New to kayaking, love some advice!

The Green Can is the Channel Marker (Buoy).

Santa Cruz Harbor is a long paddle to get out to the Rockcod holes.

Only done Moss Landing for Salmon.  Fish Capitola, but only on a boat. Done Davenport for rockcod.  Davenport is good.  But, if the fog rolls in then it is very hard to see the beach.  There are breakers on both sides of the landing beach.  Surfers are usually surfing the southern one.

VHF no license.  Cha. 69 is what we used.  Most guys get the Uniden Voyager because it is small.  Most VHF have a range of 3-5 miles.

There are a few otters in Half Moon Bay, also.  Read, somewhere that the little guys are making a comeback.

Ken kickfish

Welcome to the group!  I have an 06 Outback...seems like there are more and more of us peddlers out there.    Definitely get used to the yak before trying the more challenging launches.  One of my favorite launch sites is Stillwater Cove (Carmel)...since rockfish season opens in a week <dancing> it'd be a good place for you to get some easy experience in an area with lots of fish.

I'm also a newbie and Hobie guy, and appreciate the advice above.  I also plan on coming to the HMB Derby, and this might be my first time in the open ocean.  I have the same questions as above.  What hook types and sizes, sinkers, leaders, baits, etc to use.  Maybe I should also just head to FW, say "kayak fishing", and hand them my wallet?  I think I am close to heading out for my first outing.  I have yak, pfd, pole.  Working on car rack, still need to get a vhf, and currently have no appropriate tackle.

Hey AI!  When/Where do you plan to launch your first time on the ocean?  Been looking myself, still really haven't gotten a good idea as to where to go   This Saturday I am thinking of hitting a South Bay lake like lexington to practice.  Something I just want to try is flipping over the boat while close to shore to see how hard it is to get back in.  Even thought that maybe I should see what its like if yack is filling up with water, and open a hatch and flood it to see if it sinks.  But dont really want to spend the time cleaning it afterwards lol! 

I too need to get just about everything I will need for salt water fishing.  Have cheap rods I used to pier fish with, but think I wanna see what a mooching rod would be like to fish with.  Got some good ideas on tackle from the posts in this thread and others, but I still have no real clue what I am going to get.  Hope to get a small assortment to try out basically. 

Hope to see you out there!

Lexington is too deep, with too quick a dropoff for hullie and re-entry practice.  For that, I go to Ed Levin park nearby.  While it's only a tiny pond, the East end has a very shallow area with gradual slope.  Otherwise, Lexington is my practice lake.  Just not for flipping and re-entry.

As for my first surf launch, I'm not sure where I'll try first.  Since I just changed kayaks, I want to learn my new vessel and get comfortable with it before trying a surf launch.  Then, I may follow Frank's advice and take a surf launch class first.  If you want to sync up for a class together, just PM me.

If you need new gear (and who doesn't!?)  you should head to the no-tax sale at Fisherman's Warehouse in San Jose.  You can save some $$, get good advice on what you'll need, and meet a lot of the NCKA guys who inevitibly show up to this sale.  (Heck, they show up to just about any special event at FW...I think Mooch may even sleep on a cot in the back room) 

I think Mooch may even sleep on a cot in the back room) 

speaking of "cot"....does anyone have one that I could borrow? I need one to put my kayak on so I can get people to sit on the yak (easily) and pretend to go through the motions of paddling.

( FrankSwimming comes to mind )



Danglin

Since some folks seem to want me to change my handle,I thought I would chime in and introduce myself as Frankfishing before you get started on Frankswimming :} I too am a Hobie peddler and really enjoy my Revolution in Lakes and calm water where I personally fill these Kayaks are best suited and can't be beat. Currently I am demoing other Kayaks for Ocean fishing. Although I may not be politically correct in saying this but take it from someone who has been on our coastal waters with the Hobie. Plainly said DON'T.
You guys are entering the realm of some extraordinary people that are generally caring and helpful so you won't hear them trash talk any particular Kayak. But if you want distance on the Golf links from the tee I would pull the 1 wood not a sandwedge.
If you want PM me and I'll be more candid of my almost 1 year of experience with this product. Also understand that I have only been Kayak Fishing for 9 months total and a more experienced Kayaker probably would not have made my mistakes in our Northern California Oceans because the more experienced Kayakers do not paddle/pedal these type of crafts in these waters. Just my personal opinion no more or less.
Oh, I did one thing right! I hired a Top Gun in this sport for my first Ocean Launch and it paid off BIG TIME Again just a suggestion that if you can afford one of these crafts that you cannot afford not to take a lesson from those in the sport.

