New kayak angler

Hello everyone! My name is JD and just moved to bay area from Maryland. I started as a bank fisherman in Rhode Island a few years back and bought a hobie passport 10.5 for fishing in the lakes in MD. When I moved across the country I brought my yak along and thought to give a try in the ocean. Boy it is different experience! Came across this forum many times when I google stuff and it has been really informative. Would love to join and learn from fellow kayak anglers! I live in redwood city area and have been to half moon bay twice targeting rockfish around the two buoys but no luck...(not sure how far I need to go out). Also, are there any good launching spots on the bay side?

Hi JD, welcome to NCKA 

Oyster point is pretty tame for the bay. You can launch at the boat docks or self launch by the steps and wind indicator pole. Halibuts are still there.

The other popular launch is the ecinal boat ramp in Alameda.

The wind normally picks up by noon so be ready when the fan turns on.

Thank you Jason!

Hi JD, welcome to NCKA 

Oyster point is pretty tame for the bay. You can launch at the boat docks or self launch by the steps and wind indicator pole. Halibuts are still there.

The other popular launch is the ecinal boat ramp in Alameda.

The wind normally picks up by noon so be ready when the fan turns on.

Welcome to NCKA JD.   

Welcome JD!

The HMB buoys get pounded a lot, as they are obvious visual markers. Bring a VHF radio and have it set to ch. 68 or 69, and you'll hear lots of chatter, some of it helpful. Google Earth actually shows pretty detailed features of the nearby reef, which helps a lot.

You can also splurge for the Navionics App as well.

What is your tackle setup? We use pretty heavy weights, 5-6oz. is common. A 2-shrimp fly rig is a good way to start, tipped with squid.

Welcome aboard JD 

Thank you! I do have a VHF radio and would love to hear some chatters haha. I just subscribed to Navionics app and still trying to figure out the in-and-outs of the app.

I used one rod with two shrimp fly/squid/2-3 oz sinker and another rod with 6oz vertical jig. Maybe it was just a quite day. Gotta keep trying

Welcome JD!

The HMB buoys get pounded a lot, as they are obvious visual markers. Bring a VHF radio and have it set to ch. 68 or 69, and you'll hear lots of chatter, some of it helpful. Google Earth actually shows pretty detailed features of the nearby reef, which helps a lot.

You can also splurge for the Navionics App as well.

What is your tackle setup? We use pretty heavy weights, 5-6oz. is common. A 2-shrimp fly rig is a good way to start, tipped with squid.

Welcome, JD.

Whereabouts in MD were you located? I lived in the Clarksville area for 7+ years, way back when, but didn't fish much there. When we moved here, it took a while for me to realize that "rockfish" had taken on a completely different meaning...

Gaithersburg, I used to go to little seneca lake a lot but also been to triadelphia reservoir a couple times where you probably more familiar with. I still don't get why MD people call striper "rockfish" haha

Welcome, JD.

Whereabouts in MD were you located? I lived in the Clarksville area for 7+ years, way back when, but didn't fish much there. When we moved here, it took a while for me to realize that "rockfish" had taken on a completely different meaning...

Gaithersburg, I used to go to little seneca lake a lot but also been to triadelphia reservoir a couple times where you probably more familiar with. I still don't get why MD people call striper "rockfish" haha

I did go to Triadelphia often but, strangely, never fished there. Most of my MD fishing was in nearby trout streams. In our part of MD, they stocked trout everywhere, even in urban areas.

Welcome JD.

You are welcome to join me anytime.

Paul

Welcome!
my daughter is in Maryland (Baltimore) and I always think it looks really fishy!

Welcome

Welcome I grew up in Bethesda. Lots of fishing options here! Still miss my blue crabs though.

Hello JD, welcome to the madness!