Aaron Welcome to BWE.
1st and most importantly go to
http://www.savecafishing.org/ and help out.
1. best rod and reel for bass, fish dont care, what ever works for you. I use a revo inshore on a Calstar 700xl
2. big hammer on warbaits jig heads have worked well for me
3. to make bait use a sabiki rig dipped in unibutter.
4.
www.BWE.com
5. yes
a CA fishing license is required for yak fishing. Be sure to know the mpa as well as the size limits.
6. cabrillo beach, newport beach, OEX sunset beach, laguna(before 1/1/12)
san clemente st. beach
7. I use a Garmin gps FF spent about $250.00 get one that has a gps built in to mark productive spots.
8. PFD, Radio, signal device,compass, bilge pump and a 1st aid kit are the basics.
9. you dont need a gaff but you never know, you do need to have a landing net though.
best of luck and be safe.