Anchor Bay ?

I've been reading a whole lot posts here learning quite a bit.  I haven't got a yak yet but will before the end of the year.  I'm looking at the Hobie 12' Pro Angler.  So far I haven't found anything I like better.  I'll be using it mostly up in the foothill lakes.  New Melones, Tulloch, Hogan, Comanche, Pardee, etc...  I do however try to make a trip every year to Anchor Bay.  I have a question regarding AB.  When I've been there I see lots of people taking yaks out but never a pedal yak.  I'm sure they do but I'm thinking this is so because of kelp or something. Do any of you folks go there?  Any tips?  I've also read many posts about safety and such and there are lots of post on what to wear.  Wet suits are what I'm reading, but I've seen many people at AB not wearing them.  Could this be because it's so close to shore? I'm thinking if a wet suit is in the picture I might have to scale down on the yak.  Thanks for your help...
 

Congrats on your impending kayak ownership !

There's a big difference between what you MUST do and what common sense and self-preservation say you SHOULD do. Kayaking is no different. You will hear different opinions around here and you've obviously seen varying approaches on the water, but as a group, we take safety very seriously.

If you're in the ocean, you should plan for the worst case scenario ... ending up in the water and potentially getting separated from/unable to get back on your kayak. This means a wetsuit or drysuit to keep you warm(ish) until you can get to safety.

As far as pedal vs paddle there, I think it's more to the fact that paddle kayaks are more prevalent than pedal so you see more of them everywhere. If you scroll through the reports on here, you'll find plenty of pedal kayakers frequenting the Sonoma and Mendocino coasts.

If you're in the ocean, you should plan for the worst case scenario ... ending up in the water and potentially getting separated from/unable to get back on your kayak. This means a wetsuit or drysuit to keep you warm(ish) until you can get to safety.

I often see kayakers fishing the ocean who are wearing blue jeans and sweatshirt, without any radio or other safety gear. So, that's something you can do, but definitely not something you should do...

Definitely dress for immersion and buddy up have the usual pfd and radio.
Side note, there are 2 pretty active seal haul outs there.....had my first paddle with the "man in the gray suit" there with 3 other people.

I live up the road across from the AB Campground. To answer your questions, yes a lot of folks use pedals here. I wish there was more kelp, but something like 93% of it is gone now. Still, paddles are cheaper, but if you can afford it, by all means get peddles too. Of course, you should still have a paddle to launch and land and for when the pedals break (Murphy was an optimist). As mentioned above, wear a wetsuit or some other means of not dying if/when you fall in. Secure your stuff for the same reason.
VHF Radio is important too, so a buddy can tell you what’s biting and where, not to mention summoning help! The campground office has a base station, but I forget what channel they monitor, probably 9. Check with Tessa. It would be a good idea anyway, to let her know, as their radio could also be off... PM me if you want a fishing buddy!

Dan

In my group, we fish there upwards of 10 times a year, and one of the guys has a hobie. He usually drops his peddles in less than 50 yards from shore. The fishing grounds are well out of the kelp at anchor bay. You can try fishing the cove itself, but it really isn’t productive. As was stated above, a wetsuit is a must. Pay the $10 to have Fred or Chris take your yak down to chicken cove and have a good time.

if you are going to Anchor Bay, do not go cheap on your wheels, you have a rocky way to chicken cove and the cheap ones will brake. go wheeleez.

How is it getting to chicken Cove when the tide is up? The last time I tried it I barely made it.

How is it getting to chicken Cove when the tide is up? The last time I tried it I barely made it.

Get there @ low tide.   

-Kiel

How is it getting to chicken Cove when the tide is up? The last time I tried it I barely made it.

exactly like that, more difficult. you will need two people to lift the kayak.

Thanks for all the input. With a wet suit and a VHF I may not end up with the Hobie, but I will have something. I'm finally gonna retire on January 3rd and plan on having the yak within a couple weeks. I'll spend some time up the hill at Tulloch learning how to drive it and by spring or early summer I'm headed to AB. I'll take you up on that offer Duckguy since this will most likely be my first trip to the ocean. I do have a nice Navarro canoe, which I might sell here, I've been using for 30+ years so I think I'll catch on pretty quick but a fishing buddy in the ocean sounds like a good idea to me.. 

what is it about the pro angler that you like more than the revo or the outback?  I know if you were looking for a revo or outback the price would be a little less.

a wetsuit and a VHF ( very needed for the ocean ) ran me $200 for both together.

Have you been looking at used hobies, or specifically new ones?  There's amazing deals from NCKA members sometimes on a used kayak, sometimes with all the accessories you ever wanted to put on.

when I was looking for a hobie, I thought I wanted a PA-12 for all the cool features it has, but decided on an Outback for weight and price, then I actually got out on the water and really don't have any use for most of the features from the PA at all.

The main reason I was looking at the Hobie 12' PA was the chair.  It was so much more comfortable and easier to get in and out of than the others.  I am looking for used now...lol  I went to the Hobie shop in Stockton to check them out and they had a used 14 ' PA that was cheaper than the 12' but that thing is heavy. I'm kind of a big guy too. 6'3" @ 240 so I want something pretty stable. I may end up looking for a used Outback. I looked at a used Feel Free I think it was called, but found out it was made in China.  I rather not...

Oh, now that I look at it that chair does look pretty nice!  the arm rests look like it might make it easier or more difficult to get in/out of though.

I got a used 2016 outback from another NCKA member, It's really pretty stable, I haven't tried to stand up on it, and I have almost tipped it over before, but that was my first time ever on it, fell out self rescued, and it was pretty darn stable for my 6'1 200# self.

the 2015+ models with the new seats are really comfortable.  possibly not as much as that PA though.

If you'll be fishing mostly lakes 90% of the time, I'd go with the Pro Angler.  I used to have a PA that I only used in freshwater and it was great for that!  I actually miss it now.  You can still use your PA in the ocean, but can be a bitch to pedal against strong current and wind since it is a bit beefier than some of the the hobie kayaks.