Ready for HMB tomorrow!

I got my kayak last weekend and spent the week preparing and getting it registered (powered kayak).  Tomorrow, I plan for the maiden outing at HMB.  I just finished getting it loaded and strapped down to my car so I don't need to worry about that in the morning.

I can't wait for tomorrow!  Being a newbie to all this, I'll likely spend my time inside the harbor and depending on the conditions may try practicing self rescue before venturing out further.  Mainly want to get familiar with the kayak and do a little fishing.

Brian

Awesome, i'll be at HMB tomorrow too (pillar point). Mine went out on its maiden voyage a couple weeks ago and this will be my third outing... hoping to get to the green can (I think about a mile south of the harbor). Let me know if you want to meet up or want some eyes while you practice self rescue.

Let me know if you want some eyes while you practice self rescue.

Awesome!  I'll probably be launching from the shore where HMB Kayak company is, maybe around 8 am.  I'm guessing there are not too many kayaks with registered CF numbers so I should be easy to spot.  My name is Brian if you see me!

Congrats on the new yak. Make sure you have all the necessary safety equipment, especially a vhf and dress for immersion. Be safe out there and I hope you get some fish.

Looks like south wind tomorrow. Be cautious if you do venture out the harbor.

It was windy today, after getting comfortable inside Pillar Point harbor, I tried venturing out a bit but decided not to go too far.  While trolling inside the harbor I did manage to hook twice on pretty good size halibut.  Unfortunately they got loose when trying to land them.  The first one got unhooked right at the water surface.  The second one made it into the kayak, but I underestimated how feisty these fish are, while flopping around inside the kayak it got unhooked and flopped back into the water, all I was left with was a hand full of fish slime  .  It was a great day and can't wait to get back out in a couple weeks.

Congrats on your first outing and good job on playing it safe. Halibut are def feisty fish. I’ve beat the crap out of them and had them wake up 30 minutes later. Hope to see you on the water some day. 

Congrats on your first outing and good job on playing it safe. Halibut are def feisty fish. I’ve beat the crap out of them and had them wake up 30 minutes later. Hope to see you on the water some day. 

scares the everloving crap out of me when they wake up and flop in the back of the boat, or next to the boat on the stringer.

Nothing like a good handful of slime, been there done that.

Glad to see That there are other Old Town predator mk on here...
Mine is Camo Green...w/ CF#s as well...
Thinking about heading out Sat Aug 1 from HMB kayaks in the am...
First outing for the year and have had a bad itch to fish salmon...
Our boats can handle the bigger swells, but for someone new know your limits and skills...be equipped with safety gear..
Hope to see all of you out there sometime...

I'm planning on trying my little Hobie i9 tomorrow out of HMB for the first time. It's been fine at Alameda, now I want to see how it does just outside the harbor. Probably launch around 8:30/9 am. How far out for rockfish? Or should I just target Halibut over the sand?

I'm planning on trying my little Hobie i9 tomorrow out of HMB for the first time. It's been fine at Alameda, now I want to see how it does just outside the harbor. Probably launch around 8:30/9 am. How far out for rockfish? Or should I just target Halibut over the sand?

Have you actually looked at the conditions at HMB tomorrow? It doesn't look safe for an experienced kayaker, let alone a new kayaker on an inflatable. 4'@6 sec primary, plus a secondary and tertiary swell and double digit wind speeds.

All this plus dozens and dozens of big power boats flying out of the jaws and kicking up massive wakes to get to that BFT bite

Be careful. good luck if you go. Hope you have safety gear and someone with you to help.

Thanks for the reply...
Yeah I had checked it after I posted...too excited to just go fish!
After looking at MSW I have decided not to go since it would be a solo trip...
Yup...took a kayak ocean safety class...paracord in vest...Paddle float...mini air horn in vest...two vhf...even stuff two pool noodles into the inside storage...
Safety first!

I'm planning on trying my little Hobie i9 tomorrow out of HMB for the first time. It's been fine at Alameda, now I want to see how it does just outside the harbor. Probably launch around 8:30/9 am. How far out for rockfish? Or should I just target Halibut over the sand?

Have you actually looked at the conditions at HMB tomorrow? It doesn't look safe for an experienced kayaker, let alone a new kayaker on an inflatable. 4'@6 sec primary, plus a secondary and tertiary swell and double digit wind speeds.

All this plus dozens and dozens of big power boats flying out of the jaws and kicking up massive wakes to get to that BFT bite

Be careful. good luck if you go. Hope you have safety gear and someone with you to help.

MSW is saying 2.5' to 3'. I figured I could stay in harbor if conditions dictate. Mirage drive helps.

Conditions were not bad at all today. Decent swell, I did not go to the buoy but mostly stayed within 500 yards or so of the harbor entrance. Landed my first Hailbut - barely legal at 22.5" . Lost one other on barbless rig. Interesting fish - like hauling a log until you get the net on them and then all hell breaks loose.