after I spent my time in the Army. I have 3 kids (2 Boys in MO at College, Daughter in VA that is married). My passion is fishing so I'm excited to get back to fishing again. I have plenty of Northern, Walleye, and Muskee pics. My daughter tied the MN record for largest Bluegill (2lb, 13oz).

Last weekend A friend invited me to go trout fishing as we lazily float down the river in Clements. I purchased a Raft, but soon learned Kayaks were the way to go as I was working my ass off while being passed. I had to get out of the raft to fish where my friends could fish from their kayaks. I decided I should look into a kayak.

Before I start asking questions I plan to read what I can to gather as much info as I can before asking the same question you have heard a thousand times.

I am going to look at some kayaks that has a place for my dog to go with me as I take him everywhere I go. I live in an Apartment so I'll also have to figure out a place to store a Kayak. I have a 2015 MX-5 that will carry a Kayak pretty easily on a roof rack.

Great introduction!  Welcome to the madness Dann 

Welcome aboard Dann!


-Kiel

Welcome!

Demo, demo, demo!

Thank you for the welcome

Sounds like you're single at the moment, if so, you have options others might not have for storage like the living room, or a hallway, well,  you get the idea,

here's a vid I found, just one persons view but I thought it worthwhile to share.

Thanks Dale

This video is very helpful

Welcome and demo demo demo

Welcome, Dann. 

Welcome to the group.  I'm going to buck the trend just a tad.  Years ago a friend an I used to flyfish the yuba river above hwy 20 for steelhead  by floating down river from Engelbright dam.  We used a cheapo $40 rubber raft with a piece of plywood in the bottom.

Typical flows were 600-2400 cfs.  That little raft was a fishing machine.  Fish off of it in the slow stuff and just jump out in the faster runs.  We tied off with a short rope on a quick disco buckle.  In and out of that thing was literally seconds and it was small enough not to drag us around.  Bjorian numbers of fish.

The downside, perfect for the yuba and it's flows, marginal for the feather and not so smart for the Sac.

Buy a kayak.  Great group of folks on this site.  Come out to a group event.

Welcome to the madness, Dann.

Just remember, I'm a native Iowan, so none of those lame Iowa jokes that Minnesotans love so much...

Hi Dann, welcome!

If you're concerned about storage, you may be interested in looking into inflatable kayaks. I know most people well think, "inflatable? You know fishing involves sharp hooks, right??" Inflatable kayaks have come a very long way--they are surprisingly durable (assuming you get a decent one, of course). I don't think I could like a hole in mine unless I was actively trying to. The material is super thick and there are multiple walls and back up chambers.

I have an Advanced Elements inflatable and I LOVE it. I can transport it and store it with incredible ease and it takes 10 minutes to set up (I could probably do it even faster than that if I was trying). It's super sturdy--maybe even more so than traditional kayaks because it has just enough "give" to stay malleable in a wake or wave--and it's been great in the ocean and in lakes. I haven't taken it in a river yet but it's rated for class 2 rapids, which probably means you could even push it to class 3. I got a convertible tandem, which means it can be adjusted to be a tandem or a single, and there's room for me and my bf, plus some gear and a few fishing poles. If you have any questions about it, feel free to ask.

Happy fishing!

Thanks to everyone that made me feel welcome and gave advice.

I am going to demo a few different Kayaks this weekend. Paddle, peddle and inflatable.

I have a friend that has house with land in Oakley that will let me store the kayak there. It's a bit of a drive, but I have a few other things there so I go there once or twice a month anyway. His family is the one I went rafting with that started this whole adventure.

I think I am going to start out slow trying to save cost and upgrade later. Starting out in lakes and then move to rivers with the eventual plan to move into the ocean. Since I take my dog everywhere (I have to because I have microseizures) I am a little reluctant to go into the ocean. I've already started changing my rod, reels and rigs from midwest gear to CA appropriate gear. The fishing here as opposed to there is really very different. For instance the trout here will not even look at braided line since the streams are crystal clear, but in MN you have to use braided since Pike, Walleye and Muskie have teeth and will cut a line in a second.

I'm going to continue to read and gather info. I'd love to join one of the outings when I am ready to try and keep up.

Got to start at the point that suites you best. Good luck!

Welcome.

You'll find that a big lingcod and a muskie have lots in common. Big teeth!

And a bad temper...