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08-20-2018, 07:51 AM
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#1 |
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Junior
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Orange County, CA
Posts: 8
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Future Yaker Needs some Help
Hi guys,
My name is Andy, I have been considering getting a Kayak for Bay/ inshore fishing in Sourthern CA, Orange County Region. Due to family commitments (wife and Kids) I haven't been able to fish a lot since 2011. Now my kids are a little bigger I finally get time for myself again. My friend who used to live in Southern CA has been recommending me to get a kayak for fishing as he thinks it's a perfect solution for me. I am a complete novice to kayak fishing and would like to seek some help. I am still shopping for my first kayak looking around craiglist and facebook marketplace. If anyone would be kind enough to show me the rope and let me tag along or meet up on their next trip in the orange county area I would greatly appreciate it. I get to learn and make new friends at the same time. Make new friends and seeking out new adventure is what's fishing about.  Thanks in advance. 
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08-20-2018, 08:20 AM
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#2 | |
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Seattle Area
Posts: 861
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Quote:
A few questions to get your gears turning the right direction.... How are you planning on transporting the kayak? How are you planning on storing the kayak? Where are you planning on fishing with this kayak? All depending on how you answer these three questions is the direction your maiden kayak voyage begins...
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08-20-2018, 08:26 AM
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#3 |
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Junior
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Orange County, CA
Posts: 8
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Hey, Thanks for the quick reply. I am doing a lot of reading at the moment.
To answer your question How are you planning on transporting the kayak? Planning to use my 2011 Highlander with kayak rack (side mounting on top of the roof) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...GMHDPJAQE37NN2 How are you planning on storing the kayak? In the Garage, I don't use my Garage to park my cars. Where are you planning on fishing with this kayak? Orange County, CA for the most part. Mainly the harbor such as newport or Dana. If someone would let me tag along I eventually would like to venture outside the break water for sheephead, calico, etc... |
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08-20-2018, 09:03 AM
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#4 | |
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Seattle Area
Posts: 861
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Quote:
 You are going to want to look for something under 80ish lbs. Car topping is a young mans game and only gets harder after a long days work paddling. It's also a lot harder to do when its breezy out (like almost every day in SoCal outside summer months.) This is also why I hate those J racks for single boat transport. For storage, garage is always best but buy yourself a bottle of Aerospace protectant anyway. It helps condition and maintain the rotomolded plastic that most higherend yaks are made of. As for when its inside the garage, build a rack, or have the yak supported upside down or sideways on the gunwale(s). These are the strongest part of molded plastic boats. Staying in the harbor and occasionally venturing outside the surf line, you can easily get away with a slower, more comfortable boat (which tend to also be less expensive.) Look at paddle boats that are in the 11.5' to 13.5' range and around 30" wide. Wilderness Systems, Jackson, Malibu, Native... all of these mfg's have great products that fit your need. How big of a guy are you, if you dont mind me asking..... |
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08-20-2018, 10:38 AM
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#5 |
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Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: San Pedro, CA
Posts: 72
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Your welcome to join me, I usually fish the harbors.
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08-20-2018, 10:49 AM
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#6 |
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Fullerton
Posts: 1,358
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Where in OC? You might have someone from this board right around the corner.
Paddle as many models as you can. Go to demo days. Go to tourneys & meet ups to get an idea for rigging. Then narrow down what models you are considering. Search the forums on "newbie" and you should get a ton of hits. Ask lots of questions, but be ready for some sarcasm & sh!t talk. Better to ask what some would consider a dumb question here than make a costly or painful mistake on the water. |
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08-20-2018, 11:02 AM
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#7 | |
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Junior
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Orange County, CA
Posts: 8
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Quote:
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08-20-2018, 11:01 AM
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#8 | |
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Junior
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Orange County, CA
Posts: 8
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Quote:
I am looking at the widerness tarpon, malibu X13, hobie mirage, 3 waters big fish 105, etc... I am 5'9", 200 pounds (last i checked) |
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08-20-2018, 11:22 AM
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#9 | |
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Seattle Area
Posts: 861
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Quote:
All great boats. Tarpon is more paddle based than fishing based. It's faster than say a Ride, Radar, or ATAK, but less stable. If I remember correctly it also has a fixed seat, so its less adjustable as well. For your size (I'm about the same, but a tick heavier) I'd look for something with a wider base. You'll thank yourself after a long day on the water. Malibu are SUPER stable boats but weigh a ton. I'm also not as big of a fan of the materials they use in their mfg and finishing process. I've fondled quite a few and actually owned an X-Caliber for a hot minute. It was the most stable platform I've ever fished off of (and I've been on a lot of paddle yaks) but it was an absolute pig. So, sooo heavy. Excellent choice if you've got a second set of hands, and olympic lifting background, or a lift-assist system on your vehicle. Or a trailer.... Big Fish 105.....I'd try to stay closer to 12' or 13' boat. That way its more comfortable to fish off of and its safer on big water if you choose to venture out. There is a reason Ocean specific kayaks are longer than 13'.....  Like I mentioned above, you and I are about the same build. 12-13' and about 30" width is going to make you really happy and comfortable.... |
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