Newbie Thread

[Nic D]

I'll take #1

parking is found on the closest streets. Make sure you check for street sweeping signs. Never leave anything in the back of your truck, just ask Jim.

As long as you have decent driving skills and your'e 98.6 then driving on the sand to unload you kayak and gear should not be a problem. Just drive slow as to not piss off the life guards and keep your momentum if you have a 2wd.

[dsafety]

Originally Posted by Tamarack Studios

I'll take #1

parking is found on the closest streets. Make sure you check for street sweeping signs. Never leave anything in the back of your truck, just ask Jim.

As long as you have decent driving skills and your'e 98.6 then driving on the sand to unload you kayak and gear should not be a problem. Just drive slow as to not piss off the life guards and keep your momentum if you have a FWD.

Tamarack Studios mentioned the street sweeping signs which lead to what we lovingly call "Parking Ticket Thursdays". Two weeks every month, you cannot park on the street near the launch on Thursdays before 11 AM. Failure to remember this is a $45 fine. I have learned this lesson and paid the fine... I am not alone. Since you can't see the signs in the dark, it is a good idea to know about them in advance.

None of the other posters mentioned making bait. This is part of the routine. You need to be able to catch macs, (with a Sabiki), or squid. There are lots of posts on this forum which will educate you on how to catch and keep bait. Use the search feature.

Someone touched on safety but it should be mentioned again. Always wear a PFD, even if you are a great swimmer. Bad things can happen out there and if you are miles from home with no one around, it is important that you are able to keep floating until help arrives.

Bob

[Whizz Bang]

When I started out I spent hours, countless hours, untold hours wearing out my search engine. Anything and everything you are wondering about has been covered in this site. Kayaks....covered, techniques...covered....tackle....covered....rods. ..covered.....making bait....covered. This is for you, do it yourself.....there is tremendous satisfaction in this, trust me.

Post script
....#4-pedal!!!!

[m1k3midg3]

technically you need a cf number even if you have an electric motor but they dont really care. i had an electric motor on my zodiac before i got a gas one and the dfg came around to check our fishing license but they didnt say anything about not having a cf number. flourocarbon is a type of fishing line that has almost the same refractivity (yea i know thats not a word) as water which makes it almost invisible almost water. if you are willing to spend the money get blackwater flourocarbon

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...=263602_263622

[cowboybill]

One cardinal rule, is Always avoid the trolling area behind other kayaks!!

And boats to for that matter, but due to the speed diff, I have not found this to be a problem...

If I cant see a line as I get near a yak, I always ask if they have a line in the water!!

And of all the hobbies I have experienced, fellow Kayakers seem to be the friendliest bunch...

A friend said thats because were all so crazy to be out in the ocean on a plastic stick, we need to watch out for each other!

Cowboybill

[StinkyMatt]

I am also a new kayaker, not new to fishing. Been in the sport a couple of months. My two cents is, buy your gear used, there are incredible deals on this website and possibly craigslist. My original plan to get into a "cheap" kayak for about $500 quickly went out the door... I am well past 1500 bucks and the FF was the only new thing I bought. Watch your wallet so wifey wont put on the clamps!

REALLY learn a lot about making bait, you don't want to spend all day fishing for macks! Better yet make a friend at the launch that does not mind you tagging 50 yards from him to catch bait at a mark he finds.