Just my personal opinion...

Sincerely, Frankfishing aka Frankswimming

speaking of "cot"....does anyone have one that I could borrow?

Why not whip up a couple stands out of PVC Pipe? Since my cart is made out of 1 1/2 PVC, I'm going to make up a matching stand for the front, for outfitting and  storage purposes. Currently I'm just using a recycling bin as a rest for the front end of the boat.  My back is giving me a lot less grief now that I'm working on an elevated kayak.

Regards,
Scott

Why not whip up a couple stands out of PVC Pipe?

....coz they break when you put a heavy weight champ (like myself) on it 

Welcome to the board!  I'd second comment on hiring a guide for your first trip to the salt.  Fishing with a good experienced friend that will watch you is another alternative.  You'll likely learn several things on that trip that will save you time and lost equipment.

I've only test paddled a Hobie Outback, but it (like most kayaks) should be fine in the ocean, conditions permitting.  If conditions are rough with large swell and lots of wind, you probably shouldn't launch regardless of kayak. 

In my experience, the biggest downside of the Hobie is snagging kelp with the peddles.  Another is the weight which makes it more difficult to car top and carry when accessing some rocky launches.  Finally, I've lost a couple jigs and sinkers to the gaping "yakgina" (hole where the pedals fits).  None of these negatives are show stoppers, IMO. 

On the plus-side, their products seem well made and well thought out with good features and accessories designed for fishing. 

Good luck and I hope to see you on the water - Kevin

....and speaking of Hobie's, here's a question for the Hobie guys...

1) when surf launching, do you keep the pedal drive attached or do you take it off and store it somewhere.....and if you store it somewhere.....where?

2) same as question as # 1 but when Landing on surf.....

3) what's the weight of the adventure and the outback - with the pedal dive on it?

4) How much are they? An estimate is fine...

Since some folks seem to want me to change my handle,I thought I would chime in and introduce myself as Frankfishing before you get started on Frankswimming :}

Or, we could just call you "BOB"

1) when surf launching, do you keep the pedal drive attached or do you take it off and store it somewhere.....and if you store it somewhere.....where?

I actually keep it in and make sure to pick up the bow enough to give it clearance. I keep the blades flat against the hull so they don't hang up. I like to do this so when I've gotten a little ways out I can give myself an extra burst of speed paddling and peddaling through the surf.

2) same as question as # 1 but when Landing on surf.....

I strap the pedal back (so the blades stay flush against the hull) and leave the drive in. I jump out when there's only a few feet of depth left. Since Hobie's are terrible in the surf the last thing you want to do is stay in the yak and risk flipping when you beach.

3) what's the weight of the adventure and the outback - with the pedal dive on it?

The Outback weighs about 65-70 lbs. with the drive.

4) How much are they? An estimate is fine...

Flippin' pricey!! I got super lucky and found someone who just wanted to get rid of theirs (she won it in a raffle and said it was just taking up space in her garage  ). Got it on the major cheap @ $500  . But retail is about $1500.

Z

....and speaking of Hobie's, here's a question for the Hobie guys...

1) when surf launching, do you keep the pedal drive attached or do you take it off and store it somewhere.....and if you store it somewhere.....where?

2) same as question as # 1 but when Landing on surf.....

3) what's the weight of the adventure and the outback - with the pedal dive on it?

4) How much are they? An estimate is fine...

1. & 2.  I expect to launch and land with pedal stored/strapped at most places with a shore break.  I'm not yet comfortable knowing how much is hanging down there to get snagged or smash in shallow water.  Don't want to get hung up at a crucial time.  The Adventure paddles pretty well so it is no problem getting out w/o the pedals.

3.  It feels more than the 62lbs listed on the website.  I think the pedals weigh 6-7lbs, but it kind of irrelevant because you'll carry them separately from the yak.  One thing for sure - the drive doesn't float!

4.  I think the Adventure lists for $1800 or so.  I got a deal, too (not like Zee's but still pretty good).  If you have to replace the pedal drive your out another $400-500.