Newbie - Looking to get into saltwater kayak fishing

pee bottle...that's what scupper holes are for

I thought scupper holes were for #2...

 I think for Big Jim...

Wow, you guys are awesome! Thanks for the extensive list Paul!

Looks like anything 12ft or more should be good for the ocean and I should go with a pedal vs paddle. Thoughts on Hobie vs Old Town? I've had people recommend both to me.

Noted on the pee bottle 

I am in a similar situation as you, my first year and just getting into it... bought an Old Town Sportsman 120 PDL and couldn't be happier with the choice. Cheaper than an Outback and was easier to get a hold of (Outback is by far the most common thing I see out in the places I fish). I did a TON of reading and video-watching before settling on the Old Town... from what I can see, the biggest advantage to the Outback is the ability of the mirage drive to glide over weeds/kelp. If you do a lot of freshwater fishing in heavy vegetation I'd definitely think about getting an Outback. It's annoying to get kelp caught in the PDL drive, but honestly rarely happens to me as I'm not typically cruising right through kelp anyway, but sticking around the fringes of it.

The auto-reverse capability of the PDL/prop system is really great, and I love the longer warranties offered by Old Town. Seems like the yak and drive are built like tanks too. Some Hobie owners report reliability/maintenance issues with the mirage drives, but others never seem to have probs... so YMMV. If you have money to spare though, you certainly can't go wrong w/an Outback either, there's some value to having the same thing that most others have.

The only other yak I *might* consider if I were to start all over would be the Old Town Salty 120 PDL. Mostly the same as the Sportsman 120 PDL, but it gives up some stability (you won't want to try standing up on the Salty like you can with the Sportsman) in exchange for better top speed and gliding over the water. But I'm not a long distance guy anyway (most of my trips top out at 4 miles round trip so far) and I enjoy the extra stability of the Sportsman.

Welcome to the Madness  Shore pound is fun, but boy once you get out in open water, it's a whole different ball game!

Needless to say, I'm a complete noob when it comes to kayak fishing so I would appreciate any advice and/or tutorials/videos to help me get up to speed. A few things I'm currently trying to figure out:

• what size kayak do I need? Should I go pedal or paddle? What about boat weight (it's just me)?
• what other gear do I need?
• safety advice? what conditions to look for? Is pillar point harbor a good place for beginners or should I start somewhere else? any tips on where to go?
• is there a class you'd recommend or am I better off learning through YouTube videos?

Size of Kayak, Pedal or Paddle, Boat weight = The Holy Trinity of selecting a Kayak   

Depends on Your size, what You want to fish for, and how Your going to haul it to the water for the most part. 

For ocean fishing, I suggest nothing less than 12ft, and for me I like 13ft or more.  I'm a Big Guy, and like both peddle and paddle.  So I need something that supports my weight, plus fish, plus gear, and then isn't too heavy for the places I want to launch.  If that is a dock in a marina, or down a long steep hillside, you might care more for one type vs. another.  Drive a V8 or a Prius, you might want a different type of yak.  Get what you want first that meets your needs, and type of fishing you want to do.  Maybe you want to target bass in the summer, and crabbing in the winter, you might like a big and stable boat.  Maybe you want to chase salmon and launch at the harder beaches to access good waters, then you probably want the lightest and longest one you can get.  Best advice is to do research, rent or borrow if possible, and finally pull that trigger on something you will enjoy. 

Safety gear, there is a ton of info on the site.  Best to invest more in the safety gear than on your fishing gear when your getting started.  Use whatever you have already for fishing, and get out there with the right equipment.  Have fun! 

Welcome to the madness Jonathan