Newbie Ocean Kayak Locations

Inspired by ekanjpn's post, I'm wondering where some good newbie locations are for getting some ocean kayak fishing experience? I'm very comfortable in fresh water, but I'm looking for a spot my buddy and I (both with little to no ocean experience) can gain ocean experience. I have a PA12, so gentle surf launch or boat launch locations preferred.

Thanks all!

HMB is pretty easy for launching...just watch out for boats and shallow reef areas if you venture outside the harbor.

HMB is pretty easy for launching...just watch out for boats and shallow reef areas if you venture outside the harbor.

second that.
I went there for my maiden voyage. At the time I didn’t know how to read ocean weather so it was rather dangerous. Another thing is the swell on the right side as you exit the jaws into the open ocean. It’s easier if you just keep going East before turning South.
And finally, the bay has currents and IMHO is more dangerous than HMB.
Go with someone and start small.
Good luck!

+1 HMB and all the advice given so far.
 If I can echo Tedski when I first started:
  In the harbor near the HMB yacht club is an excellent place to practice self rescue. Stand up on the yak, Rock until you flip, practice flipping the yak from the water, get back on, do it again.  Better to learn there than outside jaws. It was fun, kinda sucked but I'm glad I did it.
 The Bay is tricky. Wherever you go, bring or meet a buddy, have a plan and safety gear & dress for immersion.  Good luck!

Thanks for the recommendation all. Is the crab opener a bad time to test the waters at HMB? Am I better off waiting a bit for the crowds to die down?

The closer it is to the golden gate bridge the more dangerous the current is. Last weekend the current went from 0.2 to 1.9 mph in less than 20 mins on a not so big tides flip near Alcatraz.

Santa Cruz harbor


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Consider hiring a guide for your first trip(s) out.  Bushy in Santa Cruz, Adam in Monterey, Kyle up in Sonoma... 

With the potentials in this sport - for both good fortune and bad - you should use your time wisely.

Best of luck.

Bolinas at high tide  jk don’t do that. Doran, Tomales bay, HMB, Monterey

Thanks for the recommendation all. Is the crab opener a bad time to test the waters at HMB? An I better of wait a bit for the crowds to die down?

Yes, bad idea. Too many boats for a first ocean outing. Doran is another good place to start. Launch from the jetty day use area and you won't have to go out through the inlet. Usually, very calm launch. If you go to the left, south, there are few power boats to contend with.

Santa Cruz harbor


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I second this. SC is very easy for newbies. Usually less wind and swell than HMB and less worry about getting run over by a boat coming in/out of the jaws.

HMB is pretty easy for launching...just watch out for boats and shallow reef areas if you venture outside the harbor.

Just to add a bit of a warning here, you should definitely take a look at the wind and waves forecast before paddling outside of the harbor.   The winds typically start picking up around lunchtime.   When I was a beginner, I didn’t pay attention and got caught paddling against the wind for over two hours trying to get back into the harbor.  I learned my lesson that day.   I now always pay attention to the wind forecast and make sure to paddle back in before the winds pick up.   

Probably obvious, but I am a newbie... Do you actually fish in the SC harbor, or is that the launch spot to head into Monterey Bay? Thanks all for the advice! I think I'll stick to freshwater for just a bit longer while I figure out my strategy for getting comfortable in the ocean.

Santa Cruz Harbor is great, and easy
Monterey behind the Monterey Bay Kayak near the harbor is great
Half Moon Bay
Doran, off the beach next to the Jetty
Albion River Campground

just slightly more challenging
Fort Ross
Timber Cove

heading out with a guide, or tagging along with other NCKA'ers is a great way to go to - build up your confidence.
the upcoming crab opener should be a good opportunity to meet up with others in the group.

enjoy!
Brian.

Probably obvious, but I am a newbie... Do you actually fish in the SC harbor, or is that the launch spot to head into Monterey Bay? Thanks all for the advice! I think I'll stick to freshwater for just a bit longer while I figure out my strategy for getting comfortable in the ocean.

U seem to have correct approach.  Put a premium on ur ocean shakeout paddling w full gear b4 u go out on a meat run.  As ull find, hauling up an ornery n toothy lingcod on a yak is different than just paddling on the salt.

Ive been out w newbies before and saw them experience everything from going for a swim, lost rods, vomiting to broken windows.  You wont regret taking a measured and graduated approach