Newbie here...

Hi everyone    

I'm a newbie here, and looking to join the fun this year.  I moved to CA last summer, and did get in one outing with forum members before having a baby and WAF forcing me to hang up the rods for while.  I attended the Crappiefest at Lexington in fall, and was impressed by everyone's friendly nature.  That was my first time fishing for crappie without a bobber and worm, and Frank loaned me some grubs.  I used to have the screen name New2Yak, but just renamed myself AI Fisher, since I just bought a Hobie AI.  I know many members of the forum aren't crazy about Hobie's, but I'm an avid biker and wanted to use my legs a little and try trolling under sail.  Frank has already advised me that the pedals will be worthless in the kelp beds, and to be prepared to paddle.

I've been reading the forums since arriving here last summer, but still have lots of questions.  Probably too many to ask all at once, so I will try to spread them out as I join the various outings.  Coming from Dallas, the biggest thing I fished for was bass on 10lb line.  I can't believe the size of the dinos.  I'm still a little bit shy of going on the big water outings, but am eager to join the inland and delta outings, and protected bays are probably OK.

Welcome to the madness AI  Hope you can make the Half Moon Bay Derby - it will give you the chance to "peddal" out in the big blue with the safety of others. It's a fairly close paddle to the fishing grounds but if the conditions are crappy, you can always hang inside the Harbor. Anyway, this will give you the chance to meet the "family" and also get the chance to check out everyone's rigged kayaks. Trust me, even if you don't get to fish you'll still have a great time with this bunch.....I've been involved with this group ever since the birth of NCKA and I've always had just as much fun "off the water" with 'em 

I know many members of the forum aren't crazy about Hobie's

I'll be honest and say that I'm one of 'em...BUT I'm not gonna hold it against you  As long as you love to fish and don't mind sharing your success with others, I'll be more than happy to hang out and fish with you anytime! That's what NCKA is all about  ......but if your a surfer        ....that may just change things a bit   

AI Fisher,
Good to hear your back and ready to launch with us! (I'll be honest and say that I'm one of 'em...BUT I'm not gonna hold it against you )
Don't pay any attention to Joel he's just jealous that some of us can do it on are feet as while as our hands. Your going to have to put up with this type of personality and friendly ribbing from now on.
Welcome back again and hoping to hookup soon. Frank

Paddle, pedal, whatever...just get that little tike a PFD and you're set to go! Glad to hear you will be on the water again--I really enjoy freshwater fishing, too, so hope to see you out on northern California lakes soon.

Janice aka "Big J"

There are alot of Hobie guys on the boards and Joel just likes to bust chops...  I'd like to see the AI in action.  Would be nice to sail back to the harbor after a long day of trolling...

If I could figure out how to put peddles on the tarpon I'd be all over it

Blue... have you tried the Hobie Adventure yet?

JTF swears that Hobie modeled the hull design around the Tarpon 160.  And considering how you're an experience cyclist, you might love it.  The Adventure is the closest thing I've seen to the perfect salmon trolling machine.

You're welcome to demo mine.  It also has the faster turbo fin upgrade.

Sean's Kaskazi Dorado?

If I could figure out how to put peddles on the tarpon I'd be all over it

Blue... have you tried the Hobie Adventure yet?

JTF swears that Hobie modeled the hull design around the Tarpon 160.  And considering how you're an experience cyclist, you might love it.  The Adventure is the closest thing I've seen to the perfect salmon trolling machine.

You're welcome to demo mine.  It also has the faster turbo fin upgrade.

Chuck, now I know how your beating me, I dare you to take the turbo fins off and race me you dirty rotten...

AI, I use to have an outback when I first started yak fishing, pretty cool little vessel, I had some issues with it and decided to get a longer kayak.  Then they came out with the adventure, bummer, I wish I would have waited... Then again, another reason I dont like them is the flipper action under the boat, makes them look like an injured sea lion swimmin on the surface. Welcome Aboard.  JTF..

JTF, I have to admit that probably the best shark bait in the world is a yellow, bullet shaped object, with a tail fin, and splashing fins in the middle, that smells like bait fish   Which is why I would like to stay away from the GWS areas, for now.

Everyone, thanks for the warm welcome     I'll be depending heavily upon everyone for advice, as I have no idea where to start.  The biggest hook in my tacklebox is the size of a dime   I'll be trolling the past posts for various lures to buy, but probably won't know which one to use when and where, and how to work it.  I just picked up the Trevala 7ft rod that everyone seems to love, and I have to admit it is pretty cool, though with a 16' yak I'm not sure I'll be able to get this rod around the bow and stern without a good reach.

I just picked up the Trevala 7ft rod that everyone seems to love, and I have to admit it is pretty cool, though with a 16' yak I'm not sure I'll be able to get this rod around the bow and stern without a good reach.

AI - the Trevala is a great choice......I use this rod when fishing for rockfish. IMO: you don't really need a long rod for this cause rockfish usually fight up and down the water column. For Salmon and Stripers, you may need a longer rod (to reach around the bow) cause they tend to run all over the place. I'm a very big fan of the Shimano 2 piece 8 ft. Clarus rod  It's cheaper then the Trevala and definitley (IMO) an all around rod. It's a rod that I have used for rockfish,salmon, Halibut and stripers. I liked it so much that I bought 2 - one to keep as a spare just in case Shimano discontinues it

AI Fisher,
Welcome to California!  I have an Adventure and my 7 foot rods makes it around both ends ok.  Don't worry about Great Whites, if you have an encounter and live to tell about it, you'll be famous.   

They say (Who ???...don't asked me ) that the chances are one in 11.5 million to be attacked by a shark and 1 in 36 million to be attacked by a bear.

Ken kickfish

They say (Who ???...don't asked me ) that the chances are one in 11.5 million to be attacked by a shark and 1 in 36 million to be attacked by a bear.

Ken kickfish

Hey Ken.  I hear those kind of annoying stats alot... but as we all know, it depends on the individual.  Someone who kayak fishes our coast is obviously more likely to get munched on by a shark than someone who just fishes lakes.  And so on....

For guys like us who often fish offshore and hunt in the woods.... it's not so good.

I know Chuck,

I think about it everytime I am out at Halfmoon Bay.  That is also the reason why I have a Bowie Knife taped to my knee.

I had a Braid Slammer jig tipped with squid for Rockcod and Lings.  I had a big fish hit it.  My rod went Bendo and I set the hook.  Backed the drag way off and then with the drag backed off.  The thing turned my Yak around 180 deg. in one second and cut off 65 lb. braid.

I thought is was a sealion.  But, saw nothing surface around me.  I know it was "Jaws".  Happen 2 seasons ago.

Ken kickfish

AI Fisher,
Welcome to California!  I have an Adventure and my 7 foot rods makes it around both ends ok.  Don't worry about Great Whites, if you have an encounter and live to tell about it, you'll be famous.  

Small price to pay for fame Welcome aboard AI